Is It a Felony to Lie to the FBI? 2024

When you are being investigated by federal investigative agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, you are expected to be completely and totally transparent with them. If they believe you are deceiving them, the consequences could be severe. Whether you are the subject of the investigation or not, you are expected to be honest with law enforcement. Answering whether it is a felony to lie to the FBI can help you stay away from unnecessary legal trouble.

Lying To the FBI

It is a felony to lie to the FBI. There are certain exceptions to the rule, but lying to the FBI can result in felony charges under certain federal statutes. These laws exist to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations. Making false statements with the intention of misleading federal agencies in the performance of their duty can be perceived as a federal crime.

If you are charged and found guilty of the crime, you could face significant penalties, including fines and time in prison.

If you are concerned that you may have inadvertently lied to or misled an FBI agent in the performance of their duty, you may want to speak with a criminal defense lawyer who can help you decide on what your next steps should be.

When Lying Is Not a Crime

There are certain situations in which lying to the FBI may not be considered a crime. It is important to avoid lying to federal agencies, but there are some instances where false statements may not mean criminal prosecution. It is vital that you understand these distinctions if you ever find yourself facing criminal charges for lying to the FBI. These instances may include:

• You must knowingly make a false statement that violates federal law. Intent is everything. The crime stems from the fact that you intentionally misled federal agents with the intention of messing with their investigation. If you made a false statement due to confusion of the facts or being misled yourself, you may not be criminally liable.
• Your false statement must be relevant and material to the case being investigated. It is only a crime when you intentionally misrepresent material facts that are relevant to the case. If you are lying about where a suspect may be located, that’s a crime. If you lie to the FBI about how many pets you have, for instance, that’s not.
• If the questions being answered are outside the jurisdiction of the federal agency in question, your answers may not be considered legally prosecutable.

While these instances may not be criminally prosecuted, it is important to be as honest as possible. If you are questioned by the FBI, you should have an attorney present. If facts are misleading or confusing, you should ask for clarifying details to provide an honest answer.

Proving a False Statement

To prosecute you for making a false statement, the FBI must first prove that the statement you made was not only false but intentionally false. It can be difficult for the government to secure a conviction for a false statement case as they must prove your willingness to disrupt the investigation beyond a reasonable doubt. They will need to prove that your statement was:

• Absolutely false
• Made because of a matter that falls under federal jurisdiction
• Made of your own volition
• Made with dishonest intent

If you are accused of lying to the FBI, you need to seek the help of a criminal attorney who can help defend you from such accusations.

FAQs

When Did Lying to the FBI Become Illegal?

Lying to federal entities became a crime with the passing of the False Claims Act of 1863. Since then, it has been a federal crime to lie to the FBI and other federal investigative agencies. While the federal statute for making false statements has evolved since then, the overall point of the act remains the same. Lying to the FBI with the intent of disrupting an ongoing investigation is illegal and can result in federal criminal charges.

Is Lying on a Federal Application a Felony?

No, lying on a federal application is not considered a felony. It depends on the specifics of your lie, the intent of the lie, whether it was simply carelessness or forgetfulness, and whether the company suffered harm because of it. If you falsify documents, lie about your professional licenses, or lie about your academic credits, you could face some legal issues because of it. It can be a crime to mislead federal authorities in any way.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Lying to the FBI?

The statute of limitations on lying to the FBI is five years. The clock starts ticking on the day that the false statement is made or the false document is submitted. The main intent of the statute of limitations is to keep defendants from having to continuously defend themselves from charges that occurred so long ago that evidence may no longer be available, and their memory of the case may not be viable.

Is It Illegal to Lie to the Government?

It is illegal to lie to the United States government. Not all lies, however, are considered equal in the eyes of the law. The government is largely only interested in prosecuting lies that are made to federal authorities during an ongoing investigation and can have serious ramifications on said investigation. The severity of the consequences of that lie depends on how the lie impacts the case.

If You Are Concerned, Speak with a Lawyer

Whether you intentionally misled a federal agent or unknowingly provided a false statement, realizing you provided false information can be a difficult legal process. These charges can likely raise more questions. When you need the answers, you need the help of a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer.

The legal team at The Law Offices of Richard Kuniansky can provide you with quality legal assistance in fighting these charges. We can help you figure out the potential penalties, work to try to lessen your charges, and protect your interests throughout this case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.