Use Of 911 Number Unlawfully
Being charged with misuse of 911 is a serious crime.
First time offenders face prosecution in General Sessions court, and a six month sentence in the Department of Corrections. The law for this offense is contained in S.C. Code § 23-47-80.
It establishes unlawful 911 communications to include calls such as:
- Using profanity
- Calling to bother or harass the dispatch or the police
- Making a false report to dispatch
- Calling and hanging up (usually repeatedly)
We have represented several clients over the years who have been charged with this offense.
Our client’s situations usually fall into one of three categories:
- Clients who suffer from some sort of mental illness (including delusional disorders, schizophrenia, or severe depression);
- Clients who are drunk or are on drugs; and
- Situations in which our client was misidentified as being a problematic 911 caller (they arrest the wrong person).
Our goal on these cases is to assist our clients with avoiding jail or prison sentence, and when possible, in clearing their name. Because these cases are brought in General Sessions, it is highly recommended (if not required) by the court that the defendants retain a lawyer. Individuals without lawyers are not processed by the court at this level as they would at lower levels (i.e. Traffic Court).
We will begin every case by obtaining copies of all relevant documentation, including the actual recording of the 911 calls. We then can assist in preparing whatever defense is most appropriate, including screening for mental health issues or a false-identification or other defense. Possible resolutions for these charges including pre-trial dismissals, reduced charges, sentencing agreements, and pre-trial intervention (PTI).
For more information on how we can help defend a charge of Use of 911 Number Unlawfully, please call us today at (803) 359-3301.
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