TITLE 18

CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

CHAPTER 67

COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY

18-6711A.  False alarms — Complaints — Reports — Penalties — Civil damages. (a) Any person calling the number "911" for the purpose of making a false alarm or complaint and reporting false information which could or does result in the emergency response of any firefighting, police, medical or other emergency services shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to a fine of not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or to a term of not to exceed one (1) year in the county jail, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(b)  In addition to the criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this section, civil damages may be recovered from the person so convicted in an amount of three (3) times the amount necessary to compensate or reimburse the complainant for costs incurred, losses sustained or other damages suffered in receiving, acting upon or responding to the false alarm, complaint or report. If the person so convicted is under the age of eighteen (18) years of age, the parent having legal custody of the minor may be jointly and severally liable with the minor for such civil damages as are imposed. Recovery from the parents shall not be limited by any other provision of law which limits the liability of a parent for the tortious or criminal conduct of a minor. A parent not having legal custody of the minor shall not be liable for civil damages imposed hereunder.

History:

[18-6711A, added 1990, ch. 133, sec. 1, p. 306; am. 2005, ch. 359, sec. 10, p. 1136; am. 2012, ch. 257, sec. 3, p. 709.]