Unsworn Falsifications; Defined & Punished

A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if, with intent to mislead a public servant in performing his official function, he makes, submits or uses: (a) any written false statement of his own which he does not then believe to be true; or (b) any physical object, exhibit, writing or drawing which he knows to be either false or not what it purports to be in the circumstances in which it is made, submitted or used. SOURCE: G.P.C. §§ 115a, 116, 430; See also §§ 429, 537; M.P.C. § 241.3; *Cal. § 1041 (T.D. 3, 1969); Mass. ch. 268, § 3; N.J. § 2C:28-3. COMMENT: Section 52.30 makes criminal false statements which are written, but unsworn, made with intent to mislead a public servant. This Section would include under its scope the presentation of a friend's valid driver's license as the defendant's own; and written complaint to the police which is false and the writer believes them not to be true.