What is the outcome for anyone who reports a false emergency that leads to death or great bodily injury?

The outcome for someone who reports a false emergency that results in death or great bodily injury is classified as a felony. This classification reflects the serious nature of the action, as falsely reporting emergencies can divert vital resources and jeopardize public safety. When a false report leads to significant harm or fatal consequences, the legal system imposes harsh penalties, emphasizing the severity of the crime. The rationale behind treating it as a felony is to deter individuals from making reckless or deceitful emergency calls that could harm individuals or communities. The classification of felony comes with more severe consequences, including longer imprisonment terms and a more extensive impact on an individual's criminal record compared to lesser charges such as misdemeanors or infractions.

In contrast, lesser charges like misdemeanors typically involve minor offenses and carry lighter penalties, while an infraction is usually a minor violation that results in fines rather than criminal charges. A civil lawsuit could arise from the incident, but it would not address the criminal nature of the false report itself.