Filing a false police report is a crime! Anyone who knowingly makes a false report is guilty of a misdemeanor per 148.5 (a) of the California Penal Code.If you have any questions, please contact us in writing (U. The appeal process is complicated and difficult to navigate. Call our team of California criminal appeals lawyers for a FREE consultation. Call a San Diego false imprisonment defense attorney at (760) 630-2000 for a free consultation and take the first step towards securing your future. False imprisonment is a misdemeanor crime in California. False imprisonment is a crime in California under Penal Code 236 PC. It is defined as "the unlawful violation of the personal liberty of another person." School's do not allow people to wander the halls looking for their children. By filing a complaint with the police department, you can demand the officer face repercussions for their false arrest.