Minnesota criminal defense lawyers know that interfering with emergency calls is a stern crime. It is a charge that law enforcement, judges, and prosecuting attorneys take very seriously. According to Minnesota law, 911 interference occurs when a person intentionally:
- Interrupts, impedes, interferes with, or disrupts an emergency call
- Prevents or obstructs another from placing an emergency call
911 Interference
In these cases, the “interference” must be intentional and the call must be the result of a legitimate “emergency.” An emergency call can mean any of the following:
- A 911 call
- Any call for emergency medical (ambulance) services
- Any call for assistance from a police or fire department or for other assistance needed in an emergency to avoid serious harm to a person or property
911 interference is oftentimes very subjective, and comes with a lot of complications. For example, what happens if you thought there was an emergency and dialed 911 but no actual emergency exists? What happens if you accidentally dialed 911? Can you still be convicted for 911 interference under these circumstances?
Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorneys
911 interference is a serious criminal charge, usually a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a $3,000 fine. This crime stays on your permanent record, and will most likely be seen by potential landlords and employers. Emergency services exist to help those in need. Disrupting or interfering with these services means potentially putting the lives of others at risk. If you are charged with 911 interference, your best option is to contact an experienced Minneapolis criminal attorney as soon as possible.
