Mich. Law Targets 'Swatting' Prank
Michigan's Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation targeting "swatting," where pranksters make 911 calls that result in tactical units responding to fake emergencies.
Michigan's Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation targeting "swatting," where pranksters make 911 calls that result in tactical units responding to fake emergencies.
The laws, which take effect Jan. 1, empower judges to force those convicted of falsely reporting a crime or medical emergency to reimburse the government. They also will make it a crime to intentionally make a false report of a crime or emergency, reports MLive.com.
Making such a report would be a misdemeanor but could be a felony if the false report results in an injury. If someone dies as a result, the caller could get up to 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
The FBI estimates these pranks cost about $10,000 each.
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