Interference with the Reporting of a Crime
Elements
• A person who, with the intent to commit, conceal, or aid in the commission of a crime, knowingly or intentionally interferes with or prevents an individual from:
(1) using a 911 emergency telephone system;
(2) obtaining medical assistance; or
(3) making a report to a law enforcement officer;
commits interference with the reporting of a crime, a Class A misdemeanor.
Example from case law
• [T]o convict [the defendant] of interference with the reporting of a crime, the State was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that [the defendant], with the intent to commit the commission of a crime, knowingly or intentionally interfered with or prevented [the victim] from calling 911. [The victim] testified that when she was in the kitchen attempting to call 911, [the defendant] pushed her against the back door, yelled at her, and tried to take her phone. [The victim] also testified that when she ran into the living room to call 911, [the defendant] followed her and pushed her over the arm of the sofa. [The victim] tried to call 911 for ten minutes but was unable to do so because [the defendant] was lying on top of her, holding her arm, and pulling her hair. In addition, when [the defendant] testified, he denied that he forcibly tried to take the phone from [the victim's] hand but admitted that he tried to stop her from calling the police. From this evidence, the trial court—as the factfinder—could have reasonably found that [the defendant] interfered with or prevented [the victim] from using a 911 emergency telephone system. Accordingly, we conclude that probative evidence existed to support [the defendant's] conviction for class A misdemeanor interference with the reporting of a crime . . . .
Mathis v. State, 859 N.E.2d 1275, 1281-82 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007)