Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, Falsification of a Log is a Felony.

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, falsification of a logbook is a felony. 18 U.S.C. § 1001, states, in part, as follows: "(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both."

This applies to use of any falsified document or writing required by the federal government, not just those required by FMCSA rules. Note the words "of, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism" is simply providing for enhanced criminal penalties." In other words, the statute covers all falsification of documents required by the federal government. Penalties increase for documents relating to terrorist acts. The maximum penalty for each act of intentional logbook falsification is 5 years imprisonment.

 

I don't disagree with you that is the culture of the industry. I simply wished to inform drivers of the potential legal ramifications of falsifying a log.

 

There was no point except to inform drivers who submit false logs that there could be serious ramifications and not just some out of service order.

 

The culture in many dispatch offices is criminal. Not all drivers commit felonies because not all submit logs knowing they are false.