The police report is wrong — what to do
Police reports get written fast, from memory, sometimes days later — so errors are common. If the report doesn't match what happened, here's how to handle it the right way.
Get your own copy and read every line
Request the full report. Read it slowly and mark every statement that's wrong, out of order, or impossible given the timeline.
Separate facts from conclusions
There's a difference between what the officer observed ('the vehicle was in the intersection') and what they concluded ('the driver was at fault'). Conclusions stated as facts are fair to question.
Find the internal contradictions
Often the report contradicts itself — a time that can't be right, a sequence that can't have happened, a statement that conflicts with the officer's own diagram or notes.
Gather what proves your version
Photos, video, witness contacts, timestamps, medical records — anything that supports your account of what actually happened.
Request a correction the right way
Many departments have a process to add a supplement or correction to a report. You usually can't erase an officer's account, but you can get your documented version on the record — or bring the inconsistencies to your attorney.
Don't spot it all alone
Upload your police report and ScrubMyCase flags every one of these automatically — in plain English, with the exact quotes. Free preview.
Scrub my documentQuestions
Can I get a police report changed?
You typically can't force an officer to change their account, but you can submit a correction/supplement and, if it matters legally, raise the inconsistencies through an attorney. This is informational, not legal advice.
What's the fastest way to find the contradictions?
Upload the report to ScrubMyCase — it lays the narrative on a timeline and flags every internal contradiction and unsupported conclusion automatically.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney.