What does obstruction of justice charge mean?
It is defined as any attempt, in any manner, to obstruct, pervert or defeat a judicial proceeding. Trying to bribe a judge, lawyer, peace officer, court official or witness could constitute obstruction of justice. Paying or trying to pay a judge, a juror or a police officer is obstruction.
What is the word obstruction of justice?
18 U.S.C. § 1503 defines “obstruction of justice” as an act that “corruptly or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, influences, obstructs, or impedes, or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice.”
What are two synonyms for obstruction?
synonyms for obstruction
- blockage.
- hindrance.
- interference.
- bar.
- barricade.
- barrier.
- block.
- blocking.
What is another word for obstruction?
In this page you can discover 47 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for obstruction, like: block, circumvention, difficulty, obstructer, blocking, hindrance, disturbance, obstructed, checkmate, obstacle and roadblock.
Is obstructing justice illegal?
Legal overview Obstruction has been categorized by various sources as a process crime, a public-order crime, or a white-collar crime. Obstruction can include crimes committed by judges, prosecutors, attorneys general, and elected officials in general.
Is obstruction a serious charge?
Obstruction is considered a serious crime as law enforcement and prosecution teams view it as an interference.
What type of crime is obstruction of justice?
Obstruction of justice, in United States jurisdictions, is a crime consisting of obstructing prosecutors, investigators, or other government officials. Common law jurisdictions other than the United States tend to use the wider offense of perverting the course of justice.
What is common law obstruction of justice?
Is lying obstruction of justice?
Lying. Anyone who lies to authorities when questioned in the course of a criminal investigation commits obstruction of justice.
What would be considered as obstruction of Justice?
There are many actions that can be considered obstruction of justice, including verbal actions , such as threatening a judge or encouraging a witness to give a false testimony, and physical actions , like destroying evidence and intimidating a juror. The federal law, and many state laws, regarding this crime is relatively broad.
What is obstruction of Justice by definition?
Obstruction of Justice. The term “obstruction of justice” refers to any action that a person willfully takes to obstruct, or hinder, the administration of justice. Obstruction of justice occurs when a person offers false information, or otherwise takes some action that frustrates an investigation or other legal process.
What is the penalty for obstruction of Justice?
The range of penalties for obstruction of justice vary, depending on if the crime was committed at the federal or state level. Additionally, the penalty will vary based on the severity of the offense. Penalties for obstruction can range from simple fines to a jail sentence, which is typically for five years.
Is obstruction of Justice a felony?
Obstruction of justice is a felony charge and penalties can include a fine, up to five years in prison or both.