Obstruction of Justice

Criminal obstruction of justice happens any time a person attempts to obstruct, interfere with or otherwise impede an official investigation or prosecution. If your actions interfere with or impede a case, you could be facing an obstruction of justice charge. Depending upon the unique circumstances of your individual case, you could be facing misdemeanor or felony obstruction charges. In some cases, you could be looking at up to five years in a federal correctional facility or longer, and that’s on top of any other charges you may be facing. If you or a loved one is facing obstruction of justice charges, you need to get with a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case.

Interfering With an Investigation

Since obstruction of justice can happen in a variety of different public and private sectors, it’s important to understand what does and does not count as obstruction. Basically, when a person knowingly interferes in any way with an official investigation or the prosecution of a crime, he or she could be facing obstruction of justice charges. Listed below are some of the more common forms of obstruction of justice.

Types of Obstruction of Justice

Destroying or Tampering With Evidence

Destroying or tampering with any kind of evidence is one of the more obvious and blatant forms of obstruction. In criminal cases especially, tampering with evidence can be an egregious and serious offense. Because the evidence associated with a case has a direct impact on whether or not a suspect is convicted, any handling, tampering or destroying of evidence can be viewed as obstructing justice.

Aiding and Abetting Suspect

Aiding and abetting a suspect can also get you slapped with an obstruction of justice charge. If you help, provide shelter or money to somebody who is under criminal investigation or suspicion, you could land in hot water. Hiding a loved one who is on the lam is obstructing justice. In some cases, simply tipping somebody off about a subpoena or investigation can be enough to get you charged with obstruction. Helping them to destroy or tamper with evidence or providing resources for them to leave town are all types of obstruction. If you’re interfering with the government’s ability to prosecute a crime, you’re likely going to face criminal charges of obstruction of justice yourself.