What is Obstruction of Justice?
Obstruction of justice is defined as the interference with the administration and due process of law. Obstruction of justice is a very broad area of law that includes many unlawful acts, such as:
- Interfering with a criminal investigation
- Interfering with a criminal proceeding
- Interfering with an arrest
- Giving false statements or information
- Lying to a law enforcement officer
- Falsifying, hiding, destroying, or tampering legal documents
- Falsifying, hiding, destroying, or tampering evidence
- Threatening or attempting to influence a witness or juror
- Threatening a person for helping police or for operating in a police investigation
- Bribing a law enforcement officer, judge, witness, or juror
Defense for Obstruction of Justice in New Jersey
Obstruction of justice is serious offense that both judges and law enforcement officials will not take lightly. Officers of the law, including judges, police officers, detectives, prosecutors, court officials, etc., need to able to work without interference. They have a responsibility to society to make sure all possible steps have been taken to address and handle these cases to the best of their ability. When an individual interferes with that process, he or she will be charged with obstruction of justice.
Penalties for Obstruction of Justice in New Jersey
In the majority of cases, obstruction of justice is tried as a felony offense (a crime). If the prosecution can prove that you influenced, or attempted to influence or interfere with the administration or due process of law, then you will be convicted of the charges. A criminal conviction will result in a number of penalties, including time in prison, stiff fines, community service, probation, a mark on your permanent record, and more.
Bergen|Hudson|Passaic|Essex County Obstruction of Justice Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with obstruction of justice, you must contact an experienced defense attorney right away. New Jersey criminal defense lawyer Rafael Gomez has defended countless clients facing these types of charges, and knows how to approach cases of this nature. Mr. Gomez will sit down with you to review your charges, discuss your best options, and address your questions and concerns. In the courtroom, Mr. Gomez will present a strong defense, and aggressively challenge the prosecution’s arguments. Above all, Mr. Gomez is concerned with protecting your rights and helping you avoid a criminal conviction.
If you are facing charges for obstruction of justice, do not put your future at risk by entrusting your case to a novice attorney. Let NJ obstruction of justice defense lawyer Rafael Gomez use his skills, resources, and expertise to help you overcome your charges!
In New Jersey obstruction of justice is covered under N.J.S. 2C:29-1.
2C:29-1. Obstructing administration of law or other governmental function 2C:29-1. Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function. a. A person commits an offense if he purposely obstructs, impairs or perverts the administration of law or other governmental function or prevents or attempts to prevent a public servant from lawfully performing an official function by means of flight, intimidation, force, violence, or physical interference or obstacle, or by means of any independently unlawful act. This section does not apply to failure to perform a legal duty other than an official duty, or any other means of avoiding compliance with law without affirmative interference with governmental functions.
b. An offense under this section is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor obstructs the detection or investigation of a crime or the prosecution of a person for a crime, otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.
Contact Bergen|Hudson|Passaic|Essex County Obstruction of Justice Defense Attorney today by Calling (201) 646-9799. |