Federal crimes: Understanding what obstruction of justice means
Most people will go through their entire lives without ever facing allegations that they engaged in the obstruction of justice. However, it could happen to you, perhaps without you realizing what is happening. If it does happen to you, it is wise to mount a strong defense to preserve your freedom and your way of life.
We have all heard the term obstruction of justice in television crime dramas, but what does it mean? In simple terms, it is a serious federal crime that occurs when someone interferes with authorities like police officers or federal agents who are attempting to perform their duties. Examples of obstruction of justice include the following.
- Getting in the way of those performing criminal investigations
- Interfering with or intimidating witnesses, informants, or victims of a crime
- Attempting to influence law enforcement officers or jurors in a trial
- Injuring police officers, investigators, or jurors
- Retaliating against informants, witnesses, or victims of a crime
Our defense lawyers realize how ambiguous the examples above seem. To be more specific, here are a few examples of ways a person might engage in obstruction of justice.
- Lying to police officers or federal investigators
- Trying to bribe the police or federal personnel
- Tampering with evidence in a federal investigation or trial
Because obstruction of justice is such a broad federal crime, it is possible to face legal trouble even if you did not knowingly attempt to interfere with the justice system. For example, say that a friend asks you to lie about his or her whereabouts on a particular date. It seems pretty innocent to you, but if your friend is involved in a federal investigation, you may face obstruction charges if your lie interferes with the justice system.
We encourage you to learn more about federal crimes so that you may avoid accidental involvement in any form of obstruction. Continue reviewing our website for additional information.
