What Constitutes Obstruction of Justice in New Jersey?
Inhibiting the authorities from doing their job is a serious crime in New Jersey. Obstruction of justice charges may arise when someone is deliberately trying to hinder the authorities from conducting an investigation or making an arrest. It is common for individuals to make poor choices if they worry that a loved one may be arrested. It is important that a rash judgment or hasty act of defiance does not result in serious criminal penalties.
New Jersey Statute 2C:29-1 states: “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.”
New Jersey law enforcement takes obstruction of justice charges very seriously. Sometimes this crime results in a disorderly persons offense but it increases to a fourth degree crime if the actor "obstructs the detection or investigation of a crime or the prosecution of a person for a crime." These serious allegations could result in heavy fines and even jail time. Anyone charged with obstruction of justice in New Jersey would be well-advised to seek legal guidance from an attorney that has experience handling similar cases.
The knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein have many years of experience successfully handling obstruction of justice charges in New Jersey. Call our law offices today at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.
