Hightstown Obstructing Administration of Law Lawyer
Have You been Accused of Obstructing Administration of Law in Hightstown? Fight the Charge with the Help of a Hightstown Obstructing of Administration of Law Defense Attorney.
The offense of obstructing the administration of law or justice has not uncommon in Hightstown. Numerous individuals are arrested and charged with this violation in the Borough for attempting to flee the police, dispose of drugs before they are detected (e.g. swallow marijuana, cocaine, MDMA or heroin) or other conduct that is allegedly intended to hinder or obstruct an arrest. If you are facing this charge in the Borough of Hightstown, a defense attorney on our staff is well equipped to represent your interests. Here at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we can provide representation by a team of criminal attorneys that have been appearing in the municipal court in Hightstown for decades with over a century of combined experience. A lawyer who has extensive knowledge with your charge and the court system is ready to assist you immediately by calling 609–683–8102.
Obstructing the Administration of Law Offense in Hightstown
Obstruction of Administration of Law is found under the New Jersey statute N.J.S.A 2C:29-1. It makes a person guilty of obstructing, impairing, stopping a public servant from doing their official duties. It is also illegal to attempt to stop, impair or obstruct them.
A person accused of obstructing administration of law cannot be convicted based on words alone. They must attempt to or actually impede, obstruct, interfere or stop the public servant by use of any of the following:
- Physical interference
- Force
- Violence
- Flight
- Intimidation
- Unlawful act
The statute also makes it illegal to attempt to or actually hinder, stop or obstruct an investigation or detection of a crime. A person can also be charged if they try to stop a prosecutor from investigating an individual for a crime.
Ways an Obstructing Administration of Law Charge can Happen in Borough of Hightstown
An individual can be charged with obstructing administration of law when they allegedly do one of the following:
- Resist arrest
- Physically try to stop a police officer from arresting someone
- Hinder the apprehension of another individual
- Eluding arrest
- Tampering with evidence
- Impersonating an officer
- Hindering the prosecution
Penalties for an Obstructing Administration of Law
If an individual is convicted of this obstruction charge, they can face penalties based on a disorderly persons offense or fourth degree felony charge. A disorderly persons offense is a misdemeanor charge that is resolved in Hightstown Municipal Court. Conviction of this charge is six months in county jail and $1,000 fine.
A fourth degree charge is usually for crimes like trying to impeding prosecutor or fleeing from police. If convicted of the fourth degree felony, a person may be sentenced to 18 months in prison. Other penalties may include:
- Restitution to a victim involved in the crime
- Loss of driving privileges
- Court cost
- Safe Neighborhood Assessment of approximately $75
Hightstown NJ Obstructing Administration of Law Defense Attorneys
You were accused of trying to stop or actually stopping police or prosecutors from doing their official job. There important thing is that you still have an opportunity to make sure you are not convicted and hiring a skilled defense lawyer can be instrumental in achieving this goal. The former prosecutors at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are attorneys with the qualification to help you secure a dismissal or downgrade so that a criminal conviction and penalties are avoided. An attorney is available to assist you immediately in a free consultation at 609–683–8102.