Hopewell Borough Obstructing the Administration of Law Attorney
Law enforcement does not appreciate it when someone attempts to interfere or prevent the police from investigating a case or making an arrest. Regardless of whatever your reasons may be for trying to interfere with what the officer or investigator is doing, the police are most likely going to arrest you and charge you with obstructing the administration of law. Charges involving obstructing the administration of law or justice are very serious and are heard by the Hopewell Borough municipal court. The obstructing the administration of law lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have an extensive history of helping individuals prepare a strong defense when facing these types of charges. Do not delay in contacting us by calling 609–683–8102 for a free initial consultation with one or our experienced attorneys today.
What Exactly is Obstructing The Administration of Law?
When disagreements arise between individuals and the police, it often results in charges of obstructing the administration of law or justice. Obstruction of the law involves interfere with how law enforcement conducts itself, while obstruction of justice involves interfering with how a legal proceeding is properly conducted. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1, someone is guilty of obstructing administration of law or other governmental function by two means: obstruction or hindrance.
- Obstruction charges. Obstruction is a broad charge that covers a wide range of actions by the defendant and depending on the severity of the offense obstruction can either be a disorderly persons offense or a fourth degree criminal offense. At its heart, obstruction is charged when someone purposely obstructs the administration of law, or prevents a public servant, such as law enforcement, from performing his or her official duties. Obstruction can be facilitated through flight of the defendant (i.e., the defendant runs from the police), intimidation (i.e. the defendant threatens the police or a witness), force (i.e., the defendant disarms a police officer or blocks a police officer’s path with an obstacle during a pursuit), or any other unlawful act.
- Hindering charges. Hindering charges are a little narrower in scope than obstruction charges and depending on the severity of the offense, hindering can be charged as a minor disorderly persons offense or as a more severe third degree criminal offense. Someone can be charged with hindering if they are involved in:
- Aiding a person’s escape from law enforcement.
- Concealing or harboring an individual who is wanted by law enforcement.
- Tampering with a witness.
- Hiding or concealing evidence in an investigation.
- Providing law enforcement or an investigator with false information.
Many times obstructing the administration of law cases comes down to comparing the defendant’s story of the events that took place to the police officer’s story of what took place – and the two often vary greatly. As these cases often come down to your word against the police officer’s word, it is incredibly beneficial for you to be represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney who has a long history of handling cases just like yours.
Contact An Experienced Obstructing the Administration of Law Defense Lawyer
If you or loved one has been charged with obstructing the administration of law or justice in the form of either obstruction or hindrance charges, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your situation. The criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have multiple decades worth of experience handling obstruction of the administration of justice cases and we are available to help you with your defense too. Our lawyers will scrutinize the facts of your case and will prepare your strongest possible defense strategy in light of your particular circumstances. Please do not hesitate to give us a call at 609–683–8102 for a free consultation about your situation with one of our skilled attorneys.