Robbinsville NJ Obstructing the Administration of Law Attorney

Obstructing the administration of law, or commonly referred to as “obstruction of law” or “obstruction of justice” is a serious criminal offense with potentially severe ramifications. A conviction for obstructing the administration of law can result in consequences that are devastating to your future. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you can be fined, put on probation and even imprisoned for up to 18 months. The best proactive decision you can make if faced with a charge of obstructing the administration of law is to retain a skilled attorney. The attorneys at the criminal defense firm of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can help you. Our team of attorneys has over 100 years of combined experience dealing with obstructing the administration of law and related offenses. If you or a loved one has been charged with obstructing the administration of law in Robbinsville Township, please do not hesitate to contact our office for a free consultation with a highly skilled lawyer.

Obstructing the Administration of Law Offense in Robbinsville Township

There are variety of circumstances to which an individual may be charged with obstructing the administration of law. Obstructing the administration of law is covered under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1 whereby an individual has violated the law if he/she:

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.

Material Elements. For you to be convicted of this offense, the state must prove three material elements. First, the state must prove that you either obstructed, impaired or perverted the administration of law or governmental function, or prevented or attempted to prevent a public servant from performing an official function. Second, it must be proved that you acted with the purpose to obstruct or prevent. Third, it must be proved that you employed intimidation, force, violence, physical interference or some other independently unlawful act.

Penalties. The penalties for obstructing the administration of law differ depending on the circumstances of your case. Typically, obstructing the administration of law is a disorderly person’s offense that is dealt with in Robbinsville Municipal Court. The penalties for this grade of obstructing include a maximum fine of $1,000 and the possibility of up to 6 months in the county jail. Obstructing the administration of law is enhanced to a 4th degree crime if “the actor obstructs the detection or investigation of a crime or the prosecution of a person for a crime.” A 4th degree conviction for obstruction or hindering results a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in prison.

Robbinsville Obstructing Charge Defense Lawyer

The penalties for obstructing the administration of law can be extremely damaging to an individual’s permanent record, future job opportunities, and even freedom. If you have been arrested for obstructing the administration of law it is important that you hire a skilled attorney to begin crafting your defense. Our team of criminal defense lawyers at the Law offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have decades of experience defending obstruction charges and will gladly assist you with any questions you may have. Contact us for a free consultation with a lawyer at 609–683–8102.