Trenton Obstructing the Administration of Law Defense Attorney

A charge in Trenton for obstructing the administration of the law, commonly referred to as obstruction of justice, is a serious offense that comes with a variety of penalties. Depending upon the circumstances surrounding the offense and your prior criminal history, you can face anything from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth degree felony indictable crime. If you were charged with obstruction in Trenton it is important to contact a capable defense attorney at your earliest opportunity so that you have the greatest chance of averting a conviction.

Here at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, you can find a team of attorneys with the skills required to fully protect you. We are former prosecutors and highly accomplished criminal lawyers that have practiced in Trenton Municipal Court for over a century. There certainly is an attorney on our staff who can effectively defend you. To secure the advice you need concerning your obstructing the administration of law offense in Trenton, contact our lawyers at 609–683–8102.

Trenton Obstructing Offense in Trenton New Jersey

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1, anyone who commits the act of purposefully impairing or perverting the administration of the law or other government functions can be charged with obstructing administration of law. The language of the law is broad and covers a wide variety of actions that obstructing the efforts of police and other law enforcement officials. The charge becomes a felony when the action interferes with the investigation of a crime or impairs law enforcement from prosecuting a crime. Police and other government officials often file charges for obstructing the administration of justice without hesitation if they believe that their ability to complete an arrest or conclude an investigation is being impacted. These charges sometimes leave an individual at the mercy of the perceptions of the police who have filed the charges. While some classic examples of obstruction include lying about names, ages, and whereabouts to avoid arrest it is possible for a person to be charged for obstruction for asking too many questions or refraining from answering certain questions in order to protect their privacy. Regardless of the reasons for your charge, the lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are prepared to help you build a defense.

Being charged with obstructing the administration of law requires that the prosecution prove your state of mind. They must prove that you intentionally and purposefully interfered with an investigation by obstructing, impairing, using flight, intimidation, or even violence. If it is proved that you are guilty of obstructing a prosecution you are convicted of a disorderly persons offense. If the obstruction occurs creating an obstacle for the detection or prosecution of a crime, then the offense is a felony.

The penalties associated with a disorderly person offense for obstruction include a fine of up to $1,000.00. Depending on the situation a term of up to six months in county jail may also be imposed. If the crime is found to be fourth degree grade obstruction the fine is raised to up to $10,000.00 and it is possible to be imprisoned for up to 18 months. In both situations the convicted individual will have a permanent criminal record that can make it difficult for them to gain employment, especially if they are convicted of a felony.

Trenton Obstructing the Administration of Law Lawyer

Obstructing the administration of the law in the City of Trenton is nothing that you should take lightly. If convicted of either a misdemeanor or a felony it could be difficult for you to get a job in certain industries, cause difficulty when you attempt to move to properties that require background checks, and cause you to be scrutinized if you are ever charged with a crime in the future. Hiring a lawyer that is familiar with the City of Trenton municipal court and experienced in criminal defense is the best thing you can do to protect your future. Contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall today to schedule a consultation.