Obstruction of justice is when someone tampers with the legal process, intentionally interfering with a court case, investigation or any other legal proceeding. Essentially, this means interfering in the legal system’s operations and preventing the justice system from doing its job and allowing the system to dispense justice.
Obstruction of justice can take many forms, and the consequences vary depending on whether the obstruction occurs in a criminal or civil court. Generally, people accused of obstruction of justice face serious charges and can be sent to jail or face hefty fines if convicted.
Modern Examples of Obstruction of Justice
In recent years, obstruction of justice has been in the news in the context of U.S. political scandals. In particular, obstruction of justice has famously been part of the case against President Donald Trump and his associates. The 2017 special counsel investigation found evidence that Trump and his associates attempted to impede and obstruct the work of the U.S. Department of Justice and the investigation by the special counsel probe.
Other recent examples of obstruction of justice include former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich’s attempts to illegally sell Barack Obama’s former Senate seat for personal gain. Blagojevich was convicted of 17 counts of corruption, the most serious of which was obstruction of justice. Just recently, former Trump’s campaign chair Paul Manafort was convicted of obstructing justice by tampering with witnesses during his 2018 trial
Serious Consequences of Obstruction of Justice
Obstruction of justice is often charged as a felony and can carry hefty jail sentences. In the current U.S. legal system, the punishment for a conviction of obstruction of justice can range from probation or house arrest to up to 25 years in jail. Obstructing justice can also carry hefty financial penalties, such as fines upwards of $100,000.
If your business is facing charges of obstruction of justice, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer who can protect your rights and ensure a fair legal process.