Obstructing the Administration of Law

Obstructing the Administration of Law Attorneys Evesham NJ

Interfering with a Police investigation can cause a great deal of problems. Specifically, providing false information to law enforcement officers can result in criminal charges for Obstructing the Administration of Law. Whether you are being accused of providing misleading information or hiding evidence, you could be charged with either a disorderly persons offense or fourth degree indictable offense at the Burlington County Superior Court. If you or a family member are facing criminal charges for Obstructing the Administration of Justice, call an experienced Burlington County Criminal Lawyer today.

If you or a loved one were issued a complaint summons or complaint warrant for a criminal offense like Obstructing the Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest, Theft, Simple Assault, Assault by Auto, Criminal Mischief or Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, please contact our office at (609) 850-8284. Proetta, Oliver & Fay is a criminal defense law firm the defends the accused throughout New Jersey. Firm Partner and Former New Jersey Deputy Attorney General, William C. Fay, Esq., leads or Criminal Practice Group. If you would like a complimentary consultation with Mr. Fay, please call our office today. We are available 24/7 for your convenience.

Obstruction Lawyers in Pemberton NJ

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1, “A person commits an offense if he 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 intimidation, force, violence, or physical interference or obstacle, or by means of any independently unlawful act.” 

What does this mean? Well, essentially the State must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. The Defendant committed an act of intimidation, force, violence, or physical interference or obstacle;
2. That the act was committed for the purpose of either: (a) obstructing, impairing, or perverting the administration of law or other governmental function; or (b) preventing a public servant from lawfully performing an official function; and
3. That in committing the act, the defendant did or attempted to either (a) obstruct, impair, or pervert the administration of law or other governmental function; or (b) prevent a public servant from lawfully performing an official function

What are the Penalties in NJ for Obstructing the Administration of Law?

The penalties for a criminal offense of Obstructing the Administration of Law will differ depending upon a variety of factors. These factors include: (1) defendant’s prior criminal history, (2) degree of the defendant’s criminal charges (fourth degree or disorderly persons offense), and (3) whether there are other additional charges. Looking at the degree of the charges, New Jersey sentencing guidelines and N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1 state that fourth degree criminal charges for Obstructing the Administration of Law carry up to eighteen (18) months in a New Jersey State Prison, probation, criminal record and a $10,000 fine. However, if you are convicted of a disorderly persons offense for Obstructing the Administration of Law, you will be subject to up to six (6) months in the Burlington County Jail, probation, a criminal record and a $1,000 fine. 

Am I Eligible for PTI if I am Charged with Obstruction of Law?

There are multiple diversionary programs offered by the courts in New Jersey. For indictable criminal charges, certain defendants may be eligible and admitted into the Pretrial Intervention Program, commonly referred to as PTI. This program is subject to various restrictions and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s discretion. Alternatively, for non-indictable misdemeanor cases handled by the local municipal court, certain first-time offenders may be eligible for the diversionary program known as Conditional Dismissal. If you believe you or a family member are eligible for one of these programs, please contact our office at (609) 850-8284. 

Mount Laurel NJ Obstruction of Law Attorneys

As is demonstrated in the information above, criminal charges for Obstruction should be taken seriously. Depending upon the nature of your charges, you could be facing up to eighteen (18) months in jail and a felony criminal record. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges at the Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly or a municipal court like Evesham, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, Pemberton, Florence, Maple Shade, Bass River, Southampton, Moorestown, Willingboro, Westampton, Bordentown, Burlington Township, Riverside or Delran. For more information about your pending case or to obtain your complimentary consultation with firm partner, William C. Fay, please call (609) 850-8284. Do not hesitate to reach out with any concerns you may have about your case.