Obstruction Of Justice: An Intentional Effort To Interfere With Government Investigation Or Prosecution Of Crime Or Enforcement Of The Laws

Several federal statutes provide for the crime of obstruction of justice.  The federal obstruction laws are generally codified at 18 U.S.C. section 1501 through 1520.  The catch-all clause of 18 U.S.C. § 1503(a)—the most-commonly-charged obstruction statute—prohibits an individual from “corruptly … endeavor[ing] to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice.”

Several of the more prominent obstruction statutes are listed below:

  • 18 U.S.C. 1505 (obstruction of pending Congressional or federal administrative proceedings)
  • 18 U.S.C. 1512 (witness tampering)
  • 18 § U.S.C. 1503 (omnibus clause)1

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