Obstruction of Justice by State (2026)
How each state charges obstruction of justice and the maximum penalties, from each state criminal code.
| State | Obstruction of justice |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Obstructing governmental operations (using intimidation, force, interference or another unlawful act to obstruct the administration of law or stop a public servant from doing a government job) is a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year); it does not cover obstructing an arrest. Tampering with a witness (trying to get a witness to testify falsely, withhold testimony or skip a proceeding) is a Class B misdemeanor (up to six months). Intimidating a witness by threats is a Class C felony (1 year and 1 day to 10 years). Tampering with physical evidence is a Class A misdemeanor, and jury tampering is a Class B misdemeanor. Ala. Code §§ 13A-10-2, 13A-10-123, 13A-10-124, 13A-10-128, 13A-10-129 |
| Alaska | Alaska has no single obstruction-of-justice crime; several offenses cover it. Using force, threats or property damage, or offering a benefit, to influence a witness or juror or the outcome of an official proceeding is interference with official proceedings, a Class B felony (up to 10 years, up to $100,000). Inducing a witness to testify falsely, withhold testimony or skip a court proceeding is tampering with a witness in the first degree, a Class C felony (up to five years, up to $50,000); tampering with physical evidence is also a Class C felony. Helping someone who committed a felony avoid arrest or prosecution is hindering prosecution in the first degree, a Class C felony, or a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days, up to $2,000) if the underlying crime was a misdemeanor. AS 11.56.510, 11.56.540, 11.56.545, 11.56.610, 11.56.770, 11.56.780; AS 12.55.035, 12.55.125, 12.55.135 |
| Arizona | Obstructing governmental operations (using or threatening violence or force to knowingly hinder a public servant's government function or a peace officer's law enforcement) is a class 1 misdemeanor; it does not cover obstructing an arrest. Obstructing criminal investigations or prosecutions (using bribery, lies, intimidation or force to stop information or testimony about a crime from reaching police, a judge, a prosecutor or a grand jury, or injuring someone for giving it) is a class 5 felony, or a class 3 felony if done to help a criminal street gang. Influencing a witness by threats or benefits is a class 5 felony, and tampering with a witness (asking a witness to withhold testimony, lie, skip a proceeding or evade a subpoena) is a class 6 felony. A.R.S. §§ 13-2402, 13-2409, 13-2802, 13-2804 |
| Arkansas | Arkansas has several obstruction-type crimes. Obstructing governmental operations (for example, knowingly obstructing a governmental function, or giving a false identity to a law enforcement or code enforcement officer) is a Class C misdemeanor (up to 30 days), and a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year) when done by using or threatening physical force, or for a repeat false-identification offense. Under the current versions of the felony statutes (effective July 24, 2019): witness bribery and intimidating a witness are Class B felonies (5 to 20 years); intimidating a juror, a witness or an informant is a Class B felony; retaliation against certain informants and jury tampering are Class C felonies (3 to 10 years); tampering (§ 5-53-110(b)(1)) and tampering with physical evidence that impairs a felony prosecution or defense are Class D felonies (up to 6 years). Hindering apprehension or prosecution ranges from a Class D to a Class B felony, and interfering with a law enforcement or code enforcement officer (§ 5-54-104) is listed as a Class C felony. Ark. Code §§ 5-54-102(a), (b); 5-53-108, 5-53-109, 5-53-110, 5-53-111, 5-53-112, 5-53-114, 5-53-115, 5-54-104, 5-54-105 |
| California | Willfully resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer, public officer or emergency medical technician who is lawfully performing their duties, knowing (or when you reasonably should know) who they are, is a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 148(a), punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Knowingly and maliciously trying to prevent or discourage a witness or crime victim from testifying, reporting a crime, helping a prosecution or causing an arrest ('dissuading' or intimidating a witness, § 136.1(a)-(b)) can be charged as a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in county jail) or a felony (16 months, 2 or 3 years in state prison); it is a felony of 2, 3 or 4 years when done knowingly and maliciously by force or threat of force, for money or other consideration, as part of a conspiracy, or by someone with a prior conviction for this crime (§ 136.1(c)). Cal. Pen. Code §§ 136.1, 148(a); CALCRIM Nos. 2622, 2656 |
| Colorado | Obstructing government operations (intentionally hindering a public servant's governmental function by violence, force, physical interference or an obstacle) is a class 2 misdemeanor; obstructing an arrest is a defense to this charge. Obstructing a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical provider, rescue specialist or volunteer by violence, force, interference or an obstacle is also a class 2 misdemeanor; merely remaining silent or verbally objecting to an order is not enough. Tampering with a witness or victim (trying without bribery or threats to get them to testify falsely, withhold testimony or skip a proceeding) is a class 4 felony, and intimidating a witness or victim by threats, harassment or harm is also a class 4 felony. C.R.S. §§ 18-8-102, 18-8-104, 18-8-704, 18-8-707 |
| Connecticut | Connecticut has no single crime called obstruction of justice; it uses several offenses. Interfering with an officer (obstructing, resisting, hindering or endangering a peace officer or firefighter) is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class D felony if it causes death or serious physical injury. Tampering with a witness (trying to get a witness to lie, stay silent or skip a proceeding) is a Class C felony, and intimidating a witness by force or threat of force is a Class B felony. Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence is a Class D felony, and hindering prosecution (helping someone who committed a serious felony) ranges from a Class D to a Class C felony. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-151, 53a-151a, 53a-155, 53a-165aa to 53a-167, 53a-167a; Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a, 53a-36, 53a-41, 53a-42 |
| Delaware | Delaware has a specific obstruction of justice crime: corruptly intimidating, influencing, obstructing or impeding the administration of law or an authorized investigation or inquiry. It is a class A misdemeanor in general, a class G felony if the person destroys or hides evidence, pays someone, or breaches an official duty, a class D felony if the person uses force, violence or physical interference, and one class higher than the underlying crime when committed through another crime. Tampering with a witness (by deceit, injury or intimidation) is a class E felony, tampering with physical evidence is a class G felony, and hindering prosecution is a class G felony when the person helped is wanted for a felony (otherwise a class A misdemeanor). 11 Del. C. §§ 1244, 1244A, 1263, 1269; 11 Del. C. §§ 4205, 4206 |
| District of Columbia | D.C. has a broad obstruction of justice crime. It covers using intimidation, force, threats or corrupt persuasion to influence a juror, witness or officer; harassing someone to stop them from testifying, reporting a crime or helping a prosecution; injuring or threatening someone for giving information to investigators or serving as a juror, witness or officer; and corruptly or by threats obstructing the administration of justice in an official proceeding. Obstruction of justice is punishable by a maximum term of not less than 3 years and not more than 30 years, a fine, or both. D.C. Code §§ 22-722, 22-3571.01 |
| Florida | Florida's main obstruction crimes are witness tampering and evidence tampering. Tampering with a witness, victim or informant (using intimidation, force, threats, misleading conduct or payment to make someone withhold or change testimony, destroy evidence, avoid a subpoena, or not report a crime) is graded by the seriousness of the case affected: a third-degree felony for a misdemeanor case, a second-degree felony for a third-degree felony case, and a first-degree felony for second- or first-degree felony cases. Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence when a criminal trial or investigation is pending or about to begin is a third-degree felony (up to 5 years), or a second-degree felony if it relates to a capital felony. Fla. Stat. §§ 914.22, 918.13; Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082, 775.083 |
| Georgia | Obstructing or hindering a law enforcement officer is a misdemeanor, or a felony (one to five years for a first conviction) if done by offering or doing violence to the officer (§ 16-10-24). Threatening a witness or offering a benefit to keep a witness from testifying 'freely, fully, and truthfully' (influencing witnesses) is punished by one to five years; using intimidation, physical force, threats or misleading conduct to influence testimony or prevent reports to police is a felony punished by two to ten years, a fine of $10,000.00 to $20,000.00, or both. Tampering with evidence (destroying, altering, hiding or planting evidence to obstruct a case) is a misdemeanor in a misdemeanor case, a felony of one to three years when it involves another person's felony case, and one to ten years when it involves another person's serious violent felony case. O.C.G.A. §§ 16-10-24; 16-10-93; 16-10-94 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii has several obstruction offenses. Obstructing government operations (using or threatening violence, force or a physical obstacle to intentionally hinder a public servant or police officer, other than an arrest) is a misdemeanor; recording or photographing police in public is expressly not covered. Intimidating a witness by force or threat is a class C felony (up to 5 years), while tampering with a witness (trying to get a witness to lie or stay away) and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence are misdemeanors (up to 1 year). HRS §§ 710-1010, 710-1071, 710-1072, 710-1076; HRS §§ 706-660, 706-663, 706-640 |
| Idaho | Idaho does not have one general obstruction-of-justice crime. Willfully resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer doing official duties, or knowingly giving a false report to a peace officer, is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to one (1) year in county jail when no other punishment is prescribed. Witness intimidation (threatening, harassing or otherwise trying to stop a witness from testifying, or retaliating after testimony) is a misdemeanor in a civil case and a felony in a criminal case or juvenile evidentiary hearing; it is no defense that the witness actually testified. Destroying, altering or hiding evidence is a misdemeanor, but a felony (up to five (5) years and a $10,000 fine) when the proceeding is criminal and involves a felony. Idaho Code §§ 18-705, 18-2604, 18-2603, 18-112 |
| Illinois | Obstructing justice is knowingly destroying, hiding or planting evidence, giving false information, getting a witness to leave the state or hide, or leaving or hiding oneself while having material knowledge, all with intent to prevent someone's arrest or obstruct a prosecution or defense. It is a Class 4 felony (1 to 3 years), or a Class 3 felony when done to further gang activity. Witness tampering, called communicating with jurors and witnesses, is a Class 3 felony when someone uses force, threats, false information, or money to deter a party or witness from testifying truthfully; trying to influence a juror is a Class 4 felony. Harassing or threatening a juror or witness because of their verdict or testimony is a Class 2 felony. 720 ILCS 5/31-4, 32-4, 32-4a(a); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-35, -40, -45 |
| Indiana | Obstruction of justice covers knowingly or intentionally getting a witness or informant (by threat, coercion, a false statement or an offer of anything of value) to withhold evidence, avoid a subpoena, stay away, or lie; personally avoiding legal process or refusing court-ordered evidence; altering, damaging or removing evidence; using false evidence to mislead a public servant; or improperly contacting a juror. It is a Level 6 felony (6 months to 2.5 years). It becomes a Level 5 felony (1 to 6 years) when, during a domestic violence or child abuse case, a person bribes, threatens, intimidates or unlawfully persuades a witness not to testify or to give a false statement. Threatening a witness in a pending criminal case against the person is also Level 6 felony intimidation. Ind. Code §§ 35-44.1-2-2(a)-(c), 35-45-2-1(b)(1)(B) (IPAC compilation, Indiana Code 2022) |
| Iowa | Iowa's main obstruction-of-justice crime is knowingly destroying, hiding or altering evidence, providing false evidence or information, or getting a witness to leave the state, hide or skip a subpoena, with intent to prevent someone's arrest or obstruct a prosecution or defense; it is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to two years). Tampering with a witness, juror or person who reported a crime (through bribery, threats, restraint, harassment, assault or any other offense, to influence testimony or in retaliation) is punished one degree higher than the underlying offense, up to a class "C" felony and never lower than an aggravated misdemeanor. Resisting or obstructing a peace officer or other listed official is interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor with a fine of at least $250, rising to a felony with serious injury or a weapon. Iowa Code §§ 719.3, 720.4 (am. 2024), 719.1 (Iowa Code 2026) |
| Kansas | Kansas calls obstruction "interference with law enforcement." It includes knowingly false reports to police intended to be relied on, concealing, destroying or materially altering evidence to hinder an arrest or prosecution, knowingly obstructing or resisting someone serving court process or performing an official duty, and fleeing on foot from an officer who has signaled a stop. Most forms are a class A nonperson misdemeanor in a misdemeanor case and a severity level 7, 8 or 9 nonperson felony in a felony case. Intimidating a witness or victim (trying to stop them from testifying or reporting a crime) is a class B person misdemeanor; aggravated intimidation (with a threat of force, as part of a conspiracy, by a repeat offender, against a person under 18, or for pay) is a severity level 6, person felony. K.S.A. 21-5904, 21-5909 |
| Kentucky | Obstructing governmental operations (intentionally obstructing a government function by using or threatening violence, force or physical interference) is a Class A misdemeanor; it does not apply to obstructing an arrest. Tampering with a witness (trying to get a witness to stay away or not testify, or using false statements or fraud to affect testimony) is a Class D felony. Intimidating a participant in the legal process (using harassing communications, force or threats to influence a witness, juror or other participant, or to stop information reaching police or a judge) is a Class D felony. Tampering with physical evidence (destroying, concealing or altering evidence, or fabricating it, for an official proceeding) is also a Class D felony. KRS 519.020, 524.050, 524.040 (am. 2024), 524.100 |
| Louisiana | Obstruction of justice covers acts such as tampering with evidence, using or threatening force to influence testimony, retaliating against a witness, victim, juror or judge, and persuading someone to testify falsely, when done knowing it may affect a criminal proceeding (and, since August 1, 2025, a civil immigration proceeding or an official act of a government agent). The penalty depends on the case obstructed: up to forty years at hard labor and a $100,000 fine when the case could bring death or life imprisonment; up to twenty years at hard labor and $50,000 for other hard-labor cases; up to five years and $10,000 for any other criminal case; and up to six months and $500 for evidence tampering in certain misdemeanor cases. Witness intimidation (intimidating, impeding or injuring a witness or a family member to influence testimony) is a separate crime, punished on the same scale and by up to five years and $5,000 in a civil proceeding. La. R.S. 14:130.1(A), (B); R.S. 14:129.1(A), (C) |
| Maine | Obstructing government administration is intentionally interfering by force, violence, intimidation or any physical act with a public servant performing an official function; it is a Class D crime (less than one year in jail and a fine up to $2,000). It does not apply to simply refusing to submit to arrest. Tampering with a witness or informant (inducing false testimony or the withholding of testimony, or using force, intimidation or payment to keep a witness from testifying or attending) is a Class C crime (up to 5 years); tampering with a victim is a Class B crime (up to 10 years and $20,000). Tampering with a juror is Class C, or Class B when the case is for murder or a Class A crime. 17-A M.R.S. §§ 751, 454, 1604(1), 1704 |
| Maryland | Obstructing or impeding, or trying to obstruct or impede, the administration of justice in a Maryland court by threat, force, or corrupt means is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 5 years, a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both. Witness intimidation (harming or threatening a victim or witness, or damaging property, to influence false testimony, to make the person avoid a subpoena or stay away from a proceeding, or to keep the person from reporting a crime) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years, a $5,000 fine, or both; it is a felony punishable by up to 20 years when the case involves a felony drug violation or a crime of violence. Soliciting another person to do these acts is covered too. Md. Code, Crim. Law §§ 9-306, 9-302 |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts' main obstruction crime is intimidation of witnesses: willfully threatening, injuring, bribing, misleading, intimidating or harassing a witness, potential witness, victim, juror, judge, police or probation officer, or a family member of such a person, intending (or with reckless disregard) to interfere with a criminal investigation or proceeding, a probation or parole violation proceeding, or a civil proceeding, or to retaliate for participating in one. It is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in state prison or up to 2 and one-half years in a house of correction, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, or both. When the case involves a crime punishable by life imprisonment, the maximum is 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000. M.G.L. c. 268, § 13B |
| Michigan | Witness tampering (bribing, threatening or intimidating a witness to stay away, avoid legal process, withhold testimony or testify falsely, or willfully obstructing a witness's ability to testify) is a felony punishable by up to 4 years and $5,000; up to 10 years and $20,000 if the underlying criminal case carries more than 10 years or life; and up to 15 years and $25,000 if it involves a crime or a threat to kill, injure or damage property. Retaliating against a witness is a felony punishable by up to 10 years and $20,000. Tampering with evidence for an official proceeding is a felony punishable by up to 4 years and $5,000 (up to 10 years in serious cases). Using force to keep someone from reporting a crime, retaliating against someone who reported a crime, or threatening someone to influence a statement to police is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year and $1,000, or a felony with up to 10 years and $20,000 if it involves a crime or a threat to kill, injure or damage property. MCL 750.122(1), (3), (6)-(8); MCL 750.483a(1)-(6) |
| Minnesota | Obstructing legal process or arrest (intentionally obstructing the lawful execution of legal process or an arrest, or obstructing, resisting or interfering with a peace officer, firefighter or ambulance crew) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days and $1,000; it is punishable by up to 364 days and $3,000 if accompanied by force, violence or threats, and by up to five years and $10,000 if the person knew it created a risk of death, substantial bodily harm or serious property damage, or caused such harm. First-degree witness tampering (using force or threats to keep a witness from testifying or reporting a crime, to coerce false testimony, or to retaliate) is a felony punishable by up to five years and $10,000; aggravated first-degree witness tampering, involving great bodily harm or death or a credible threat of it, is punishable by up to 20 years and $30,000. Minn. Stat. §§ 609.50, 609.498, subds. 1, 1a, 1b |
| Mississippi | Trying by threats, force or abuse to intimidate or influence a judge, juror, witness, attorney or other court participant is punished by one month in county jail up to two years in the state penitentiary, and/or a fine up to $500 (§ 97-9-55). Intimidating a witness (threats, harassment or intimidation to change testimony or keep a witness away) is a Class 1 felony (§ 97-9-113); tampering with a witness (trying to get a witness to lie, withhold testimony or skip a proceeding) is a Class 2 felony (§ 97-9-115); retaliating against a public servant, witness or informant is a Class 2 felony (§ 97-9-127). For these offenses a Class 1 felony is punished by up to fifteen years and/or up to $5,000, and a Class 2 felony by up to ten years and/or up to $3,000 (§ 97-9-129). Resisting arrest is covered under § 97-9-73. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-9-55, 97-9-113, 97-9-115, 97-9-127, 97-9-129 |
| Missouri | Missouri has no single 'obstruction of justice' crime; several offenses cover it. Obstructing government operations (purposely obstructing a government function by violence, force, threats or physical interference) is a class B misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if the person uses violence or force (§ 576.030). Tampering with a witness or victim (using threats, force, deception or benefits to make a witness skip a subpoena, withhold evidence or testify falsely, or dissuading a victim from reporting or prosecuting) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class D felony (up to 7 years) if the original charge is a felony, and those convicted are not eligible for parole (§ 575.270). Hindering prosecution (hiding or helping someone avoid arrest) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony if the other person's conduct is a felony (§ 575.030). RSMo §§ 576.030, 575.270, 575.030; §§ 558.002, 558.011 |
| Montana | Obstructing justice in Montana means, knowing someone is an offender, purposely hiding the person, warning the person of arrest, giving money, transportation or a disguise, using force, deception or intimidation to stop someone from helping catch the person, destroying evidence, or helping the person escape; it is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison if the offender faces a felony, or up to $500 and 6 months in county jail if a misdemeanor (§ 45-7-303). Obstructing a peace officer or other public servant (knowingly hindering law enforcement or a government function) is punishable by a fine up to $500, up to 6 months in county jail, or both (§ 45-7-302). Tampering with witnesses and informants (trying to get a witness to lie, withhold evidence, dodge a subpoena or skip a proceeding) is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison, a fine up to $50,000, or both (§ 45-7-206). MCA §§ 45-7-303, 45-7-302, 45-7-206 |
| Nebraska | Obstructing government operations (intentionally obstructing or impairing the administration of law or a government function by force, physical interference, breach of official duty or another unlawful act) is a Class I misdemeanor; it does not cover simply fleeing or refusing to submit to arrest without affirmative interference (§ 28-901). Obstructing a peace officer by using or threatening violence, force or physical interference is a Class I misdemeanor (§ 28-906). Tampering with a witness or informant (trying to get a witness to lie, withhold evidence, dodge a subpoena or stay away) is a Class IV felony, but a Class I misdemeanor if the pending criminal case is a Class II misdemeanor or lower, and a Class II felony if the pending case is a Class II felony or higher; jury tampering and tampering with physical evidence are graded the same way (§§ 28-919, 28-922). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-901, 28-906, 28-919, 28-922; §§ 28-105, 28-106 |
| Nevada | Willfully hindering, delaying or obstructing a public officer in official duties, or refusing to give or falsifying information lawfully required by an officer, is a misdemeanor where no other law applies (NRS 197.190). Bribing or using force, threats, intimidation or deception to influence a witness's testimony, cause false testimony, or keep evidence out of an official proceeding is a category C felony (1 to 5 years) and may carry a fine up to $50,000 (NRS 199.240). Using intimidation or threats to stop a victim or witness from reporting a crime, starting a prosecution or causing an arrest is a category D felony (1 to 4 years) (NRS 199.305). NRS 197.190, 199.240, 199.305; NRS 193.130 |
| New Hampshire | Obstructing government administration (using intimidation, force or violence, fake legal papers, or other unlawful conduct to hinder or retaliate against a public servant) is a misdemeanor; fleeing or refusing arrest is charged under other statutes (RSA 642:1). Witness tampering (trying to make someone testify falsely, withhold evidence, dodge a subpoena or skip a proceeding, retaliating against a witness, or taking a benefit to do so) is a class B felony, up to 7 years (RSA 641:5). Hindering apprehension or prosecution (hiding someone, helping the person escape, warning the person, or destroying evidence) is a misdemeanor, or a class B felony if the actor knows the charge is murder or a class A felony (RSA 642:3). RSA 642:1, 641:5, 642:3; RSA 651:2 |
| New Jersey | Obstruction is called 'obstructing administration of law or other governmental function': purposely obstructing, impairing or perverting the administration of law or preventing a public servant from lawfully performing an official function by flight, intimidation, force, violence, physical interference, or an independently unlawful act. It is a crime of the fourth degree if it obstructs the detection or investigation of a crime or a prosecution; otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense. Witness tampering (conduct a reasonable person would believe would cause a witness to testify falsely, withhold evidence, or stay away) is a crime of the third degree, second degree if force or threat of force is used, and first degree if force or threat is used in connection with certain listed serious crimes. Grade penalties: crime of the fourth degree — prison not to exceed 18 months and a fine up to $10,000; third degree — between three and five years and up to $15,000; second degree — between five and 10 years and up to $150,000; disorderly persons offense — up to 6 months and up to $1,000; petty disorderly persons offense — up to 30 days and up to $500 (N.J.S. 2C:43-6(a), 2C:43-3, 2C:43-8). N.J.S. 2C:29-1; N.J.S. 2C:28-5 |
| New Mexico | New Mexico has several obstruction-type offenses. Tampering with evidence — destroying, changing, hiding, placing or fabricating physical evidence to prevent anyone's apprehension, prosecution or conviction or to throw suspicion on another — is graded by the underlying crime: a third degree felony if that crime is a capital, first or second degree felony; a fourth degree felony if it is a third or fourth degree felony or is indeterminate; and a petty misdemeanor if it is a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor (§ 30-22-5). Bribing, intimidating or threatening a witness (or someone likely to become a witness, or someone reporting a felony to police) is a third degree felony (basic sentence three years, fine up to $5,000, § 31-18-15), and retaliating against a witness by causing or threatening bodily injury or property damage is a second degree felony (basic sentence nine years, fine up to $10,000) (§ 30-24-3). Knowingly obstructing or resisting an officer serving court process is part of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor (§ 30-22-1). NMSA 1978, §§ 30-22-5, 30-24-3, 30-22-1; § 31-18-15 |
| New York | Obstructing governmental administration in the second degree — intentionally obstructing, impairing or perverting the administration of law or other government function, or preventing a public servant from performing an official function, by intimidation, physical force or interference, or any independently unlawful act — is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000). Witness tampering is graded by method: tampering in the fourth degree (improperly persuading a witness to stay away or not testify, or knowingly using false statements, fraud or deceit to affect testimony) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000), while tampering in the third degree, which uses threats of physical injury against a witness in a criminal proceeding, is a class E felony (up to four years). More serious degrees apply when injury is caused. N.Y. Penal Law §§ 195.05, 215.10, 215.11, 70.00, 70.15 |
| North Carolina | Obstruction-type offenses in North Carolina's statutes include resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer in an official duty, a Class 2 misdemeanor (1-30 days for a person with no prior convictions, up to 1-60 days with five or more priors, and a fine up to $1,000) (Class I felony if it causes an officer serious injury, Class F felony if it causes serious bodily injury). Intimidating or attempting to intimidate a witness, or preventing or deterring a witness from attending court, is a Class G felony. Altering, destroying or stealing evidence held for a criminal case or court proceeding is a Class I felony. Felony prison terms depend on the class and the person's prior record level under structured sentencing (G.S. 15A-1340.17). N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-223, 14-226, 14-221.1 |
| North Dakota | 'Physical obstruction of government function' — intentionally obstructing, impairing, hindering or perverting the administration of law or other governmental function — is a class A misdemeanor (up to 360 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both) (it does not cover resisting one's own arrest, which is a separate offense). Hindering law enforcement (harboring a suspect, destroying evidence, giving false information to police) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class C felony (up to five years, a $10,000 fine, or both) when the underlying crime is a class AA, A or B felony. Tampering with a witness or informant — using force, threat, deception or bribery to influence testimony or to make someone withhold evidence or skip a proceeding — is a class C felony. N.D.C.C. §§ 12.1-08-01, 12.1-08-03, 12.1-09-01; N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-01 |
| Ohio | Obstructing official business — without privilege, and with purpose to prevent, obstruct or delay a public official's authorized act, doing any act that hampers or impedes the official — is a misdemeanor of the second degree (up to 90 days and a $750 fine). It is a misdemeanor of the first degree (up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine) when the victim is an emergency service responder who first gave a warning; a felony of the fifth degree (six to twelve months, fine up to $2,500) if it creates a risk of physical harm to someone else; and a felony of the fourth degree (six to eighteen months, fine up to $5,000) if it creates a risk of physical harm to an emergency service responder. Knowingly attempting to intimidate or hinder a crime victim or witness is a misdemeanor of the first degree (up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine); doing so by force or by unlawful threat of harm is a felony of the third degree (a definite term of nine to thirty-six months, fine up to $10,000). R.C. 2921.31, 2921.04; R.C. 2929.14, 2929.18, 2929.24, 2929.28 |
| Oklahoma | Willfully delaying or obstructing any public officer in doing his or her duty is a misdemeanor; the statute says recording police in a public area is allowed as long as it does not delay or obstruct the officer. Witness tampering is more serious: preventing or trying to prevent a summoned witness (or a witness to a reported crime) from testifying, or using force or fear to keep a witness from court or to change testimony, is a Class C1 felony (up to eight (8) years in prison), and threatening or harming someone because of testimony they gave is also a Class C1 felony. Bribing a witness to influence testimony is a Class D1 felony (up to five (5) years). 21 O.S. §§ 540, 455(A)-(B), 456, 20L(B), 20N(B) |
| Oregon | Oregon's main obstruction crime is obstructing governmental or judicial administration: intentionally obstructing, impairing or hindering the administration of law or another governmental or judicial function by intimidation, force, or physical or economic interference. It is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $6,250). Knowingly preventing a peace officer or parole and probation officer from performing lawful duties is the separate Class A misdemeanor of interfering with a peace officer (passive resistance excluded). Witness tampering (trying to get a witness to testify falsely, withhold testimony, or skip a proceeding they were summoned to) is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. ORS 162.235, 162.247, 162.285; 161.605, 161.615 |
| Pennsylvania | Intentionally obstructing, impairing or perverting the administration of law or another governmental function by force, violence, physical interference, breach of official duty or another unlawful act is a misdemeanor of the second degree (up to 2 years); simply fleeing or refusing to submit to arrest is excluded. Intimidating a witness or victim to withhold information, testify falsely or stay away from a proceeding is a misdemeanor of the second degree, but becomes a felony (first, second or third degree depending on the most serious charge in the case) if the person uses force, violence or deception, offers a benefit, acts in a conspiracy, or has a prior conviction. Retaliating against a witness, victim or party is a misdemeanor of the second degree, or a felony of the third degree when done by those aggravating means. 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5101, 4952, 4953; §§ 1103, 1104 |
| Rhode Island | Obstructing any officer, including police, a deputy sheriff or a firefighter, in the execution of duty is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine up to $500. Obstruction of the judicial system, corruptly, maliciously, recklessly or by threats or force trying to influence or impede jurors or court officers, injuring a party or witness for testifying, or obstructing the due administration of justice, is punishable by a fine up to $5,000, up to five (5) years in prison, or both. Intimidating a crime victim or witness by threatening an unlawful act is a misdemeanor (up to one year and/or $500); it is a felony (up to five (5) years and/or $5,000) if the person causes or threatens physical injury or property damage, or acts for pecuniary gain. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-32-1, 11-32-3, 11-32-5 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina makes it a felony to use threats or force to intimidate or impede a judge, magistrate, juror, witness or potential witness, or other court official in the discharge of duty, or to destroy, impede or obstruct the administration of justice in any court. The penalty is a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, up to ten years in prison, or both (listed as a Class E felony). S.C. Code §§ 16-9-340, 16-1-90(E) |
| South Dakota | Using or threatening violence, force, or physical interference to intentionally obstruct a law enforcement officer, jailer, firefighter, or emergency personnel is obstructing a law enforcement officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to one year and/or $2,000). Witness tampering, injuring or threatening anyone, or offering a benefit, to get a witness to testify falsely, withhold evidence, dodge a subpoena, or skip a proceeding, or retaliating against someone for testifying or cooperating with police, is a Class 4 felony (up to ten years and $20,000). Threatening or intimidating a judge, juror, court services officer, or similar official to influence their duties is a Class 5 felony (up to five years). SDCL 22-11-6, 22-11-19, 22-11-15, 22-6-1, 22-6-2 |
| Tennessee | Tennessee covers obstruction through several separate offenses. Using coercion to influence a witness or prospective witness in an official proceeding to lie, withhold truthful testimony, or avoid a legal summons (coercion of a witness) is a Class D felony (2 to 12 years). Altering, destroying or concealing evidence, or making or using false evidence, knowing an investigation or official proceeding is pending (tampering with or fabricating evidence) is a Class C felony (3 to 15 years). Using force to prevent or obstruct an officer from making a stop, frisk, halt, arrest or search is a Class B misdemeanor, or a Class A misdemeanor with a deadly weapon. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-16-507; 39-16-503; 39-16-602(a), (d); 40-35-111 |
| Texas | Tampering with a witness (offering a benefit to, or coercing, a witness to lie, withhold evidence, avoid a subpoena, stay away, or drop a prosecution) is a third-degree felony; when the proceeding is a criminal case it is the same grade as the most serious offense charged, and a first-degree felony if that charge is a capital felony, with higher minimum grades in family-violence cases. Harming or threatening someone in retaliation for, or to prevent, their service as a public servant, witness or informant is called obstruction or retaliation, a third-degree felony (second degree in some cases, such as against a juror). Interfering with a peace officer or other public duties through criminal negligence is a Class B misdemeanor. Tex. Penal Code §§ 36.05(a), (d)-(e-2); 36.06(a), (c); 38.15(a)-(b) |
| Utah | Obstruction of justice means acting to hinder, delay or prevent the investigation, arrest, prosecution or punishment of a crime, for example by destroying or hiding evidence, hiding a suspect, warning a suspect, or giving police false information. It is a second degree felony if the underlying crime is a capital or first degree felony, a third degree felony in several cases (such as when the underlying crime is a second or third degree felony and evidence was destroyed or a person hidden, or when committed before a court), and otherwise a class A misdemeanor. Tampering with a witness (trying to get someone to testify falsely, withhold evidence, dodge a subpoena or skip a proceeding) is a third degree felony. Utah Code §§ 76-8-306(2)-(3); 76-8-508(2)-(3); 76-3-203; 76-3-204 |
| Vermont | Obstruction of justice covers intimidating or impeding a witness, juror or court or agency officer by corrupt means, threats or force, harming them or their property because of their role in a case, or otherwise corruptly or by threats or force obstructing the administration of justice. It is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. 13 V.S.A. § 3015 |
| Virginia | Knowingly obstructing a judge, juror, prosecutor, witness or police officer in their duties, or using threats or force to try to intimidate them or obstruct the administration of justice, is a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months and/or $2,500). Using threats of bodily harm or force to intimidate a witness or court officer in a case involving drug distribution, gang crimes or a violent felony is a Class 5 felony. Knowingly making a materially false statement to a police officer investigating someone else's crime is also a Class 1 misdemeanor. Va. Code §§ 18.2-460(A)-(D); 18.2-10; 18.2-11 |
| Washington | Willfully hindering, delaying or obstructing a law enforcement officer in their duties is a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days and/or $5,000). Tampering with a witness, trying to get a witness or someone with information to testify falsely, withhold testimony, stay away, or withhold information from police, is a class C felony (up to 5 years). Intimidating a witness, using a threat to try to influence testimony or keep someone from reporting or cooperating, or threatening a former witness, is a class B felony (up to 10 years); each attempt is a separate offense. RCW 9A.76.020; 9A.72.120; 9A.72.110; 9A.20.021 |
| West Virginia | Obstructing an officer, meaning forcibly or illegally hindering or obstructing (or attempting to hinder or obstruct) a law-enforcement officer acting in an official capacity, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500, up to one year in jail, or both. Knowingly making a materially false statement to an officer to impede an investigation is a misdemeanor (fine of $25 to $200, five days in jail, or both), and disarming or attempting to disarm an officer is a felony (one to five years). Witness tampering, called intimidation of and retaliation against witnesses and jurors, covers using or threatening force, intimidation, harassment or fraudulent legal process to influence, delay or prevent testimony, or causing or threatening injury to retaliate for testimony or jury service; it is a felony punishable by one to 10 years in a state correctional facility, a fine of not more than $2,000, or both. W. Va. Code §§ 61-5-17(a)-(c), 61-5-27(b)-(d) |
| Wisconsin | Knowingly resisting or obstructing an officer acting in an official capacity with lawful authority, including knowingly giving the officer false information or planting evidence to mislead, is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 9 months, up to $10,000, or both). It becomes a Class H felony if the false information or evidence leads to an innocent person's conviction or if the person causes substantial bodily harm or a soft tissue injury to the officer, and a Class G felony if it causes great bodily harm. Witness tampering, called intimidation of witnesses, means knowingly and maliciously preventing or dissuading (or trying to) a witness from attending or testifying; it is a Class A misdemeanor, and a Class G felony (up to 10 years, up to $25,000, or both) when it involves force, property damage, threats, a conspiracy, a prior conviction, payment, a defendant charged with a felony in that case, or a domestic-abuse trial. Intimidating a crime victim from reporting or helping prosecute is graded the same way. Wis. Stat. §§ 946.41, 940.42, 940.43, 940.44, 940.45, 939.50(3), 939.51(3)(a) |
| Wyoming | Knowingly obstructing, impeding or interfering with, or resisting arrest by, a peace officer performing lawful duties is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one (1) year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000.00, or both. Intentionally causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to an officer is a felony punishable by up to ten (10) years, and disarming an officer of a firearm is a felony punishable by up to five (5) years. Witness or juror tampering, meaning using force or threats to influence, intimidate, impede or retaliate against a juror, judge, witness or other judicial officer, is a felony punishable by up to five (5) years, a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both; obstructing the administration of justice in a court by threats or force is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one (1) year, a fine of up to $1,000.00, or both. W.S. 6-5-204, 6-5-305(a)-(b) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.