Obstruction of justice is an incredibly broad charge.
Arizona law categorizes obstruction of justice as “using or threatening to use violence or physical force, such person knowingly obstructs, impairs or hinders the enforcement of penal law or preservation of the peace by a peace officer acting under the color of his official authority.”
The way the law is written, you would expect someone who has been charged with Obstruction of Justice to act violently toward a police officer, such as pushing him or resisting arrest. Nothing could be further from the truth for what we generally represent people for in Scottsdale and Tempe.
Scottsdale and Tempe police officers patrol Mill Avenue and Old Town Scottsdale in an attempt to maintain their definition of order. What we generally see are people having a good time and blowing off steam. Our clients are usually not acting violently. It is our opinion that police officers do not have a lot of patience for people who are intoxicated.
When police officers approach someone to investigate what they believe to be an offense such as disorderly conduct or urinating in public (two offenses that we represent hundreds of people for on a yearly basis), and the person makes even the slightest contact with the police officer, Tempe and Scottsdale officers are quick to issue a violation for obstruction of justice. This is a ridiculous offense and it is my belief that police officers often times abuse their positions when issuing citations or arresting for it.
What are the penalties for obstruction of justice
Arizona law categorizes obstruction of justice as a class 1 misdemeanor. A class 1 misdemeanor is the most serious categorization. It can lead to jail, probation and hefty fines.
What our Tempe and Scottsdale Lawyers Can Do For You
As attorneys who have handled thousands of cases, we know the defenses to help beat your charge. We will investigate your case to show the judge and prosecutor that this was a simple misunderstanding and the officer only issued the citation because they were being sensitive or blew the entire event out of proportion. We will be by your side and fight the court system to ensure you receive the best outcome. We offer free consultations and affordable rates. Don’t wind up with a criminal conviction on your record for obstruction of justice. Call our office anytime – day or night – to speak with us about a case strategy.
Author Bio
Matthew L. Lopez
Matthew L. Lopez is the Managing Attorney and founder of Matthew Lopez Law, a criminal defense and DUI firm serving clients throughout Arizona. His track record of case dismissals and charge reductions has earned him honors, including a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 nomination, a “Superb” 10/10 Avvo rating, and a Rising Star designation by Super Lawyers.
Matthew is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and holds active memberships with the Arizona Association for Criminal Justice and the Arizona Association for Justice. His firm handles criminal defense, DUI, drug charges, and traffic offenses, offering free consultations and affordable payment plans to make quality defense accessible to all Arizonans.
