Seaside Heights NJ Obstructing the Administration of Law Offense

The Seaside Heights Police are quick to file an obstructing the administration of law charge when they believe that someone is interfering with their ability to perform their duties.  If you were arrested for obstructing the administration of law or frequently encountered companion offenses of resisting arrest and simple assault, the attorneys at our firm are here to help. We are a team of eight seasoned defense lawyers that have been handling obstruction cases in Seaside and Ocean County for over 100 years between us. Several members of our team are also former prosecutors. A free consultation is available 24/7 by contacting our Toms River Office at 732-286-6500.

The offense of obstructing the administration of law is contained at N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1. An individual violates this law "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 flight, intimidation, force, violence, or physical interference or obstacle, or by means of any independently unlawful act." As you can see from the language of this statute, it is designed to trump conduct that intentionally obstructs the police from performing their duties. It is important to keep in mind that there needs to be some affirmative conduct on the part of the accused to cause an investigation or other function to go awry. The classic example of this violation is someone knowingly giving a fictitious name to the police in terms of their identity or that of a third party.

Obstructing the administration of law is typically a disorderly persons offense. The charge is enhance to a fourth degree crime if the accused "obstructs the detection or investigation of a crime or the prosecution of a person for a crime." Obstructing as a disorderly persons offense carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail. A fourth degree crime for obstructing can result in a $10,000 fine and 18 prison sentence. Either grade of obstruction is eligible for diversion through Conditional Dismissal or Pretrial Intervention.

Hiring the right Seaside Heights Criminal Defense Attorney to defend you is an important decision. A lawyer who is familiar with the players in Seaside, as well as how to present a potent defense to this offense, is going to be an excellent tool to avert the consequences of a guilty finding. Contact the attorneys at our Toms River firm for a comprehensive review of your case and a recommendation as to your most effective options. Lawyers are available at 24/7 at 732-286-6500 to help you.