Del. Code tit. 11 § 1244A

Current through 2024 Legislative Session Act Chapter 494
Section 1244A - Obstruction of justice; class D felony; class G felony; class A misdemeanor
(a) A person is guilty of obstruction of justice when the person corruptly intimidates, influences, obstructs, or impedes the administration of law, a law enforcement investigation, or any other inquiry authorized by law, including criminal, civil, or administrative inquiries.
(b) Obstruction of justice is classified and punished as follows:
(1) Obstruction of justice is a class D felony if a person uses force, violence, or physical interference when the person commits or attempts to commit an act under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Obstruction of justice is a class G felony if a person does any of the following when the person commits or attempts to commit an act under subsection (a) of this section:
a. Conceals, alters, or destroys material evidence.
b. Bestows money or any other benefit upon another person.
c. Commits a breach of official duty or creates an obstacle.
(3) If a person intentionally commits or attempts to commit any crime under the laws of this State, other than a crime enumerated under paragraphs (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, when the person commits or attempts to commit an act under subsection (a) of this section, obstruction of justice is 1 class higher than the underlying offense.
(4) All other violations under subsection (a) of this section are a class A misdemeanor.
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) "Corruptly" means acting with an improper purpose, personally or by influencing another, including any of the following:
a. Making a false or misleading statement.
b. Withholding, concealing, altering, or destroying a document or other information.
(2) "Obstacle" means any effort or scheme intended to delay or interfere with a law enforcement investigation or any other inquiry authorized by law, including criminal, civil, or administrative inquiries. An "obstacle" may be a threat, act, or physical object.
(d) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Flight by a person charged with a crime.
(2) Refusal to submit to arrest.
(e) Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over violations of this section.

11 Del. C. § 1244A

Added by Laws 2023 , ch. 228, s 1, eff. 9/21/2023.