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