Section 710-1072.5 - Obstruction of justice(1) A person commits the offense of obstruction of justice if the person intentionally : (a) When called as a witness and having been granted immunity pursuant to chapters 480 and 621C, before or after having been qualified as a witness, refuses to testify or be qualified as a witness when duly directed to testify or be qualified as a witness; or(b) Influences; obstructs; impedes; or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice by means of force, threat of force, coercion, fraud, or deception.(2) Obstruction of justice shall be a class C felony; provided that if the person engaged in activity under subsection (1)(b), obstruction of justice shall be a class B felony.Amended by L 2023, c 137,§ 1, eff. 6/29/2023.L 1978, c 211, §1; am L 1980, c 173, §7; gen ch 1993COMMENTARY ON § 710-1072.5
Act 211, Session Laws 1978, added this section to provide for the situation where a person refuses to testify or be qualified as a witness after having been granted immunity, as distinguished from the situation where, under § 710-1077(h), a person refuses to testify or be qualified as a witness without a grant of immunity. Senate Conference Committee Report No. 57-78, House Conference Committee Report No. 56.
Act 173, Session Laws 1980, added the reference to chapter 480 in view of the amendments to that chapter regarding immunity.