What is the legal definition of obstruction of justice?

11/19/2007 - Criminal - State: IL #12525

Full Question:

If you lie to a police officer about something that would have no effect on another person being arrested is that considered obstruction of Justice?

Answer:

The following is an Illinois statute:

720 ILCS 5/31-4

Sec. 31-4. Obstructing justice.

A person obstructs justice when, with intent to prevent the apprehension or obstruct the prosecution or defense of any person, he knowingly commits any of the following acts:

(a) Destroys, alters, conceals or disguises physical evidence, plants false evidence, furnishes false information; or

(b) Induces a witness having knowledge material to the subject at issue to leave the State or conceal himself; or

(c) Possessing knowledge material to the subject at issue, he leaves the State or conceals himself.

(d) Sentence.

(1) Obstructing justice is a Class 4 felony, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection (d).

(2) Obstructing justice in furtherance of streetgang related or gang-related activity, as defined in Section 10 of the Illinois Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act, is a Class 3 felony.

Please see the information at the following links:

http://definitions.uslegal.com/o/obstruction-of-justice/

11/19/2007 - Category: Criminal - State: IL #12525

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