Obstructing Justice in Florida

Obstructing justice is an umbrella term for any actions that prevent law enforcement from learning about a crime or those involved in that crime. Florida Statute XLVI, Chapter 843 describes 29 different actions that can constitute the crime of obstructing justice. These range from resisting officers with violence, to false personation, to fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. An obstruction of justice charge can be filed while you are being charged for another crime. Now you have two charges against you, not just one, enhancing the penalties that you may receive. If you have been charged with obstruction of justice, contact a skilled Tampa criminal defense attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. We will fight the charges against you and seek justice. We are your Tampa Bay resisting arrest attorney.

What Constitutes Obstruction of Justice?

Florida law outlines 29 different actions that can constitute this crime.

These are:

• Resisting an officer with violence
• Resisting an officer without violence
• Unlawful possession of a concealed handcuff key
• Depriving officer of means of protection or communication
• Obstruction by disguised person
• Refusing to assist prison officers in arresting escaped convicts
• Resisting timber agent
• Neglect or refusal to aid peace officers
• False personation
• Prohibited use of certain lights
• Unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority
• Criminal actions under color of law or through simulated legal process
• Escape through voluntary action of officer
• Escape by negligence of officer
• Conveying tools into jail to aid escape
• Aiding escape
• Aiding escape of juvenile inmates
• Compounding felony
• Failure of defendant on bail to appear
• Installing or transporting radio equipment using assigned frequency of state or law enforcement officers
• Unauthorized transmissions to and interference with governmental and associated radio frequencies
• Unlawful use of police communications
• Publishing name and address of law enforcement officer
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer
• Criminal actions against police dogs, fire dogs, SAR dogs, or police horses
• Harassment of participant of neighborhood crime watch program
• Depriving crime victim of medical care
• Traveling across county lines with intent to commit a burglary
• Tampering with electronic monitoring device

A full list of these actions, along with descriptions and penalties, can be found at The 2018 Florida Statutes

Penalties for Obstructing Justice

The penalties for these types of crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the situation, the person involved, and whether or not violence was used. For example, resisting an officer with violence is a third-degree felony, whereas resisting an officer without violence is a first-degree misdemeanor. False personation (i.e. pretending to be a firefighter, sheriff, highway patrol officer, state attorney, etc) is a third-degree felony. False personation during the course of a felony is a second-degree felony. False personation during the course of a felony that results in death or personal injury is a first-degree felony. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime relating to obstruction of justice, contact an experienced Tampa criminal defense lawyer at Pallegar Law, P.A. today.

Call Pallegar Law, P.A. Today

If you have been charged with obstructing justice, call an aggressive Tampa resisting arrest attorney today. At Pallegar Law, P.A., we fight for your rights. Call 813-444-3912 for your free consultation.