18 U.S.C. § 1503 – Obstruction of justice

18 U.S.C. § 1503 – Obstruction of Justice

Obstruction of justice–it sounds pretty serious, right? And it is. Obstructing justice basically means interfering with the administration of justice in some way. It’s called a “process crime,” which means it’s about messing with the legal process itself. Let’s break it down so you really understand what’s going on with this law.

What is 18 U.S.C. § 1503?

18 U.S.C. § 1503 is a federal statute that makes it a crime to obstruct justice. Specifically, it says that anyone who “corruptly or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, influences, obstructs, or impedes, or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice” can be charged with a felony. That’s a mouthful, but basically it means trying to interfere with the normal administration of justice.

This law only applies to federal judicial proceedings. So if you’re obstructing justice in a state or local case, this particular law doesn’t apply–there are other laws for that. § 1503 is focused on the federal system.¹

Obstruction of justice covers a really wide range of activities. It can include things like destroying or hiding evidence, threatening witnesses, interfering with jurors, or ignoring court orders. Anything that corruptly impedes the normal functioning of the judicial system could potentially be charged under § 1503.

To be convicted under § 1503, prosecutors have to prove two things: (1) the defendant had the specific intent to obstruct or interfere with a judicial proceeding, and (2) there was a connection between the defendant’s actions and the proceeding they were trying to obstruct.² They also have to show the defendant knew about the judicial proceeding and knew their actions would impact it.

What are the penalties?

Obstructing justice under § 1503 is a felony offense. The maximum sentence is up to 10 years in prison. There are also fines that can go up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organizations.³

However, there are exceptions. If the obstruction involved a threat of physical force or actual physical violence, the maximum sentence goes up to 20 years. If the obstruction is related to a criminal case involving crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment or even death in some circumstances.

What are some examples?

There are lots of different ways obstruction charges can arise under § 1503. Here are just a few examples:

• Destroying or hiding documents or other evidence that is relevant to a federal case.
• Trying to influence a juror through threats, bribery, or other means.
• Retaliating against witnesses or informants for cooperating with federal authorities.
• Ignoring a court order or encouraging others to do so.
• Making false statements or committing perjury during court proceedings.
• Threatening federal judges, prosecutors, or other officers of the court.

As you can see, obstruction can take many different forms. Anything that interferes with federal judicial proceedings in a corrupt, threatening, or forceful way could potentially lead to charges.

What are some defenses?

Fighting obstruction of justice charges often comes down to negating the prosecution’s evidence regarding intent. Some possible defenses include:

• Lack of intent – Arguing the defendant did not actually know about the judicial proceeding or intend to obstruct it.
• Lack of “corrupt” intent – Arguing the defendant’s actions were not actually illegal or improper in themselves.
• Free speech – If the alleged obstruction involved speech rather than conduct, arguing it is protected under the First Amendment.
• Duress – Arguing the defendant only obstructed justice because of threats against them or their family.

Proving these defenses often requires contesting the prosecution’s evidence and also putting forth evidence about the defendant’s state of mind and motivations.

What are the implications?

Obstruction charges are serious business. Even if the defendant is acquitted, being accused of obstructing justice can ruin reputations and end careers. These charges also tend to get a lot of media attention, adding to the public scrutiny.

Being convicted of obstructing justice can result in substantial prison time and fines. It also gives the defendant a felony record with long-term consequences like being barred from voting, owning firearms, and working in certain professions.

At the same time, obstruction laws are also important tools for deterring people from interfering with the courts and law enforcement. They help protect the integrity of the judicial system.

The Bottom Line

Obstructing justice is a broad concept that boils down to corruptly interfering with the proper administration of justice. 18 U.S.C. § 1503 deals specifically with obstruction of federal judicial proceedings through threats, force, or other corrupt means.

Charges under this statute are no joke–they can carry lengthy prison sentences. But they are also complicated to prove, turning on evidence about the defendant’s intent and knowledge. For someone accused of obstructing justice, putting up an aggressive defense is critical.

At the end of the day, 18 U.S.C. § 1503 is an important safeguard against those who would try to undermine the integrity of America’s courts. It helps ensure that justice–for victims, defendants, and society as a whole–can be properly served.

References

1. Obstruction of Justice | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

2. 8.131 Obstruction of Justice—Omnibus Clause of 18 U.S.C. § 1503 | Model Jury Instructions

3. Statutes & Penalties: Federal Obstruction of Justice | 18 U.S.C. 1503