Obstruction of Justice
In Florida, the term “obstruction of justice” refers to criminal offenses that occur when someone willfully interferes with the legal system’s ability to carry out its functions. Crimes for obstruction of justice involve unlawful acts intended to disrupt investigations, trials, or other legal proceedings, including:
- tampering with evidence;
- bribing a witness;
- lying to law enforcement
- threatening a judge;
- threatening a juror.
Under Chapter 843 of the Florida Statutes, obstruction of justice charges apply to actions that deliberately interfere with a legally authorized person in the lawful execution of their duty. Those legally authorized persons subject to acts of obstruction might include:
- police officers;
- other peace officers;
- correctional officers;
- correctional probation officers;
- members of the Florida Highway Patrol; and
- members of other governmental agencies.
A person who knowingly and willfully resists, obstructs, or opposes a covered person in the execution of legal process or in the lawful execution of any legal duty, by offering or doing violence to the person of such officer or legally authorized person, commits a felony commits a third degree felony. Covered individuals for purposes of this crime include:
- any officer;
- and member of the Florida Commission on Offender Review;
- any administrative aide or supervisor employed by the commission;
- and parole and probation supervisor;
- and county probation officer;
- and personnel or representative of the Department of Law Enforcement; or
- and other person legally authorized to execute process.
This article was last updated on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
