Therefore, so too are the penalties for an obstruction of justice conviction. The range of situations wherein a person can face an obstruction of justice charge is wide. It is therefore better for him to plead the Fifth, rather than risk implication, or further implication, in a criminal investigation. In this case, the individual could potentially face an obstruction of justice or perjury charge. On a related note, if the person makes an innocent mistake in a civil matter, he could face criminal charges for the information he didn’t provide. For one, the information a person offers in a civil investigation could incriminate him in the ongoing criminal case. Lawyers often advise their clients to plead the Fifth Amendment when they are involved in two cases at the same time: a civil case and a criminal case. Put another way, if a witness could give the government evidence needed to prosecute a case, he does not have to answer if he feels the answer may incriminate him. This means that no individual should feel forced to testify against himself. When a person “pleads the Fifth,” this means that he is invoking his rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. Picketing or parading with the intention of obstructing justice 5th Amendment and Obstruction.Attempting to influence a juror in writing.Tampering with or retaliating against witnesses and informants. ![]() There are several statutes within the United States Code Title 18 that cover various types of obstruction of justice, including: ![]() This is true even if the individual was not required to produce the evidence at that time. They may also charge him or her with obstruction of justice for changing or destroying evidence related to the investigation. Failing to prosecute government officials for crimes they have committedįor example, obstruction of justice by elected officials occurs when authorities discover that an individual lied during an investigation.Causing harm to or intimidating a juror, witness, or member of law enforcement. ![]()
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