Columbus and Delaware, Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your case and assist you in fighting the charges. Call (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your criminal offense case.
What is Obstructing Justice?
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2921.32, it is unlawful for a person with the purpose of hindering the discovery, apprehension, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another for a crime, or thwarting the arrest or sentencing of another adult or delinquent juvenile, to do any of the following:
- Harbor or conceal the other person or child;
- Provide the other person or child with money, transportation, a weapon, a disguise, or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension;
- Warn the other person or child of impending discovery or apprehension;
- Destroy or conceal physical evidence of the crime or act, or induce any person to withhold testimony or information or to elude legal process;
- Communicate false information to any person; or
- Prevent of obstruct any person, by means of force, intimidation or deception, from performing any act to aid in the discovery, apprehension or prosecution of the other person or child.
Penalties for Obstructing Justice in Ohio
Obstructing justice can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony in Ohio. If the crime committed by the person aided is a misdemeanor, obstructing justice will be charged as a misdemeanor of the same degree as the crime committed by the person aided. For example, if the person aided committed a 1st degree misdemeanor, the person charged with obstructing justice will be charged with a 1st degree misdemeanor.
If the crime committed by the person aided is a felony, obstructing justice will be charged as a felony of the same degree as the crime committed by the person aided. For example, if the person aided committed a 5th degree felony, the person charged with obstructing justice will be charged with a 5th degree felony.
However, there are certain exceptions. If the crime committed by the person aided is aggravated murder, murder or a felony of the 1st or 2nd degree, obstructing justice will be charged as a 3rd degree felony. If the crime is an act of terrorism, obstructing justice will be charged as a 2nd degree felony. However, if the act of terrorism resulted in the death of a person, obstructing justice will be charged as a 1st degree felony.
Finally, if the crime committed by the person aided is trafficking in persons, obstructing justice will be charged as a 2nd degree felony.
In addition to criminal penalties, there are secondary consequences for an obstructing justice conviction. These include difficulty maintaining your current employment, obtaining future employment, and maintaining professional licenses. Obstructing justice is a serious offense under Ohio law and, if convicted, will be on your permanent criminal record.
Columbus and Delaware, Ohio Obstructing Justice Attorney
If you have been charged with obstructing justice, you should hire an attorney immediately. Contact Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Columbus and Delaware, Ohio criminal defense attorney. Attorney Johnson will examine your case and assist you in putting forth the strongest defense possible. Call Johnson Legal, LLC at (614) 987-0192 or send Attorney David Johnson an email.