Pensacola Attorneys Explain How to Fight Obstruction of Justice Charges

Being charged with obstruction of justice can be scary. Many people feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start in fighting the charges. But with the right legal help, these charges can often be reduced or even dismissed.

In this article, Pensacola attorneys will explain what obstruction of justice is, common defenses, and steps you can take to protect your rights. We’ll share insider tips to build your case, work with prosecutors, and get charges lowered or dropped.

What is Obstruction of Justice?

Obstruction charges mean prosecutors believe you deliberately interfered with an official proceeding or investigation. This could involve destroying or hiding evidence, lying to investigators, encouraging others to lie or not cooperate, or threatening witnesses.

Some common obstruction offenses in Florida include:

• Influencing or threatening a witness
• Altering, destroying, or concealing records
• Obstructing service of process, like dodging a subpoena
• Providing false information on documents
• Resisting an officer without violence

Obstruction charges can be filed on their own, or added to other charges like drug crimes or battery. They are usually felonies carrying years in prison.

Common Defenses Against Obstruction Charges

Fighting obstruction allegations starts with understanding prosecutors’ burden of proof. They must show you specifically intended to obstruct the investigation. If your actions were unintentional, you may have a solid defense.

Here are some other common defenses Pensacola attorneys use:

• No investigation occurring – If there was no official investigation happening yet, your actions cannot legally obstruct it.
• Information given was true – If you provided investigators objectively true information, it typically does not constitute obstruction.
• Statement later corrected – If a statement was inaccurate but later corrected, that helps refute obstruction allegations.
• Evidence was unimportant – If the specific evidence concealed or destroyed was ultimately immaterial to the case, an obstruction charge may not stick.
• Misinterpreted statement – What you said may have been misconstrued. Careful analysis of the exact wording can show obstruction does not apply.

An experienced attorney can evaluate if any defenses apply in your case. We dig deep into the specifics of what happened during the alleged obstruction to build the strongest argument.

Steps to Take After Being Charged

Learning you face obstruction allegations can be overwhelming. People often wonder where do I start or what should I do next? Here is what Pensacola attorneys recommend:

1. Get legal help immediately. An obstruction conviction can mean years behind bars. So move quickly.
2. Do NOT try talking to police or prosecutors yourself. Anything you say can be used against you.
3. Follow your lawyer’s advice about whether to testify or make a statement. They will determine the best legal strategy.
4. Gather evidence that could help your case. This may include financial records, communications with witnesses or investigators, and any documents related to the investigation.
5. Ask witnesses to write down exact recollections of relevant events. Eyewitness accounts could corroborate your defense.
6. Do not attempt to influence witness testimony or further obstruct the investigation. Doing so will severely undermine your defense.

An attorney knows the precise steps to take right away to protect your rights and build the strongest case possible.

Insider Tips for Fighting Obstruction Charges

Through handling many obstruction cases over their careers, Pensacola attorneys have discovered useful insider tips. Strategies they’ve seen work to get charges reduced or dismissed include:

• Highlight lack of criminal record. If you have no history of obstruction or dishonesty, argue this was a one-off mistake.
• Shift blame to others involved. When appropriate, show how another person primarily responsible coerced your actions.
• Reveal personal struggles. Explain difficult circumstances like financial or emotional distress that affected decision-making.
• Express remorse to prosecutors. Taking responsibility and apologizing can motivate them to show leniency.
• Offer to cooperate in investigation. Providing helpful information or testifying for the state may lead to dropped charges.
• Submit character references. Letters from family, friends or employers vouching for your honesty and law-abiding nature can sway prosecutors.

An experienced obstruction attorney knows how to craft the most compelling arguments to get your charges reduced or dismissed. They will leave no stone unturned fighting for you.

Why Hiring the Right Lawyer Matters

Trying to navigate obstruction charges alone is extremely unwise. These complex cases require an attorney well-versed in Florida statutes and case law precedent on obstruction.

They will know every defense that could apply and strategy to attack the prosecution’s arguments. They have relationships with judges and prosecutors to negotiate effectively. And they have helped many people in your shoes to positive outcomes.

So if you face obstruction allegations, speak to a Pensacola obstruction lawyer immediately. An experienced attorney can mean the difference between prison time and charges dropped or reduced to a minor offense. With skilled legal guidance, one mistake does not have to haunt you for years.

Sources:

Florida Statutes on Obstruction