Obstruction of justice in the United States
Umbrella crime covering interference with the justice system.
Obstruction of justice in the United States refers to a range of offenses involving undue influence, interference, or impediment of the justice system, particularly the legal and procedural tasks of prosecutors, investigators, or other government officials. It is an umbrella term covering specific crimes such as perjury, witness tampering, jury tampering, destruction of evidence, and coercion of officials, and is defined in federal law primarily under Chapter 73 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
- field
- Criminal law
- jurisdiction
- United States
- federal_statute
- Title 18, Chapter 73, U.S. Code
- key_provision
- Omnibus Clause (corruptly influencing, obstructing, or impeding justice)
- sentencing_enhancement
- 2-level increase under Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- notable_related_scandal
- Watergate, Iran–Contra, Enron, January 6 Capitol attack
Lore & Background
This provision survives as the Omnibus Clause.
Reader's Guide
Obstruction of justice is a broad and flexible charge used in both federal and state jurisdictions. Federal law defines it primarily in Chapter 73 of Title 18, covering witness tampering, jury tampering, destruction of evidence, and general obstruction of proceedings. The Omnibus Clause is one of the broadest provisions, punishing anyone who 'corruptly... endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice' in connection with a pending court proceeding. Notable examples include the impeachment proceedings against Richard Nixon (Watergate), Bill Clinton (Lewinsky affair), and Donald Trump (Russian interference and Ukraine scandal), as well as convictions of Arthur Andersen, Martha Stewart, Scooter Libby, Conrad Black, and Barry Bonds. The charge has also been applied to participants in the January 6 Capitol attack and to YouTuber Trevor Jacob for disposing of aircraft wreckage.
Did You Know?
- In United States v. Binion, malingering (feigning illness) during a competency evaluation was held to be obstruction of justice and led to an enhanced sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Obstruction of justice in the United States?
Obstruction of justice is not a single character but an umbrella category of federal offenses that criminalize any corrupt effort to interfere with, influence, or impede the work of prosecutors, investigators, or other officials in the justice system. It sits under Chapter 73 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code and bundles together related crimes like perjury, witness tampering, jury tampering, and evidence destruction.
What are Obstruction of justice in the United States's powers and role?
Its core 'power' is the so-called Omnibus Clause, which makes it a crime to corruptly influence, obstruct, or impede any official proceeding or the administration of justice. In practice, this means the statute can reach conduct that no narrower statute would cover, acting as a catch-all shield for the integrity of legal proceedings.
How does Obstruction of justice in the United States's story end (sentencing)?
A conviction triggers a two-level enhancement under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, bumping the offender's guideline range upward. The exact penalty still depends on the underlying offense and the severity of the interference, but the enhancement signals that courts treat obstruction as an aggravating layer on top of whatever other crimes were committed.
Why is Obstruction of justice in the United States important in the canon?
It has been a central charge in some of the most high-profile scandals in American legal history, including Watergate, Iran-Contra, Enron, and the January 6 Capitol attack proceedings. Its recurring appearance in those cases makes it one of the most frequently invoked and debated provisions in federal criminal law.
Where in the source material (statute) does Obstruction of justice in the United States appear?
The primary federal text lives in Title 18, Chapter 73 of the United States Code, with the Omnibus Clause at 18 U.S.C. § 1503 being the most-cited provision. Related subsections in the same chapter address specific acts like witness intimidation, jury tampering, and destruction of evidence.
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