Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer

Experienced, Successful defense attorneys aggressively representing individuals in Snohomish County and Skagit County, including Arlington, Everett, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Monroe and the surrounding areas.

Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer

Ashbach Law Offices, LLC has extensive history achieving great results for clients charged with Obstruction, including dismissals, agreements to dismiss, and other reductions and positive outcomes. If you have a question about an Obstructing charge or need representation, call our office today at (360) 659-4950 for a free, no-pressure consultation.

In Washington, a person may be guilty of Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer if he or she willfully delays, hinders, or obstructs any law enforcement officer in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties.

A law enforcement officer means any Washington or Federal peace officer (police, sheriff, state patrol, etc.) as defined by RCW 10.93.020, as well as public officers responsible for enforcing Fire, Building, Zoning, and Life and Safety Codes.

Obstructing can be committed by lying, withholding information, or simply blocking or delaying the officer. It must be done on purpose for the alleged perpetrator to be guilty. Because making a false statement could serve to delay an officer, this charge is similar to Making a False Statement.

Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer, often called Obstruction, is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to $5000 in fines or 365 days in jail.

Ashbach Law Offices has a strong track record of success defending clients charged with Obstructing (or Obstruction) crimes, arising out of Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Monroe, and the rest of Snohomish County, Washington.

These charges are typically filed in Cascade District Court, Edmonds Municipal Court, Everett District Court, Everett Municipal Court, Evergreen District Court, Lynnwood Municipal Court, Marysville Municipal Court, and South District Court, all located in Snohomish County, Washington.

If you, or someone you care about, have or has been charged with Obstructing, call Ashbach Law Offices, LLC at (360) 659-4950 for a FREE CONSULTATION today.

RCW 9A.76.020 -Obstructing a law enforcement officer.

• (1) A person is guilty of obstructing a law enforcement officer if the person willfully hinders, delays, or obstructs any law enforcement officer in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties.
• (2) "Law enforcement officer" means any general authority, limited authority, or specially commissioned Washington peace officer or federal peace officer as those terms are defined in RCW 10.93.020, and other public officers who are responsible for enforcement of fire, building, zoning, and life and safety codes.
• (3) Obstructing a law enforcement officer is a gross misdemeanor.