Crimes Against the Justice System are Little Understood Offenses

Lakeland, FL (Law Firm Newswire) January 15, 2015 – Committing a crime against the justice system is an act involving a disruption of the operating of the system itself – a system that protects the rights of all Americans.

For those that watch reality court TV or police shows, the terms defying a court order or being held in contempt of court are fairly familiar. In some instances, authorities do not consider these offenses to be criminal, but if they are, they may be punishable by jail time and the imposition of fines. Most are not aware that being in contempt of court can happen outside of a courtroom. The law classifies requesting or taking of a bribe by a public official in trade for some special favor as a crime against the justice system as well.

Crimes against the justice system may include interfering with the police, filing a false report, placing prank calls to send the police to someone’s home, offering the police fake ID or a false name, reporting a crime that never happened, or fleeing arrest.

Contempt of court during a trial may involve the defendant acting up in the courtroom. Contempt of court outside of a trial may involve refusing to produce evidence requested by the court, or not appearing as trial witness, despite being summoned.

“Crimes that fall into this category usually involve offenses committed against federal and/or state justice systems and are aimed at the police, courts, prosecutors or other government agencies that protect the rights of American citizens. They carry severe penalties,” explains Thomas Grajek, a Lakeland, Florida criminal defense attorney. Other crimes against the justice system that interfere with due process may also include, but are not limited to, tampering with a jury and coaching a witness to lie under oath, known as subornation of perjury.