Obstruction of law enforcement and judiciary functions: criminal offense in comparative dimension

Abstract

The research paper addresses, via comparative approach, issues of criminal liability for obstruction of law enforcement and judicial functions in several jurisdictions. It is argued that the primary responsibility of law enforcement officers is to safeguard the established social interactions, as defined by the law, against specific violations. They are tasked with restoring the lawful position when individuals, public interests, legal norms, or public order are harmed. Through the utilization of diverse academic research techniques and methodological tools, a comprehensive exploration of statutes related to the obstruction of law enforcement across different jurisdictions has been conducted. In the concluding section of the paper, it is underlined that obstruction of justice refers to the intentional interference with the administration of justice by seeking to hinder or influence an ongoing legal process. It involves deliberately impeding or influencing officially authorized procedures with the aim of preventing detection, apprehension, or punishment of individuals involved in illegal activities.