Moorhead, MN asked in Criminal Law for Minnesota

Q: What is obstructing legal process

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: The name says it all - obstructing legal process is when an individual commits some act to prevent a legal process from occurring. An example would be if a police officer were arresting an individual for a crime and the person refused to listen to the officer's commands and resisted arrest.

For the full definition see Minnesota Statute 609.50 which defines obstructing legal process as follows:

(1) obstructs, hinders, or prevents the lawful execution of any legal process, civil or criminal, or apprehension of another on a charge or conviction of a criminal offense;

(2) obstructs, resists, or interferes with a peace officer while the officer is engaged in the performance of official duties;

(3) interferes with or obstructs a firefighter while the firefighter is engaged in the performance of official duties;

(4) interferes with or obstructs a member of an ambulance service personnel crew, as defined in section 144E.001, subdivision 3a, who is providing, or attempting to provide, emergency care; or

(5) by force or threat of force endeavors to obstruct any employee of the Department of Revenue while the employee is lawfully engaged in the performance of official duties for the purpose of deterring or interfering with the performance of those duties.

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