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> They can slap an "obstruction of justice" charge on. Obstruction of justice can only be committed by officers of the court or elected officials. > Or charge

• rdtsc 16y ago
  > Obstruction of justice can only be committed by officers of the court or elected officials. Not true. The same legal term seems to be overloaded and used by state laws. For example from the Commonwealth of Virginia Laws (http://leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/18.2-460.HTM http://leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/18.2-460.HTM): > § 18.2-460. Obstructing justice; penalty. A. If any person without just cause knowingly obstructs a judge, magistrate, justice, juror, attorney for the Commonwealth, witness, any law-enforcement officer, or animal control officer employed pursuant to § 3.2-6555 in the performance of his duties as such or fails or refuses without just cause to cease such obstruction when requested to do so by such judge, magistrate, justice, juror, attorney for the Commonwealth, witness, law-enforcement officer, or animal control officer employed pursuant to § 3.2-6555, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Notice it says "any person" not just elected official. > This seems very unlikely given the (1) the 5th amendment and (2) only judges can issue contempt of court citations. Actually it is very likely because of (2).