---
title: "Is lying to police obstruction of justice in Rhode Island?"
description: "Sometimes. Lying to police can support an obstruction charge in Rhode Island when the false statements actually interfere with the investigation or are provided in a sworn context. Giving a fake name..."
url: https://www.chadbanklaw.com/faq-items/is-lying-to-police-obstruction-of-justice-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-05-24
modified: 2026-05-24
author: "The Law Office of Chad F Bank"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Is lying to police obstruction of justice in Rhode Island?

Sometimes. Lying to police can support an obstruction charge in Rhode Island when the false statements actually interfere with the investigation or are provided in a sworn context. Giving a fake name during arrest, providing false alibis to support another person's innocence, and obstructing identification can all support obstruction charges. However, refusing to answer questions (silence) is NOT obstruction — that is your Fifth Amendment right. Federal false statement charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 apply to lies to federal agents and carry up to 5 years prison. Defense work often focuses on whether the statements were actually false and whether they materially affected the investigation.