---
title: "What is obstruction of justice in Rhode Island?"
description: "Obstruction of justice in Rhode Island covers a range of conduct interfering with law enforcement, court proceedings, or witnesses. Common obstruction charges include obstructing a police officer in..."
url: https://www.chadbanklaw.com/faq-items/what-is-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
---

# What is obstruction of justice in Rhode Island?

Obstruction of justice in Rhode Island covers a range of conduct interfering with law enforcement, court proceedings, or witnesses. Common obstruction charges include obstructing a police officer in the execution of duty, witness tampering, evidence tampering, bribery of public officials, and perjury. The charge is often added to a primary criminal case as a stacking charge, increasing the defendant's overall exposure. Penalties scale from misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail) for simple obstruction to felony with multi-year prison exposure for witness tampering or evidence destruction. Federal obstruction charges add years on top under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.