Hi, I’m Huntsville Alabama criminal defense attorney Andrew Segal of Segal and Segal.
Today’s topic is what you need to know about the charges of Obstruction of Justice and the separate crime of giving a False Name to Law Enforcement.
Alabama law has two separate legal offenses involving giving false information to law enforcement.
If a person lies to police officer by providing a false name or address, but the lie is not for the purpose of avoiding arrest or prosecution the crime is called providing a false name or address to a law enforcement officer.
This offense is punishable by up to a year in jail.
If a person uses a false identity or provides false information to avoid arrest or prosecution, or otherwise to impede a criminal investigation, the crime is obstruction of justice. This is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Police officers frequently use the obstruction of justice charge to elevate what would be otherwise a stop on a minor offense to a felony. A typical example might be with somebody is stopped for a traffic violation and that person is aware that they have some unpaid tickets and they lie to the officer about their name; because the lie was made to avoid the criminal charge relating to the tickets, they will typically be arrested and charged with be charged with felony obstruction of justice.
If you are accused of either of these crimes you should speak with an attorney as quickly as possible.
A lawyer may be able to resolve this case in a much more favorable way than you would be able to do so without the assistance of professional counsel.
If you would like our help at Segal and Segal, give us a call.
Your first consultation is free and as always, anything you say to us remains confidential.
The Law Offices of Segal & Segal
706 Madison St SE
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 533-4529
http://www.huntsvilledefenselawyer.com
