District Of Columbia § 22-722 - Prohibited acts; penalty.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 22-722 — Prohibited acts; penalty., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 22-722. Prohibited acts; penalty.
22-722A person commits the offense of obstruction of justice if that person:
Knowingly uses intimidation or physical force, threatens or corruptly persuades another person, or by threatening letter or communication, endeavors to influence, intimidate, or impede a juror in the discharge of the juror’s official duties;
Knowingly uses intimidating or physical force, threatens or corruptly persuades another person, or by threatening letter or communication, endeavors to influence, intimidate, or impede a witness or officer in any official proceeding, with intent to:
Influence, delay, or prevent the truthful testimony of the person in an official proceeding;
Cause or induce the person to withhold truthful testimony or a record, document, or other object from an official proceeding;
Evade a legal process that summons the person to appear as a witness or produce a document in an official proceeding; or
Cause or induce the person to be absent from a legal official proceeding to which the person has been summoned by legal process;
Harasses another person with the intent to hinder, delay, prevent, or dissuade the person from:
Attending or testifying truthfully in an official proceeding;
Reporting to a law enforcement officer the commission of, or any information concerning, a criminal offense;
Arresting or seeking the arrest of another person in connection with the commission of a criminal offense; or
Causing a criminal prosecution or a parole or probation revocation proceeding to be sought or instituted, or assisting in a prosecution or other official proceeding;
Injures or threatens to injure any person or his or her property on account of the person or any other person giving to a criminal investigator in the course of any criminal investigation information related to a violation of any criminal statute in effect in the District of Columbia;
Injures or threatens to injure any person or his or her property on account of the person or any other person performing his official duty as a juror, witness, or officer in any court in the District of Columbia; or
Corruptly, or by threats of force, any way obstructs or impedes or endeavors to obstruct or impede the due administration of justice in any official proceeding.
Any person convicted of obstruction of justice shall be sentenced to a maximum period of incarceration of not less than 3 years and not more than 30 years, or shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in , or both. For purposes of imprisonment following revocation of release authorized by , obstruction of justice is a Class A felony.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 22-722
What does D.C. Code § 22-722 cover?
Section 22-722 ("Prohibited acts; penalty.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 22-722?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 22-722" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 22-722 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.