Obstruction Defense Lawyer in King George County, Virginia
Obstruction of justice is a serious charge under Va. Code § 18.2-460, carrying up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine in King George County. An obstruction defense lawyer King George County from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can challenge the prosecution’s case, arguing you lacked intent to obstruct or that the officer’s command was unlawful.
Virginia Obstruction of Justice Law
Obstruction of justice in Virginia is defined under Va. Code § 18.2-460. The statute makes it illegal to knowingly obstruct a law enforcement officer, judge, magistrate, or other person in the performance of their duties. This can include providing false information, fleeing from an officer, or physically interfering. The charge is often paired with resisting arrest under § 18.2-479.1. The prosecution must prove you acted willfully and knowingly.
Last verified: April 2026 | King George County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of the law, review Va. Code § 18.2-460 (official Virginia General Assembly). Court procedures and forms are available at the King George County General District Court website.
Defending an Obstruction Charge in King George County
In King George County General District Court, prosecutors must prove you knowingly and willfully impeded an officer. A common defense is lack of intent—you may not have understood the officer’s command or were confused. Another defense is that the officer was not engaged in a lawful duty at the time. The court at 10446 Government Center Blvd handles these misdemeanor trials.
- Contact an obstruction defense lawyer King George County immediately after arrest or receiving a summons.
- Your attorney will obtain the police report, bodycam footage, and witness statements.
- A defense strategy is built, often focusing on the officer’s conduct and your intent.
- Your lawyer may file pre-trial motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the charge.
- Negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney for a reduction or dismissal, often using first-offender programs.
- If no agreement is reached, proceed to a bench trial in King George County General District Court.
Potential Penalties for Obstruction of Justice
In King George County, obstruction of justice is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, plus a permanent criminal record.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obstruction of Justice (§ 18.2-460) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None directly | Permanent criminal record; possible probation; impacts employment, housing, professional licenses. |
| Resisting Arrest (§ 18.2-479.1) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None directly | Often charged alongside obstruction; can lead to enhanced penalties. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Experience in Criminal Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. Our attorneys have over 120 years of combined legal experience. We have achieved 4,739+ case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Our approach is case-specific, built on a deep understanding of local court procedures.
Matthew Greene, Senior Defense Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA. 30+ years criminal defense. Death penalty certified (formerly). View Matthew Greene’s Profile
Case Results in King George County
Our firm has 4 documented case results in King George County, with 3 resulting in dismissals or not-guilty verdicts—a 75% favorable outcome rate. For example, we have successfully had charges like driving on a suspended license amended to a non-criminal traffic offense. Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our secondary attorney on complex cases is Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and a former prosecutor with multi-state bar admissions who personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute.
Contact Our King George County Obstruction Defense Lawyer
Our Fairfax location serves clients at the King George County courts. We are accessible via Route 3 and Route 301. We provide legal representation to residents of King George and Dahlgren.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
4008 Williamsburg Ct, Fairfax, VA 22032, United States
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is obstruction of justice in Virginia?
Yes. Under Va. Code § 18.2-460, obstruction of justice is knowingly obstructing a law enforcement officer, judge, or other official in their duties. This can be through force, threat, or providing false information. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Can I be charged with both obstruction and resisting arrest?
Yes. It is common for prosecutors in King George County to charge both obstruction of justice under § 18.2-460 and resisting arrest under § 18.2-479.1 from the same incident. An experienced resisting arrest defense lawyer King George County can fight these related charges.
What are the defenses to an obstruction charge?
It depends. Common defenses include lack of intent (you didn’t knowingly obstruct), the officer was not engaged in a lawful duty, self-defense, or mistaken identity. An obstruction defense lawyer King George County will review evidence like bodycam footage to identify the best defense strategy for your case.
Should I hire a lawyer for a misdemeanor obstruction charge?
Yes. Even a Class 1 misdemeanor can result in jail time and creates a permanent criminal record that affects employment and housing. A lawyer can negotiate for a reduction, seek a first-offender dismissal, or take your case to trial in King George County General District Court.
What is the penalty for obstruction of justice?
Up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. A conviction is a Class 1 misdemeanor that remains on your permanent criminal record. Penalties can increase if the obstruction involved force or threat of bodily harm.
Related Legal Information
If you are facing other charges, our firm also handles DUI defense in King George County and reckless driving tickets. For more information on Virginia criminal law, visit our Virginia criminal defense hub page. We also serve clients in neighboring areas like Prince William County.
Last verified: April 2026. Information is subject to change. Consult an obstruction defense lawyer King George County for current legal advice.