Perverting the Course of Justice
Perverting the Course of Justice is the act of doing something which interferes with the justice system, such asfabricating or disposing of evidence, intimidating or threatening a witness or juror or intimidating or threatening a judge.
If you are arrested you should ask for a Solicitor at the earliest opportunity. You have a right to legal representation. J R Jones solicitors are available 24 hours a day on 07961 369 885. Please make a note of this number. In office hours you can also call us on 0121 777 7864.
Advice at a Police Station is free of charge and will be paid for by Legal Aid. This does not depend on your financial circumstances.
Public Justice Offences
Perverting the course of justice is the phrase used to describe a number of possible crimes.
Perverting the course of justice is a serious criminal offence and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. This offence is committed where a person:
- Commits an act (a positive act or series of acts is required; mere inaction is insufficient)
- Which has a tendency to pervert and
- Which is intended to pervert
- The course of public justice.
If you have been charged with any offence classed as perverting the course of justice, contact us now to speak to one of our specialist criminal defence solicitors.
Perjury
Perjury is defined as the wilful act of swearing a false oath or falsifying the truth, either verbally or in writing.
The crime of perjury is committed when:
- A lawfully sworn witness or interpreter
- In judicial proceedings
- Wilfully makes a false statement
- Which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true, and
- Which is material in the proceedings.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and/or a fine. Perjury is regarded as one of the most serious offences by the Courts because it is said to wholly undermine the whole basis of the administration of justice. It is regarded as being just as serious whether it is committed in the context of a minor case, for example a car passenger who falsely states that the driver did not jump a red light as alleged, or a serious case, for example a false alibi witness in a bank robbery case.
If you have been charged with perjury, contact us now to speak to one of our specialist criminal defence solicitors.
Intimidation of Witnesses or Jurors
Intimidation is defined in law as:
A person commits an offence when doing to another person:
- An act which intimidates, and is intended to intimidate, that other person;
- Knowing or believing the other person is assisting in the investigation of an offence or is a witness/potential witness or a juror/potential juror in proceedings for an offence;
- Intending thereby to cause the investigation or course of justice to be obstructed, perverted or interfered with.
If you have been charged with witness intimidation or juror intimidation, contact us now to speak to one of our specialist criminal defence solicitors.
Wasting Police Time
The offence of wasting police time is committed when a person:
- Causes any wasteful employment of the police by
- Knowingly making to any person a false report orally or in writing tending to:
- Show that an offence has been committed; or,
- Give rise to apprehension for the safety of any persons or property; or,
- Show that he has information material to any police inquiry.
If you have been charged with Wasting Police time, contact us now to speak to one of our specialist criminal defence solicitors.
Obstructing a Police officer
The offence of obstructing a police officer is committed when a person:
- Wilfully obstructs
- A constable in the execution of his duty, or
- A person assisting a constable in the execution of the constable's duty.
It carries a maximum penalty of one month's imprisonment and/or a fine.
A person obstructs a Police officer if he prevents him from carrying out his duties or makes it more difficult for him to do so.
The obstruction must be 'wilful', meaning the accused must act (or refuse to act) deliberately, knowing and intending his act will obstruct the constable.
Examples of the type of conduct which may constitute the offence of obstructing a police officer include:
- Warning someone that a Police search of premises is to occur;
- Giving a false name and address;
- Warning a pub landlord that the police are to investigate after hours drinking;
- Giving a warning to other motorists of a police speed trap ahead;
- A motorist or 'shoplifter' who persists in giving a false name and address;
- A partner who falsely claims that they were driving at the time of the accident but relents before the breathalyser procedure is undertaken;
If you have been charged with obstructing a Police officer, contact us now to speak to one of our specialist criminal defence solicitors.
