2006 Ohio Revised Code - 2921.31. Obstructing official business.

§ 2921.31. Obstructing official business.
 

(A)  No person, without privilege to do so and with purpose to prevent, obstruct, or delay the performance by a public official of any authorized act within the public official's official capacity, shall do any act that hampers or impedes a public official in the performance of the public official's lawful duties. 

(B)  Whoever violates this section is guilty of obstructing official business. Except as otherwise provided in this division, obstructing official business is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If a violation of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, obstructing official business is a felony of the fifth degree. 
 

HISTORY: 134 v H 511 (Eff 1-1-74); 148 v H 137. Eff 3-10-2000.

 

19xx Committee Report or Comment.

1974 Committee Comment to H 511

This section consolidates a plethora of separate sections in former law of which the gist was hampering, impeding, obstructing, or interfering with particular public officials in certain duties. Under this section, the means used to commit the offense is unimportant, so long as it is done without privilege, and with the purpose of preventing, obstructing, or delaying an official act, and actually has its intended effect. 

Obstructing official business is a misdemeanor of the second degree.