Interference with Judicial Proceedings

Accused of Disobeying a Court Order in Arizona?

Interfering with judicial proceedings is a class 1 misdemeanor mostly attributed to a violation of an Order of Protection or Injunction Against Harassment. Under Arizona Revised Statute § 13-2810 A(2), a person can be found guilty of interfering with judicial proceedings if the person "disobeys" or "resists" a court order.

Simply speaking, if there is an active Order of Protection or Injunction Against Harassment against you, and you are accused of violating it, then you are accused of disobeying a court order.

Charges of interfering with judicial proceedings are prevalent in misdemeanor jurisdictions such as City Courts or Justice Courts; however, the charges can be combined with felony offenses in Superior Court.

If you have been accused of interfering with judicial proceedings in Phoenix, contact an attorney at MayesTelles PLLC for help. You can reach us at (602) 428-7104.

Consequences of Interfering with Judicial Proceedings

There are a number of potential consequences for an Interfering with Judicial Proceedings conviction. The maximum sentence a court can impose for being convicted of Interfering with Judicial Proceedings is 6 months in jail, a $2,500.00 fine, and up to three years of probation.

Domestic Violence Implications

Often, the underlying order of protection or injunction against harassment is related to a domestic violence situation, which would result in the charge of interfering with judicial proceedings being tied to a domestic violence offense. A conviction of interfering with judicial proceedings as a domestic violence offense could result in additional consequences, such as mandatory counseling and anger management. A third domestic violence charge within 7 years may be charged as aggravated domestic violence, a Class 5 felony.

Facing an interference with judicial proceedings charge?

If you are facing charges of Interfering with Judicial Proceedings, the prosecutor has the burden to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The attorneys at MayesTelles PLLC are experienced with these types of cases, and will exhaust every possible option when it comes to your defense.

Not all contact is illegal. Only intentional contact is prohibited under the order of protection; however, unintentional contact can be misconstrued and result in charges. Notwithstanding, the State must prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This is often a difficult burden to meet and can result in acquittal.

Contact MayesTelles for a Free Consultation

If you find yourself in a predicament where you are accused of violating a court order and charged with Interfering with Judicial Proceedings in Arizona, you need an experienced attorney to represent you sooner rather than later. The attorneys at MayesTelles PLLC can provide the skilled defense you need.

Call us at (602) 428-7104 to schedule your free initial consultation and speak to a lawyer about your case.