Interfering with Judicial Proceedings
In Arizona, interfering with judicial proceedings is a class 1 misdemeanor, the more severe class of misdemeanors. Offenders can face up to six months of imprisonment.
Per A.R.S. 13-2810, interfering with judicial proceedings occurs when a person:
- Engages in disorderly, disrespectful or insolent behavior during a court session, directly resulting in the interruption of its proceedings or the disrespect of court authority.
- Disobeys or resists a court order, process, or mandate.
- Refuses to be sworn or affirmed as a witness in a court proceeding.
- Publishes a false or grossly inaccurate report of a court proceeding.
- Refuses to serve as a juror (unless exempted by law).
- Is selected to serve as a juror for a trial and inexcusably fails to attend.
This charge commonly occurs when individuals violate a valid Order of Protection or Injunction Against Harassment, as these are court orders.
Although tampering with evidence can affect judicial proceedings, it is actually not charged under this statute. Instead, tampering with evidence is a class 6 felony, as it is a more serious interference.
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