Word: Obstruction of Justice
Definition:
"Obstruction of justice" is a legal term that refers to actions that prevent or interfere with the legal process of the court. This can include things like trying to influence or intimidate witnesses, jurors, or law enforcement officers involved in a case.
Usage Instructions:
- Use "obstruction of justice" when discussing legal situations where someone is trying to stop or make it harder for the law to do its job. - It is often used in formal contexts, such as legal discussions or news reports.
Example:
- "The suspect faced charges of obstruction of justice after he tried to bribe a witness to stay silent."
Advanced Usage:
- In legal cases, obstruction of justice can lead to serious consequences, including fines or imprisonment. Courts take these actions very seriously because they can compromise the fairness of a trial.
Word Variants:
- The verb form is "obstruct," which means to block or make it difficult for something to happen. - The noun form "obstruction" refers to the act of blocking or impeding something.
Different Meanings:
- While "obstruction" can refer to blocking anything (like a physical obstacle), in the context of justice, it specifically relates to legal proceedings.
Synonyms:
- Interference with justice - Hindrance to justice - Impeding justice - Tampering with evidence (a more specific form of obstruction)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
- "Throw a wrench in the works" - This idiom means to cause problems or complications, similar to how obstruction of justice complicates legal processes. - "Cover up" - This phrasal verb means to prevent the truth from being known, often related to attempts to obstruct justice.