Though there are few ways to obstruct justice in Virginia, typically the crime of obstruction occurs when “any person who, by threats or force, knowingly attempts to intimidate or impede a judge, magistrate, justice, juror, attorney for the Commonwealth, witness, any law-enforcement officer, or an animal control officer lawfully engaged in his duties as such, or to obstruct or impede the administration of justice in any court.” There are 6 main elements that the Commonwealth must prove in order to convict an individual for obstruction.
1) The individual knowingly;
2) attempted to;
3) intimidate or impede;
4) by threat or force;
5) a judge, magistrate, justice, juror, attorney for the Commonwealth, witness, any law enforcement officer, or animal control officer;
6) who is lawfully engaged in his or her duties as such.