Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1509: Obstruction of court orders

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Whoever uses threats or force to prevent or obstruct compliance with a court order, judgment, or decree may be fined or imprisoned for up to one year, or both.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever, by threats or force, willfully prevents, obstructs, impedes, or interferes with, or willfully attempts to prevent, obstruct, impede, or interfere with, the due exercise of rights or the performance of duties under any order, judgment, or decree of a court of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. No injunctive or other civil relief against the conduct made criminal by this section shall be denied on the ground that such conduct is a crime.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.