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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
A person is guilty of obstructing governmental administration when:
1. Such person intentionally obstructs, impairs or perverts the administration of law or other governmental function or prevents or attempts to prevent a public servant from performing an official function, by means of intimidation, physical force or interference, or by means of any independently unlawful act, or by means of interfering, whether or not physical force is involved, with radio, telephone, television or other telecommunications systems owned or operated by the state, or a county, city, town, village, fire district or emergency medical service or by means of releasing a dangerous animal under circumstances evincing the actor's intent that the animal obstruct governmental administration; or
2. With the intent to violate a closing order, order to seal, temporary closing order, or temporary order to seal issued by a governmental entity to address a public health or safety concern, such person damages or removes any padlock or other device installed for the purpose of effectuating such order.
Obstructing governmental administration is a class A misdemeanor.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New York Consolidated Laws, Penal Law - PEN § 195.05 Obstructing governmental administration in the second degree - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/penal-law/pen-sect-195-05/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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