1. (a) A person is guilty of obstruction of justice when the person corruptly intimidates, influences, obstructs, or impedes the administration of law, a law-enforcement investigation, or any other inquiry authorized by law, including criminal, civil, or administrative inquiries.

2. (b) Obstruction of justice is classified and punished as follows:

   1. (1) Obstruction of justice is a class D felony if a person uses force, violence, or physical interference when the person commits or attempts to commit an act under subsection (a) of this section.

   2. (2) Obstruction of justice is a class G felony if a person does any of the following when the person commits or attempts to commit an act under subsection (a) of this section:

      1. a. Conceals, alters, or destroys material evidence.
      2. b. Bestows money or any other benefit upon another person.
      3. c. Commits a breach of official duty or creates an obstacle.
   3. (3) If a person intentionally commits or attempts to commit any crime under the laws of this State, other than a crime enumerated under paragraphs (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, when the person commits or attempts to commit an act under subsection (a) of this section, obstruction of justice is 1 class higher than the underlying offense.
   4. (4) All other violations under subsection (a) of this section are a class A misdemeanor.

3. (c) For purposes of this section:

   1. (1) “Corruptly” means acting with an improper purpose, personally or by influencing another, including any of the following:

      1. a. Making a false or misleading statement.
      2. b. Withholding, concealing, altering, or destroying a document or other information.
   2. (2) “Obstacle” means any effort or scheme intended to delay or interfere with a law-enforcement investigation or any other inquiry authorized by law, including criminal, civil, or administrative inquiries. An “obstacle” may be a threat, act, or physical object.

4. (d) This section does not apply to any of the following:

   1. (1) Flight by a person charged with a crime.
   2. (2) Refusal to submit to arrest.
5. (e) Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over violations of this section.

84 Del. Laws, c. 228, § 1