Obstruction of Justice Law: Preventing Interference in Investigations

On Tuesday, December 12, 2017, the ACS-CREW Presidential Investigation Education Project hosted a panel of constitutional and criminal law experts and discussed issues relating to obstruction of justice in the context of Robert Mueller's Special Counsel investigation. The panel discussion features Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Kimberly Atkins, Norm Eisen, Barb McQuade, and Jed Shugerman.

The ACS-CREW Presidential Investigation Education Project is a joint initiative to promote informed public evaluation of the investigation by Special Counsel Mueller and related inquiries.

Reports that Special Counsel Robert Mueller may be examining allegations that the President or his associates attempted to interfere with investigations into Russian influence on the 2016 election have spurred public questions about obstruction of justice law and precedent. What are the major laws governing interference with investigations? Do these laws apply differently to the President, other top Administration officials, and private parties? How do prosecutors build an obstruction of justice case? And what options would Congress and the Special Counsel have if the Special Counsel were to find evidence of obstruction?

Kimberly Atkins, Chief Washington Reporter and Columnist, The Boston Herald (Moderator)
Norman L. Eisen, Chairman, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, former White House Special Counsel on Ethics and Government Reform, and former Ambassador to the Czech Republic
Barbara L. McQuade, Professor from Practice, University of Michigan Law School, and former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan
Jed Shugerman, Professor of Law, Fordham University School of Law

With Remarks by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)