Which describes Obstructing Governmental Administration (M)?

Which describes Obstructing Governmental Administration (M)?

• A. Intentionally obstructs, impairs or prevents the administration of law or other government function, or prevents a public servant from performing official functions by intimidation, physical force, a dangerous animal, or interference with governmental telecommunications.
• B. Interferes with governmental telecommunications thereby causing someone else to suffer.
• C. Breaks a window during a protest.
• D. Fails to obey a lawful order.

Answer: (A)

This item tests understanding of Obstructing Governmental Administration, which is the act of intentionally hindering the administration of law or another government function, or preventing a public servant from performing official duties. The statute covers not just blocking the work in general, but doing so through specific means: intimidation, physical force, a dangerous animal, or interference with governmental telecommunications. That combination—intent to obstruct, the target being government function or a public servant, and one of those listed methods—is what makes the offense. The best description among the choices is the one that states these elements together: deliberate obstruction or impairment of the administration of law or other government function, or preventing a public servant from performing official duties by intimidation, physical force, a dangerous animal, or interference with governmental telecommunications. This aligns with the exact conduct the statute punishes and emphasizes both the purpose (to obstruct) and the legitimate means. Other options miss the full scope. Interfering with governmental telecommunications is a component, but it doesn’t by itself capture the broader intent to obstruct government operations or a public servant’s duties, and the consequence described isn’t the defining feature. Breaking a window describes property damage rather than obstructing government functions. Failing to obey a lawful order refers to a separate offense and doesn’t specify the act of obstructing government administration.

This item tests understanding of Obstructing Governmental Administration, which is the act of intentionally hindering the administration of law or another government function, or preventing a public servant from performing official duties. The statute covers not just blocking the work in general, but doing so through specific means: intimidation, physical force, a dangerous animal, or interference with governmental telecommunications. That combination—intent to obstruct, the target being government function or a public servant, and one of those listed methods—is what makes the offense.

The best description among the choices is the one that states these elements together: deliberate obstruction or impairment of the administration of law or other government function, or preventing a public servant from performing official duties by intimidation, physical force, a dangerous animal, or interference with governmental telecommunications. This aligns with the exact conduct the statute punishes and emphasizes both the purpose (to obstruct) and the legitimate means.

Other options miss the full scope. Interfering with governmental telecommunications is a component, but it doesn’t by itself capture the broader intent to obstruct government operations or a public servant’s duties, and the consequence described isn’t the defining feature. Breaking a window describes property damage rather than obstructing government functions. Failing to obey a lawful order refers to a separate offense and doesn’t specify the act of obstructing government administration.