Fischer v. United States
The Conclusion
**The Supreme Court held 6-3 that the federal obstruction statute covers only acts impairing evidence or records, not general disruption of an official proceeding.** The decision narrowed charges against over 350 January 6 defendants whose conduct allegedly blocked Congress but did not target documentary evidence.
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Case Analysis
Overview
After January 6, the Justice Department charged hundreds of defendants under an obstruction statute originally written after Enron, making it a crime to corruptly obstruct an official proceeding. Joseph Fischer, a former police officer who entered the Capitol, challenged whether the statute reached his conduct. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the obstruction charge only covers acts that impair evidence or records, not any disruption of an official proceeding, and sent the case back. The ruling narrowed charges against more than 350 January 6 defendants.
Conclusion
**The Supreme Court held 6-3 that the federal obstruction statute covers only acts impairing evidence or records, not general disruption of an official proceeding.** The decision narrowed charges against over 350 January 6 defendants whose conduct allegedly blocked Congress but did not target documentary evidence.
Notes
OT2023. Added via SCOTUS bulk import 2026-05-14
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