Obstruction of administration of justice by undue influence

The influence of those with political power, wealth, social connections, control over career advancement, or connections with those prepared to enforce physical threats, can be used to obstruct or pervert the administration of justice. This may take the form of persuading the competent authorities to drop charges or suppress evidence, or persuading those with evidence not to testify or to perjure themselves. Alternatively efforts may be made to use the evidence, suitably interpreted, to convict an innocent person or ensure that a person only marginally involved takes full responsibility for the crime. Such a scapegoat role may be undertaken voluntarily in exchange for appropriate compensation when then sentence has been completed. Such compensation may take the form of support for the person's family, especially if the sentence involves life imprisonment or death.