Summary

Raises the criminal penalty for obstructing, intimidating, or influencing administration of justice by picketing or parading near a courthouse: the maximum prison term is increased from one year to five years. The change amends the punishment provision in Title 18, Section 1507 of the U.S. Code, increasing the statutory maximum sentence for that offense. The amendment affects people who engage in picketing or parading in a way that violates the obstruction-of-justice prohibition, and it changes potential sentencing outcomes for convictions under that statute. It does not create new offenses or add funding; it simply revises the maximum term of imprisonment.

Key Points

• Increases the statutory maximum prison term for obstruction via picketing or parading from one year to five years.
• Modifies only the punishment provision of 18 U.S.C. 1507; it does not redefine the offense.
• Does not create new criminal conduct or add funding or programmatic requirements.
• Will affect sentencing exposure for defendants convicted under the statute.
• May influence prosecutorial charging decisions and plea negotiations due to higher maximum exposure.
• Could raise constitutional and civil liberties concerns related to protest and free-speech protections.
• Implementation follows existing criminal procedure and federal sentencing guidelines; no implementation agency action is required.