# U.S.S.G. § 2A2.4: Obstructing or Impeding Officers

> Federal · Guidelines · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S2A2.4

## Section

- **Citation:** U.S.S.G. § 2A2.4
- **Heading:** Obstructing or Impeding Officers
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Guidelines
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** U.S. Sentencing Guidelines / Obstructing or Impeding Officers

## Text

(a) Base Offense Level: 10

(b) Specific Offense Characteristics (1) If (A) the offense involved physical contact; or (B) a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was possessed and its use was threatened, increase by 3 levels. (2) If the victim sustained bodily injury, increase by 2 levels.

(c) Cross Reference (1) If the conduct constituted aggravated assault, apply §2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault). Commentary Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 40A, 111, 1501, 1502, 2237(a)(1), (a)(2)(A), 3056(d). For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index). Application Notes: 1. Definitions.—For purposes of this guideline, “bodily injury”, “dangerous weapon”, and “firearm” have the meaning given those terms in Application Note 1 of the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions). 2. Application of Certain Chapter Three Adjustments.—The base offense level incorporates the fact that the victim was a governmental officer performing official duties. Therefore, do not apply §3A1.2 (Official Victim) unless, pursuant to subsection (c), the offense level is determined under §2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault). Conversely, the base offense level does not incorporate the possibility that the defendant may create a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person in the course of fleeing from a law enforcement official (although an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 758 for fleeing or evading a law enforcement checkpoint at high speed will often, but not always, involve the creation of that risk). If the defendant creates that risk and no higher guideline adjustment is applicable for the conduct creating the risk, apply §3C1.2 (Reckless Endangerment During Flight). Historical Note Effective October 15, 1988 (amendment 64)
although an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 758 for fleeing or evading a law enforcement checkpoint at high speed will often, but not always, involve the creation of that risk). If the defendant creates that risk and no higher guideline adjustment is applicable for the conduct creating the risk, apply §3C1.2 (Reckless Endangerment During Flight). Historical Note Effective October 15, 1988 (amendment 64). Amended effective November 1, 1989 (amendments 89 and 90); November 1, 1992 (amendment 443); November 1, 1997 (amendment 550); November 1, 2004 (amendment 663); November 1, 2005 (amendment 679); November 1, 2007 (amendment 699); November 1, 2023 (amendment 815); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836). * * * * * 3. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE AND OFFENSES RELATED TO REGISTRATION AS A SEX OFFENDER Historical Note Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 2007 (amendment 701).

## Nearby sections

- [U.S.S.G. § 1A1.1 Commission’s Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1A1.1.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.1 Application Instructions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.1.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.2 Applicable Guidelines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.2.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3 Relevant Conduct (Factors that Determine the Guideline Range)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.3.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.4 Information to be Used in Imposing Sentence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.4.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.5 Interpretation of References to Other Offense Guidelines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.5.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.6 Structure of the Guidelines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.6.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.7 Significance of Commentary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.7.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.8 Use of Certain Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.8.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.9 Class B or C Misdemeanors and Infractions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.9.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10 Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.10.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.11 Use of Guidelines Manual in Effect on Date of Sentencing (Policy Statement)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.11.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.12 Persons Sentenced Under the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act (Policy Statement)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.12.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13 Reduction in Term of Imprisonment Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) (Policy Statement)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S2A2.4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.