Crimes: obstruction of justice.

Existing law makes it a crime to maliciously, and with the intent to obstruct justice or the due administration of laws, or with the intent or threat to inflict imminent bodily harm in retaliation for the due administration of the laws, to publish, disseminate, or otherwise disclose the residence address or telephone number of any peace officer, nonsworn police dispatcher, employee of a city police department or county sheriff's office, or public safety official, or that of the spouse or children of those persons, as specified. This bill would broaden this crime to include taking those actions with the intent to cause intimidation, harassment, as defined, or a threat to inflict bodily harm in retaliation for the due administration of laws. The bill would also make this crime apply to those actions taken against an elected or appointed official, or the immediate family, as defined, of any of the officials listed above, and would make the crime apply to the release of a license plate or description of the vehicle of any of those individuals. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.