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New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 195.08 — Obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 195: Official Misconduct and Obstruction of Public Servants Generally, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 195.08

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 195.08Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
195.08 Obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device. A person is guilty of obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device when, with the intent to prevent a police officer or peace officer from performing a lawful duty, he causes temporary physical impairment to a police officer or peace officer by intentionally discharging a self-defense spray device, as defined in paragraph fourteen of subdivision a of section 265.20 of this chapter, thereby causing such temporary physical impairment. Obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device is a class D felony.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What class of felony is obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device in New York?

Obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device is a Class D Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 195.08.

Which New York statute covers obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device?

Obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 195.08 (Obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.