FOCL Practice Test

What charge does Barry face for preventing the fire marshal from inspecting his restaurant?

1. Obstruction of Justice

2. Interference with public duties

3. Public Endangerment

4. Violation of Fire Codes

The correct answer is: Interference with public duties

Barry faces the charge of interference with public duties because he is obstructing a public official, specifically a fire marshal, from carrying out their mandated responsibilities. The role of the fire marshal includes inspecting establishments to ensure compliance with safety regulations and fire codes to protect the public and property. By preventing this inspection, Barry is interfering with the execution of that official duty, which is why this charge is applicable. Obstruction of justice typically pertains to interfering with law enforcement or judicial proceedings, which is a broader context than simply preventing a safety inspection. Public endangerment relates more to actions that could harm others but does not directly address the act of blocking an inspection. A violation of fire codes would suggest that the restaurant itself is failing to meet safety regulations, but it does not capture the act of preventing an inspection as an interference with the duties of a public official. Therefore, the most fitting charge in this scenario is interference with public duties.