[266]*266PER CURIAM:
Appellant was convicted below of obstruction of the administration of law1 and conspiracy2 to commit the same offense. After the filing and denial of post-verdict motions, the lower court sentenced appellant to a fine of $3,000 or one year imprisonment on the obstruction charge, and two years non-reporting probation on the conspiracy charge. Appellant now contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the charge of obstruction because the Commonwealth proved only an unsuccessful attempt, and no actual obstruction of justice. He also contends that he is entitled to a new trial on the conspiracy charge because the court admitted certain hearsay statements of an alleged co-conspirator without any extrinsic evidence that the declarant was a member of a conspiracy with appellant and because the statements were admitted in violation of the attorney-client privilege.
The facts are as follows. On June 17, 1976, in City Hall Courtroom 196 in Philadelphia, the Honorable Benjamin W. Schwartz was scheduled to preside over a suppression hearing in a case charging George Lam and Adolph Casparro with running an illegal lottery. Lam’s attorney, Richard L. Brown, Esq., testified that he intended to seek a continuance, but that Lam told him that a continuance was not necessary because the case had been “fixed” by appellant and James W. Gray, who was standing in the back of the courtroom. Brown notified the District Attorney’s office of the planned “fix”, and Assistant District Attorney John W. Morris and Detective James Kilgore came to Courtroom 196. They testified that they observed Lam and Casparro react in surprise when Judge Schwartz denied the motion to suppress, and turn and make eye contact with Gray. Gray left the courtroom and spoke to appellant, who said that he had spoken to the judge, and the judge might still blow out the case; if not he would give Gray his money back.
[267]*267Judge Schwartz testified that around 9:45 a. m. on this day, appellant came to him in his chambers, and pointing to the names of Lam and Casparro on his trial list sheet, informed him (falsely) that Judge McCabe was interested in those two defendants. Judge Schwartz said he would consider that and give it some thought. He further testified that the contact didn’t really mean much to him, and that he just decided the case on its merits, not giving any thought to the conversation again until the District Attorney’s office contacted him about it.
The present obstruction of justice statute reads in pertinent part: “A person commits a misdemeanor ... if he intentionally obstructs, impairs or perverts the administration of law. . . .”18 C.P.S.A. § 5101. In the opinion below refusing to arrest judgment, the court relied heavily upon the American Law Institute’s Comment on Section 208.30 of the Model Penal Code, from which § 5101 is wholly derived:
“(1) In General. The purpose of this section is to prohibit a broad range of behavior designed to impede or defeat the lawful operation of government. The section is therefore a general supplement to all the other provisions of Article 208 dealing with particular methods of interfering with proper functioning of the administration, e. g., bribery, intimidation, perjury, tampering with evidence, escapes ....
[HJaving determined in Section 208.14 that the offense of corruptly influencing official behavior should be limited to ‘official proceedings,’ to avoid penalizing simple requests for improper favors from legislators, law enforcement officers and the like, it would be inconsistent to prohibit in Sections 208.30 all efforts to obstruct, impair or pervert governmental operations.” (emphasis added).
There are no decisions on § 5101 which are directly on point, but some of the language from our prior cases indicates that § 5101 is concerned with the means used to obstruct justice, and not necessarily the end result of justice obstructed. For instance, in Commonwealth v. Kelly, 245 Pa.Super. 351, 369 A.2d 438 (1976), we upheld a § 5101 [268]*268conviction where the defendant, a Philadelphia police officer, falsely swore out an affidavit for a warrant to arrest, and thereby exposed the identity of, Andrew Maresse, an undercover agent who was investigating payoffs to defendant for noninterference with local gambling operations. We held that the arrest was a § 5101 obstruction, being “a means to an end, that being the hindrance of the investigation into the gambling operation.” Id., 245 Pa.Super. at 361, 369 A.2d at 443. In Commonwealth v. Creamer, 236 Pa.Super. 168, 345 A.2d 212 (1975), the defendant was charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy in withholding from police certain knowledge about a homicide in Crawford County. However, neither the alleged conspiracy nor any overt act took place in Crawford County. We held that even though the effect of justice being obstructed was felt in Crawford County, still venue could only lie in those counties where the alleged criminal conduct occurred. This also suggests that § 5101 is more concerned with the means or acts employed to bring about an obstruction of justice than the actual obstruction itself.
Even in the older, pre-§ 5101 cases, we notice a greater concern for the acts by which an obstruction is attempted, rather than the ultimate obstruction itself. In Commonwealth v. Frankfeld, 114 Pa.Super. 262, 173 A. 834 (1934), the defendant was convicted for obstructing an execution sale,3 although bids were taken and a sale did take place, because the riotous behavior of the crowds led by the defendant threatened to prevent a sale. The Court held: “The facts above narrated amply justified the jury in concluding that the sheriff was placed in fear of bodily harm, and that what was said and one by the defendant and those whom he was leading prevented him from executing the process in an orderly and legal manner.” Id., 114 Pa.Super. at 269, 173 A. at 836.
[269]*269The federal cases decided under the federal obstruction of justice statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1503, also make it clear that the offense comprehends corrupt attempts to influence or impede the judicial process.4 See U. S. v. Walasek, 527 F.2d 676, 679 n. 9 (3 Cir. 1975) (a non-coercive but corrupt attempt to influence is within the conduct proscribed); U. S. v. Fineman, 434 F.Supp. 197, 202 (E.D.Pa.1977), aff’d, 571 F.2d 572 (3d Cir. 1978) (Government need only show that defendant corruptly sought to impede efforts of grand jury). It should be noted, however, that the federal obstruction of justice statute specifically includes “endeavors” to influence or obstruct, language not used in the statute before us.5 Under the federal statute, the punishable “endeavor” need only be “some overt act directed towards some person whose action or failure to act could affect the outcome of the case.” U. S. v. Campbell, 350 F.Supp. 213, 214 (W.D.Pa.1972).
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
[266]*266PER CURIAM:
Appellant was convicted below of obstruction of the administration of law1 and conspiracy2 to commit the same offense. After the filing and denial of post-verdict motions, the lower court sentenced appellant to a fine of $3,000 or one year imprisonment on the obstruction charge, and two years non-reporting probation on the conspiracy charge. Appellant now contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the charge of obstruction because the Commonwealth proved only an unsuccessful attempt, and no actual obstruction of justice. He also contends that he is entitled to a new trial on the conspiracy charge because the court admitted certain hearsay statements of an alleged co-conspirator without any extrinsic evidence that the declarant was a member of a conspiracy with appellant and because the statements were admitted in violation of the attorney-client privilege.
The facts are as follows. On June 17, 1976, in City Hall Courtroom 196 in Philadelphia, the Honorable Benjamin W. Schwartz was scheduled to preside over a suppression hearing in a case charging George Lam and Adolph Casparro with running an illegal lottery. Lam’s attorney, Richard L. Brown, Esq., testified that he intended to seek a continuance, but that Lam told him that a continuance was not necessary because the case had been “fixed” by appellant and James W. Gray, who was standing in the back of the courtroom. Brown notified the District Attorney’s office of the planned “fix”, and Assistant District Attorney John W. Morris and Detective James Kilgore came to Courtroom 196. They testified that they observed Lam and Casparro react in surprise when Judge Schwartz denied the motion to suppress, and turn and make eye contact with Gray. Gray left the courtroom and spoke to appellant, who said that he had spoken to the judge, and the judge might still blow out the case; if not he would give Gray his money back.
[267]*267Judge Schwartz testified that around 9:45 a. m. on this day, appellant came to him in his chambers, and pointing to the names of Lam and Casparro on his trial list sheet, informed him (falsely) that Judge McCabe was interested in those two defendants. Judge Schwartz said he would consider that and give it some thought. He further testified that the contact didn’t really mean much to him, and that he just decided the case on its merits, not giving any thought to the conversation again until the District Attorney’s office contacted him about it.
The present obstruction of justice statute reads in pertinent part: “A person commits a misdemeanor ... if he intentionally obstructs, impairs or perverts the administration of law. . . .”18 C.P.S.A. § 5101. In the opinion below refusing to arrest judgment, the court relied heavily upon the American Law Institute’s Comment on Section 208.30 of the Model Penal Code, from which § 5101 is wholly derived:
“(1) In General. The purpose of this section is to prohibit a broad range of behavior designed to impede or defeat the lawful operation of government. The section is therefore a general supplement to all the other provisions of Article 208 dealing with particular methods of interfering with proper functioning of the administration, e. g., bribery, intimidation, perjury, tampering with evidence, escapes ....
[HJaving determined in Section 208.14 that the offense of corruptly influencing official behavior should be limited to ‘official proceedings,’ to avoid penalizing simple requests for improper favors from legislators, law enforcement officers and the like, it would be inconsistent to prohibit in Sections 208.30 all efforts to obstruct, impair or pervert governmental operations.” (emphasis added).
There are no decisions on § 5101 which are directly on point, but some of the language from our prior cases indicates that § 5101 is concerned with the means used to obstruct justice, and not necessarily the end result of justice obstructed. For instance, in Commonwealth v. Kelly, 245 Pa.Super. 351, 369 A.2d 438 (1976), we upheld a § 5101 [268]*268conviction where the defendant, a Philadelphia police officer, falsely swore out an affidavit for a warrant to arrest, and thereby exposed the identity of, Andrew Maresse, an undercover agent who was investigating payoffs to defendant for noninterference with local gambling operations. We held that the arrest was a § 5101 obstruction, being “a means to an end, that being the hindrance of the investigation into the gambling operation.” Id., 245 Pa.Super. at 361, 369 A.2d at 443. In Commonwealth v. Creamer, 236 Pa.Super. 168, 345 A.2d 212 (1975), the defendant was charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy in withholding from police certain knowledge about a homicide in Crawford County. However, neither the alleged conspiracy nor any overt act took place in Crawford County. We held that even though the effect of justice being obstructed was felt in Crawford County, still venue could only lie in those counties where the alleged criminal conduct occurred. This also suggests that § 5101 is more concerned with the means or acts employed to bring about an obstruction of justice than the actual obstruction itself.
Even in the older, pre-§ 5101 cases, we notice a greater concern for the acts by which an obstruction is attempted, rather than the ultimate obstruction itself. In Commonwealth v. Frankfeld, 114 Pa.Super. 262, 173 A. 834 (1934), the defendant was convicted for obstructing an execution sale,3 although bids were taken and a sale did take place, because the riotous behavior of the crowds led by the defendant threatened to prevent a sale. The Court held: “The facts above narrated amply justified the jury in concluding that the sheriff was placed in fear of bodily harm, and that what was said and one by the defendant and those whom he was leading prevented him from executing the process in an orderly and legal manner.” Id., 114 Pa.Super. at 269, 173 A. at 836.
[269]*269The federal cases decided under the federal obstruction of justice statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1503, also make it clear that the offense comprehends corrupt attempts to influence or impede the judicial process.4 See U. S. v. Walasek, 527 F.2d 676, 679 n. 9 (3 Cir. 1975) (a non-coercive but corrupt attempt to influence is within the conduct proscribed); U. S. v. Fineman, 434 F.Supp. 197, 202 (E.D.Pa.1977), aff’d, 571 F.2d 572 (3d Cir. 1978) (Government need only show that defendant corruptly sought to impede efforts of grand jury). It should be noted, however, that the federal obstruction of justice statute specifically includes “endeavors” to influence or obstruct, language not used in the statute before us.5 Under the federal statute, the punishable “endeavor” need only be “some overt act directed towards some person whose action or failure to act could affect the outcome of the case.” U. S. v. Campbell, 350 F.Supp. 213, 214 (W.D.Pa.1972).
For further illumination of what is meant by the concept of “obstruction” of justice, we may also look to the cases decided under 17 P.S. § 2041, granting summary criminal contempt powers to our trial courts, which reads in pertinent part: “The power of the . . . courts to inflict summary punishments for contempts of court shall be restricted to the following cases: .
III. To the misbehavior of any person in the presence of the court, thereby obstructing the administration of justice.”6 The cases under § 2041 definitely require that an obstructive effect be caused by the actor’s conduct before [270]*270summary criminal contempt may be inflicted. The Supreme Court recently said in Commonwealth v. Garrison, 478 Pa. 356, 372, 386 A.2d 971, 979 (1978): “An obstruction of the administration of justice is a significant disruption of judicial proceedings. . . . What is required is a showing of actual, imminent prejudice to a fair proceeding or the preservation of the court’s authority.”
See also In re November 1975 Special Investigating Grand Jury, 475 Pa. 123, 130, 379 A.2d 1313, 1317 (1977) (per ROBERTS, J.) (must show delay, frustration, disruption, or interference with court proceedings); In re Johnson, 467 Pa. 552, 561, 359 A.2d 739, 743 (1976) (must affect the process of trial in some way such as actual prejudice to a party); Tenenbaum v. Caplan, 454 Pa. 1, 4, 309 A.2d 428, 430 (1973) (must show interruption, disruption, or delay).
Federal cases construing the power of federal court judges to inflict summary criminal contempt also require that the act punished have an obstructive effect upon the court’s proceedings. See In re Michael, 326 U.S. 224, 66 S.Ct. 78, 90 L.Ed. 30 (1945) (perjury alone does not constitute an obstruction); Ex Parte Hudgings, 249 U.S. 378, 382-84, 39 S.Ct. 337, 63 L.Ed. 656 (1919) (same). But see Clark v. U. S., 289 U.S. 1, 53 S.Ct. 465, 77 L.Ed. 993 (1933) (concealment or misstatement by juror on voir dire is punishable because its tendency and design is to obstruct the process of justice).
We conclude that § 5101 includes intentional, albeit unsuccessful, attempts to influence, obstruct, or delay the administration of law. The Comment of the drafters of Section 208.30 of the Model Penal Code, from which § 5101 is wholly derived, indicates as much. Clearly the interest sought to be protected by § 5101 is the same as the federal obstruction of justice statute. Accordingly, notwithstanding the absence of the word “endeavor” in § 5101, we think that the federal cases, holding that a corrupt attempt to influence the judicial process is a criminal obstruction, are instructive in this regard. Although the holding we announce today is new, the result was foreshadowed by our opinions in Commonwealth v. Kelly, supra, and Commonwealth v. [271]*271Creamer, supra, when in construing § 5101 we were more concerned with the means by which the obstruction was attempted, rather than the actual obstructive effect. Indeed, we can see from Commonwealth v. Frankfeld, supra, that historically the concern in this area is not only to prevent the due administration of law from being corrupted, but also to insulate that process from all improper attempts to influence or intimidate, both to forestall the risk that a court officer, witness, or juror might be corrupted, and to preserve the public integrity of our system of justice from any appearance of impropriety.
It is one thing to say that a judge’s power to inflict summary criminal contempt for obstruction of justice should be limited to actual obstructions, and quite another to place that restriction upon the substantive offense of obstruction of justice. The contempt cases indicate that while a judge must have summary power to preserve a fair trial and his own authority, this power of summary disposition must be limited to actual obstructions of the judicial process to protect the actor’s own due process rights to notice and a hearing prior to the imposition of criminal sanctions. See In re Michael, supra; Commonwealth v. Garrison, supra.
In this case, appellant admits in his brief, and the record amply supports the conclusion, that we have a corrupt, intentional attempt to influence a judge’s decision in a pending criminal case. As such, we hold that the evidence was sufficient to prove the charge of obstruction of justice under § 5101.
Appellant also contends that Brown’s testimony should not have been admitted in evidence against him. This contention is without merit. As to the alleged lack of extrinsic evidence connecting the hearsay declarant (Lam) in a conspiracy with appellant, we note first that it is permissible to prove participation in a conspiracy by circumstantial evidence. Commonwealth v. Weitkamp, 255 Pa.Super. 305, 323-324, 386 A.2d 1014, 1023-24 (1978). Here, appellant sought to influence the decision of Judge Schwartz specifically in Lam’s case. When Judge Schwartz denied the [272]*272motion to suppress, Lam turned in surprise and looked at Gray, who left the courtroom and approached appellant, and engaged in a conversation incriminating both of them. From this evidence, extrinsic of Brown’s testimony, one could reasonably infer by a preponderance of the evidence, Commonwealth v. Hirsch, 225 Pa.Super. 494, 497, 311 A.2d 679, 680 (1973), that appellant was not acting as an unknown volunteer on behalf of Lam, but was rather conspiring with him and Gray to “fix” Lam’s case.
As to the claim based on the attorney-client privilege between Lam and Brown, appellant has no standing to invoke it. Commonwealth v. McKenna, 206 Pa.Super. 317, 322, 213 A.2d 223, 226 (1965); 8 Wigmore, Evidence § 2321 (McNaughton rev. 1961). Appellant claims that the privilege is by statute, 28 P.S. § 3217, a rule of competency, allowing anyone to invoke it, but cites for us no cases so construing the statute. In fact, the case of Estate of Dowie, 135 Pa. 210, 19 A. 936 (1890) holds exactly the opposite. Moreover, the scope of the privilege protects only disclosures made for the purpose of obtaining legal advice, Fisher v. U. S., 425 U.S. 391, 96 S.Ct. 1569, 48 L.Ed.2d 39 (1976), and not disclosures made during the commission of and in furtherance of a crime. U. S. v. Weinberg, 226 F.2d 161 (3d Cir. 1955). See also Code of Professional Responsibility, Disciplinary Rule 4-101(C)(3).
Judgments of sentence affirmed.
SPAETH, J., files a dissenting opinion, in which CER-CONE, President Judge, joins.
This case was decided prior to the retirement of JACOBS, former President Judge.
HOFFMAN, J., did not participate in the consideration or decision of this case.