The phrase "an official proceeding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to a formal event or process, such as a court hearing or legislative session.
Example: "The witness was called to testify during an official proceeding regarding the case."
Alternatives: "a formal hearing" or "an authorized session".
That is because destroying documents is not a crime unless it is done with the intent to impede an official proceeding.
The distinction is critical to the case; destroying documents is not illegal unless it is done with the intent of impeding an official proceeding.
In the law Andersen is charged under, an obstruction occurs when someone corruptly persuades another to destroy records with the intent of impeding an official proceeding.
In 1996, Commissioner Howard Safir announced a policy that he would fire any officer for lying to a superior or in an official proceeding.
As such, Mr. Criner and other jurors said, the jury agreed that Ms. Temple had "corruptly persuaded" Mr. Duncan to alter information for the purpose of impeding an official proceeding.
The government charged Andersen under the federal law that makes it a crime if a person "corruptly persuades" another person to alter documents to make them unavailable at an official proceeding.
But its lawyers deny that any official proceeding was under way, so no crime could be committed; federal prosecutors dismiss that argument, saying that the obstruction law allows for convictions even if the document destruction takes place before a preliminary inquiry has begun, so long as the defendant was trying to impede a future, easily anticipated inquiry.
Despite public opposition and a federal lawsuit, refuge officials proceeded to turn 252 of these horses over to a government contractor, Stan Palmer of J&S Associates in Mississippi, who is supposed to find them "quality" and "long-term" homes.
A Houston jury today convicted Arthur Andersen of obstructing an official government proceeding.
The official proceeding lasted for 39 days and included interviews with witnesses who were officers, civilians and enlisted men.
