Athens Man Arrested After Terrorizing Officers and Resisting Arrest

Athens-Clarke County Judicial Center

Athens, Ga. - According to reports out of Athens, a local man was arrested on charges of terroristic threats and obstruction after yelling racial epithets, slurs, and cuss words at na officer.

The female officer involved in the case was harassed by the suspect at a red-light. She thought that he needed her assistance and so she rolled down the window of her patrol car. That is when the man started yelling vulgarities and threatening statements at the officer.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will focus the law of today's post on the offense of obstruction. See below.

Obstruction in Georgia

O.C.G.A. §16-10-24 outlines the crime of obstruction in Georgia. Obstruction can be charged as a felony or as a misdemeanor depending on the nature of the offense.

Misdemeanor obstruction is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24(a) as:

When a person knowingly or willfully obstructs or hinders any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties.

The penalty for a misdemeanor conviction in Georgia is a fine up to $1,000, jail time up to one year, or both. It can also come with community service, anger management classes, or any other punishments allowed under the misdemeanor sentencing laws of Georgia.

Felony obstruction is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24(b) as:

When a person knowingly and willfully resists, obstructs, or opposes any law enforcement officer, prison guard, correctional officer, community supervision officer, probation officer, or conservation officer in the lawful discharge of his or her official duties by offering or doing violence to the person.

The penalty for a felony obstruction conviction is a prison term between one and five years. In addition to any prison term imposed, the accused will pay a fine of at least $300. Furthermore, the penalty could include community service and anger management classes.

Practice Note

If arrested for a DUI or any other DUI related offense, call our offices now. We can help you determine what the next right action is with your case.