Driver Faces 10 Charges After Crash in Duluth

Gwinnett County Courthouse

Duluth, Ga. – A driver is facing 10 charges after being accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, attempting to flee police, crashing her vehicle, and leaving the scene.

According to reports, the driver was pulled over for a minor traffic violation. This led to her allegedly fleeing police which resulted in her colliding with a wall on Pleasant Hill Road. She has been accused of jumping out of the wrecked vehicle and running away into some nearby woods.

A K-9 Unit was then sent to locate her which led to her arrest. The woman is facing charges of:

• Fleeing Police in Georgia
• DUI in Georgia
• Open Container in Georgia
• Driving with a Suspended License in Georgia
• Obstruction in Georgia

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will only cover one of the offenses faced by the woman who is currently being held in Gwinnett County Jail – obstruction.

Obstruction in Georgia

Obstruction in Georgia can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Both misdemeanor and felony obstruction are defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24.

The first part of the law outlines misdemeanor obstruction as:

A person who knowingly and willfully obstructs or hinders any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties is guilty of a misdemeanor.

If a person is convicted of misdemeanor obstruction, then the penalty can include up to 12 months in jail as well as fines up to $1,000.

The second part of the law outlines felony obstruction as:

Whoever knowingly and willfully resists, obstructs, or opposes any law enforcement officer, prison guard, correctional officer, probation supervisor, parole supervisor, or conservation ranger in the lawful discharge of his official duties by offering or doing violence to the person of such officer or legally authorized person is guilty of a felony and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.

If a person is convicted of felony obstruction, then the penalty can include up to 5 years in prison.

Practice Note

Obstruction is often seen accompanied by a DUI charge. This is because most people are reluctant when it comes to being arrested after what might be a simple traffic violation or even testing under the legal limit. However, Georgia has some of the strictest laws on DUI in the country.

If you or a loved one has been arrested, call our offices now.