Gainesville Inmate Faces More Charges After Attacking Officer

Hall County Courthouse

Gainesville, Ga. - According to Hall County authorities, an inmate who was originally incarcerated because of a probation violation in Georgia allegedly attacked an officer this week.

The inmate has been accused of charging at a deputy when he was performing routine check-ins. This led to him striking the officer in the face several times. He is now facing more charges including aggravated battery and obstruction of a law enforcement officer in Georgia.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I am familiar with just how often obstruction charges accompany charges of DUI in Georgia. Read below.

Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer 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.