Georgia DUI and Obstruction of a Police Officer

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I have helped many clients with DUI cases that involve obstruction in Georgia. 

In today's post I will focus on the criminal offense of obstruction in Georgia as it goes hand in hand with DUI in Georgia. It tends to happen because of the amount of high emotion involved when a police officer begins an investigation. Investigations usually make people uncomfortable, and that can lead to people behaving in ways they do not typically behave. 

Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer in Georgia

Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer in Georgia is either a misdemeanor or a felony. The difference exists within the offense itself and whether or not the accused person offered or committed violence towards the officer. 

(1) Misdemeanor Obstruction is defined by the Georgia Code as:

When a person knowingly or willfully obstructs or hinders any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties. O.C.G.A. §16-10-24(a).

If convicted of misdemeanor obstruction, the penalty can be up to twelve months in jail, fines up to $1,000, or both.

(2) Felony Obstruction is defined by the Georgia Code as:

When a person knowingly and willfully resist, obstruct, or oppose 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. O.C.G.A. §16-10-24(b).

If convicted of felony obstruction, the penalty can be imprisonment of one to five years, a minimum fine of $300, community service, or anger management classes.

Practice Note

When an obstruction charge is combined with a DUI charge and a traffic violation, the Georgia DUI Penalties are greatly exacerbated. If you or a loved one has been arrested for obstruction and DUI in Georgia, contact our offices today. 

We will review the entirety of your case including all of the details to determine which DUI Defenses in Georgia best apply. Our firm has over 50 years of combined experience, and we specialize solely in Georgia DUI Defense.