Man Opens Fire on Hall County Officers in Gainesville

Hall County Courthouse

Gainesville, Ga. - According to reports, the suspect who was arrested in a violent incident with police officers in Hall County is now facing more charges.

Originally charged with obstruction and aggravated assault on a police officer, the man is now facing criminal attempt to commit murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Police were called to the scene after multiple reports of a man who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol was outside of his hotel on Jesse Jewell Parkway with a firearm. When police arrived at the scene, the man allegedly opened fire on them.

As a Hall County DUI Lawyer, I will outline the law behind the offense of obstruction even though the man is facing much more serious charges. Obstruction is an offense that quite often seen alongside DUI in Georgia.

Obstruction in Georgia

The Georgia Code defines obstruction in Georgia in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24. 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

Call our offices now if you are facing a DUI charge in the state of Georgia. We have decades of experience handling DUI cases including all charges related to DUI - including resisting arrest and drug possession charges. Call us now.