Victim of Car Crash Attacks Atlanta Police Officers

According to reports out of Atlanta, two Atlanta police officers were attacked by a man after they responded to an accident on Saturday night.

Two officers responded to the scene of a single-vehicle accident when they discovered the driver alone with a bloody head wound. The man then lunged at the officers and began attacking them.

One of the officers as well as the victim of the crime were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will outline the charge faced by the unidentified man in today's post.

Obstruction in Georgia

Georgia Law is outlined in the Georgia Code. The Georgia Code outlines the offense of obstruction in Georgia. The offense is outlined in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24. The statute itself defines two different levels of obstruction by not only the seriousness of the offense but also the severity of the consequences if convicted.

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

There are many different ways that a person can commit the offense of obstruction. Examples of obstruction include: resisting arrest, hindering a police investigation, lying to an officer, running from the scene of an arrest, giving false information to police, threatening an officer, hitting an officer, etc.

Obstruction is often charged alongside DUI in Georgia. If you or a loved one has been arrested for these offenses, contact a Georgia DUI Attorney today.