Crimes Involving Conduct with Police Officers in Georgia

Recently, I've written blogs about certain crimes where people are being charged with offenses involving their conduct with law enforcement officers. These are known as crimes against public administration in Georgia. Let's focus on a few of them.

Obstruction 

This is a charge I've written a lot about in recent posts. Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer in Georgia can be a misdemeanor or a felony. A misdemeanor obstruction charge is defined by Georgia law 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). A felony obstruction charge is defined by Georgia law 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). According to the statute, the only difference between the obstruction offenses is offering or committing violence towards the officer. 

If you are convicted of the misdemeanor obstruction offense, you could face up to twelve months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, or both. If you are convicted of the felony obstruction offense, you could face anywhere from one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $300, community service, or anger management classes.

Giving False Information to the Police

This is also known as Giving a False Name, Address, or Birthdate to a Law Enforcement Officer in Georgia. According to Georgia law, O.C.G.A. §16-10-25, “a person will be guilty of a crime when they give a false name, address, or date of birth to a law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties with the intent of misleading the officer as to their identity or birthdate.”

If you are convicted of giving a false name, address, or birthdate to a law enforcement officer, you are guilty of a misdemeanor and could face a penalty of up to twelve months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, or both. 

False Report of a Crime

Falsely reporting a crime can cause huge problems for officers. Georgia law defines Transmitting a False Report of a Crime in Georgia as “when a person willfully and knowingly gives or causes a false report of a crime to be given to any law enforcement officer or agency of the state.” O.C.G.A. §16-10-26. 

If you are convicted of transmitting a false report of a crime in Georgia, you are guilty of a misdemeanor and could face up to twelve months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, or both. 

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime against public administration, you need a top-rated Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney. Contact our offices today.