Georgia Man Fights Store Customers and Police Officers After Theft Attempt

According to reports out of Marietta, John Chavis has been arrested after not only attacking several customers at a local gas station but also attacking several police officers who subsequently attempted to arrest him.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon at a QT off of Fairground Street. Witnesses reported that Chavis attempted to steal a woman's purse while inside the station. Then when other customers came to her help, he began to get very violent. Chavis allegedly punched one of the employees multiple times as well as other customers in the vicinity.

Chavis is facing charges for obstruction and simple battery in Georgia.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the offenses committed by Chavis when he attempted to resist arrest by the police officers.

Obstruction in Georgia

As you can see from the story above, Chavis is being accused of both misdemeanor and felony obstruction. Obstruction in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24. In section A of the law, misdemeanor obstruction is defined as:

A person who knowingly and willfully obstructs or hinders any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties is guilty of a misdemeanor.

If a person is convicted of misdemeanor obstruction, then the penalty can include up to 12 months in jail as well as fines up to $1,000.

In section B of the law, felony obstruction is defined as:

Whoever knowingly and willfully resists, obstructs, or opposes any law enforcement officer, prison guard, correctional officer, probation supervisor, parole supervisor, or conservation ranger in the lawful discharge of his official duties by offering or doing violence to the person of such officer or legally authorized person is guilty of a felony and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.

If a person is convicted of felony obstruction, then the penalty can include up to 5 years in prison.

Practice Note

Behavior towards police officers is judged more harshly than behavior towards other citizens. Police officers have the role of maintaining the peace and protecting the public. So when an individual threatens them verbally or physically, then that person is facing some serious consequences.

However, this does not mean that everyone is accused of obstruction or resisting arrest is guilty of obstruction or resisting arrest. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a crime, please contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney today. We can help determine the best direction for your case.