Georgia Officers Shoot Man Resisting Arrest

According to reports out of Athens Clarke County, an officer resulted to shooting a suspect who allegedly wielded a machete at him.

Right now, the incident is under heavy investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The officer shot after the man brandished the machete in a threatening manner and after the officer had clearly stated for him to lower the weapon.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline one of the possible charges that the man in the story above could be facing as a result of his actions.

Obstruction in Georgia

Obstruction in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-10-24. By law there are two different levels of obstruction. The first level of obstruction is referred to as misdemeanor obstruction and 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.

The second level of obstruction is referred to as felony obstruction and 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.

Being convicted of misdemeanor obstruction results in Georgia Misdemeanor Penalties. This means that a conviction can result in 12 months of jail time and fines up to $1,000. Being convicted of felony obstruction results in Georgia Felony Penalties. This means that a conviction can result in up to five years of prison time.

Practice Note

Regardless of whether or not you are facing a misdemeanor or a felony - if you have been convicted of a crime, contact our offices today. A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney can help you with your case now. No one should face the criminal justice system on their own. Call now.