Atlanta Driver Accused of DUI and Obstruction

Downtown Atlanta

According to reports out of Duluth, an Atlanta driver is facing 10 charges all relating to one traffic incident.

The driver has been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, attempting to flee police, crashing her vehicle, leaving the scene, and then resisting arrest.

Police stated that the driver was originally pulled over for a minor traffic violation. This led to her allegedly fleeing police which resulted in her colliding with a wall. She has been accused of jumping out of the wrecked vehicle and running away into some nearby woods.

A K-9 Unit was then sent to locate her which led to her arrest. The woman is facing charges of:

• Fleeing Police
• Hit and Run
• Obstruction
• DUI

Although this arrest occurred outside the city limits, as an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will cover one of the offenses faced by the woman - obstruction.

Obstruction in Georgia

Obstruction can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Both misdemeanor and felony obstruction are defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24.

The first part of the law outlines misdemeanor obstruction 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.

The second part of the law outlines felony obstruction 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

If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI in Atlanta, call our offices now. Not every case has this many charges associated with the DUI, however, most DUI cases have several related charges.

Just because a person has been accused of DUI does not mean that he or she is guilty of DUI. As a firm, we understand this concept. Call us today.