Driver Aims Vehicle for Cobb County Officer in Powder Springs

Powder Springs, Ga. - According to reports, a driver that has been wanted by officers since August has finally been apprehended.

Police reports show that the man was pulled over for a routine traffic stop as a result of a minor traffic violation around 11:30 pm on a residential road in Powder Springs. The driver allegedly had a firearm in plain view of the officer who initiated the stop. The officer directed the driver to refrain from touching the weapon. The driver then fled the stop only to later accelerate and drive in the direction of the officer. This led to the officer firing his firearm at the vehicle.

The driver was later identified and according to officers, he also had an active warrant out of Illinois on felony charges. He was arrested this past week after being tracked to a home in Fulton County. He is currently being held in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Although the driver is apparently facing a number of charges, as a Powder Springs DUI Lawyer, I will focus on one of the more serious traffic/DUI related offenses that he has been accused of committing in today's post - obstruction. Obstruction is a charge that is people receive when officers feel that he or she is resisting the arrest process. This charge is frequently seen alongside charges for DUI in Powder Springs. Read below.

Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer

Obstruction can be charged as a felony or as a misdemeanor depending on the nature of the offense.

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

If you have been arrested in Powder Springs, it is important to have an attorney who is local to the area and is aware of how to represent you in your case. Our team is ready to help you today. Call us now.