{"id":372797,"date":"2018-01-17T00:36:10","date_gmt":"2018-01-17T05:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-resisting-arrest-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-10T00:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T05:38:00","slug":"georgia-resisting-arrest-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-resisting-arrest-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Resisting Arrest Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Resisting Arrest Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Resisting arrest in Georgia falls under the crime of obstruction of a law enforcement officer, which prohibits knowingly and willfully obstructing or hindering officers from performing their official duties. Obstruction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail, but becomes a felony with one to five years in prison if violence or threats of violence are involved. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Both civilians and police\u00a0<\/span>officers<\/span> must act in a certain way<\/a>\u00a0during an arrest. However, you don’t really have to be under arrest to run afoul of Georgia<\/span>‘s resisting arrest<\/span> laws. This is because, under Georgia<\/span> law<\/span>, resisting arrest<\/span> is a broader offense called obstruction of a <\/span>law enforcement officer<\/span>. This law prohibits anyone from interfering with an officer while the officer is performing official duties<\/span>. For example, if you interfere with someone else’s arrest, give the police false information<\/span> or a false identification, or tamper with evidence, you could be charged with this crime.<\/p>\n

If you’re facing obstruction charges<\/span> or have questions about your rights during a police encounter, contact a\u00a0criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a>\u00a0near you. They can evaluate your case and help protect your rights.<\/p>\n

What Is Obstruction of a <\/span>Law Enforcement Officer<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

In Georgia<\/span>, what many people think of as “resisting arrest<\/span>” falls under the broader criminal offense of obstruction of law enforcement. Georgia<\/span> law<\/span>, \u00a0O.C.G.A<\/span>. \u00a7 16-10-24<\/a>, which covers this criminal offense, applies beyond mere arrest.<\/p>\n

To convict you of obstruction, prosecutors must prove four elements:<\/p>\n