Can a Greensboro criminal defense attorney explain what the crime of resisting a public officer is? Yes, we can!
Resist, delay, obstruct (commonly known as “RDO”) is one very common way that people get charged with resisting a public officer. This can happen in several different ways, and it can be both physical and non-physical. When charged with a crime of resisting a public officer, you should always be sure to contact a Greensboro criminal defense attorney to be aware of all your options.
So, what is resisting, delaying, or obstructing? An RDO can happen when either someone resists an arrest or they delay or obstruct an officer who is performing his or her duties. Thus, if you’re being physically disruptive while the officer is trying to make an arrest, you can be charged with resisting a public officer. The same is true for a situation where you’re being loud or abusive and it delays an officer who is trying to make an investigation. Further, in some instances where an officer asks for identification and you refuse to give it to them, you can be charged with resisting a public officer. For example, if you’re pulled over for a seatbelt violation and an officer asks you to provide identification, you should always do it. What you can do when an officer addresses you is communicate with them in an orderly way to assert your rights or seek clarification. There are exceptions and defenses to this charge. For example, if you make a good-faith statement to an officer that ends up being false later on, you shouldn’t be found guilty of the charge because it was not a willful resistance or obstruction. Always seek out a Greensboro criminal defense attorney before making any final decisions about your case.
You should speak with a Greensboro criminal defense attorney for a full assessment of defenses for a resisting a public officer charge. The criminal defense attorneys at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, and Olson know the requirements of the law and also genuinely care about each case presented to them. Call today at (336) 379-0539; we are here to help!