Patterson v. State, 381 S.E.2d 754 (Ga. Ct. App. 1989). · Go Syfert
Patterson v. State, 381 S.E.2d 754 (Ga. Ct. App. 1989). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
23 citation events across 3 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: State v. Stone (vt, 2000-05-12)
Treatment trajectory · 1990 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1990 2008 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 6 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Stone
Vt. · 2000 · confidence medium
Cir. 1998) (Rogala arrested for “disobeying [officer’s] order to return to the car after she had interfered with the field sobriety test that he was conducting”); Reed v. State, 422 S.E.2d 15, 17 (Ga. Ct. App. 1992) (officer in process of investigating defendant for driving under the influence when defendant walked inside house and disappeared, ignoring orders to stop); Patterson v. State, 381 S.E.2d 754, 755 (Ga. Ct. App. 1989) (after being stopped for speeding, driver exited car and refused order to reenter the car; driver was verbally abusive and stayed in dangerous spot in roadway); …
discussed Cited "see" Walker v. State (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See Patterson v. State, 191 Ga. App. 359 (1) ( 381 SE2d 754 ) (1989), overruled on other grounds, Duke v. State, 205 Ga. App. 689, 690 ( 423 SE2d 427 ) (1992).
discussed Cited "see" Hendrix v. State (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See generally Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979).” Patterson v. State, 191 Ga. App. 359 ( 381 SE2d 754 ). 2.
discussed Cited "see" Vaughn v. State (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1990 · signal: see · confidence high
See Patterson v. State, 191 Ga. App. 359 (1) ( 381 SE2d 754 ) (1989).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Turner v. County of Washoe (2×)
D. Nev. · 1991 · signal: see also · confidence low
See also, Patterson v. State, 191 Ga.App. 359 , 381 S.E.2d 754 (1989) (defendant’s refusal to return to his car during a traffic stop amounted to obstructing a policy officer in *635 the performance of his duties), and State v. Manning, 146 N.J.Super. 589 , 370 A.2d 499 (1977) (defendant guilty of interfering with police officer when he refused to return to his car during a traffic stop, even though there was no direct contact).
examined Cited "see, e.g." Williams v. State (4×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1990 · signal: see also · confidence low
See also Patterson v. State, 191 Ga. App. 359 ( 381 SE2d 754 ).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Patterson
v.
the State
A89A0426.
Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Apr 3, 1989.
381 S.E.2d 754
Janet G. Scott, for appellant., Robert E. Keller, District Attorney, Daniel J. Cahill, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.
Banke, Sognier, Pope.
Cited by 12 opinions  |  Published
Banke, Presiding Judge.

Barbara Patterson appeals her convictions of (misdemeanor) obstruction of a law enforcement officer (OCGA § 16-10-24 (a)), impersonating an officer, and speeding.

After being stopped for speeding by an officer of the Lake City Police Department, the appellant exited her car and began to approach the police vehicle. The officer testified that he asked the appellant to remain where she was, whereupon she responded with a “verbal tirade” of abusive language and claimed to be an Atlanta police officer. He stated that the appellant continued to refuse to comply with his instructions that she leave the road and return to her car, although, in his opinion, her presence in the roadway posed a safety hazard to both of them. He then advised her that she would be arrested for obstructing an officer if she continued to disobey. Several minutes later, the chief of police arrived on the scene in response to the first officer’s call for assistance; and the two officers arrested the appellant and removed her from the roadway. At a subsequent bond hearing, the appellant informed the magistrate that she was a City of Atlanta police officer; however, it was shown at trial that she was not actually a police officer, although she was employed by the City of Atlanta Police Department in a civilian capacity as a crime scene technician. Held:

1. The appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support her conviction of obstructing an officer. The offense is committed by “knowingly and willfully obstructing] or hinder [ing] any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties. . . .” OCGA § 16-10-24 (a). “In order to prove obstruction of an officer, there must be some evidence of forcible resistance or opposition to the officer in the performance of his duties.” Samples v. State, 151 Ga. App. 179 (259 SE2d 178) (1979). Whether the actions of a defendant actually had the effect of hindering or impeding the officer is a decision for the trier of fact. Sapp v. State, 179 Ga. App. 614 (1) (347 SE2d 354) (1986). We hold that the evidence in the present case was sufficient to enable a rational trier of fact to find the appellant[*360] guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the offense of obstructing an officer. See generally Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979).

Decided April 3, 1989 Rehearing denied April 19, 1989 Janet G. Scott, for appellant. Robert E. Keller, District Attorney, Daniel J. Cahill, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.

2. Prior to trial, the appellant filed a Brady motion requesting access to the personnel records of the two arresting officers, “showing the reason for leaving any previous law enforcement employment” and also “any disciplinary action taken in the course of their . . . employment.” On appeal, she contends that the trial court erred in failing to order the production of these files for inspection in camera.

“When the defense seeks to discover the personnel files of an investigating law enforcement officer, some showing of need must be made.” Cargill v. State, 255 Ga. 616, 638 (23) (340 SE2d 891) (1986). See also Taylor v. State, 182 Ga. App. 494 (1) (356 SE2d 216) (1987). Because the appellant failed to establish how the officers’ files were relevant or material to her guilt or innocence, the trial court did not err in refusing to order the production of these documents.

Judgment affirmed.

Sognier and Pope, JJ., concur.