Opinion ID: 1059589
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: public duties

Text: We do agree with Oulds that the prosecution must prove a law enforcement officer is performing his public duties to sustain a felony conviction under Va.Code Ann. § 18.2-57. Yet, we disagree with Oulds' view that the evidence in this case was insufficient to prove that Adams was engaged in the performance of public duties. The felony of which Oulds was convicted is defined in Code § 18.2-57(C). That statute provides that if any person commits an assault or an assault and battery against another knowing or having reason to know that such other person is a law-enforcement officer... engaged in the performance of his public duties as such, such person shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony . . . . The evidence, including Oulds' own testimony, clearly shows that Oulds committed an assault and battery upon Adams; that Oulds recognized Adams as a law enforcement officer; and that Adams was engaged in the arrest of a person who had committed a criminal trespass upon private property. [2] As the Court of Appeals' concluded, Adams' private employment did not relieve him of the responsibility or authority to maintain the peace, protect property, and enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. Accordingly, we hold that Adams was engaged in the performance of his public duties when he was assaulted by Oulds. Finding no error of record in this appeal, we will affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals. Affirmed.