Opinion ID: 1125029
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Interference with the Officers' Authority to Investigate

Text: The trial judge appears to have concluded defendant was guilty of resisting an officer in violation of R.S. 14:108, supra, because defendant's abusive language and move toward Officer Sharp interfered with the two officers' lawful authority to investigate. In State v. Huguet, 369 So.2d 1331 (La. 1979), we rejected the contention that interference with an officer's investigation is a violation of R.S. 14:108, resisting an officer. See also State v. Grogan, 373 So.2d 1300 (La.1979). We interpreted R.S. 14:108 as prohibiting conduct which obstructs officers acting in their official capacity, while attempting to seize property, serve process or arrest ... If the officer is not engaged in attempting one of those three things, then a defendant who opposes him cannot be considered guilty of resisting an officer. Consequently, any behavior of defendant, such as his movement toward Officer Sharp, which may have interfered with the investigation, did not provide grounds for arrest of defendant for violation of R.S. 14:108. The arrest cannot be found lawful on that ground. For the above reasons, we hold that the arrest of defendant in this case was unlawful, and because he had a right to resist the unlawful arrest, his conviction of resisting an officer must be reversed. REVERSED.