Obstruction of a Police Officer – Not Guilty

An off duty police officer suspected that my client was driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The officer followed my client for many miles before the Island Lake Police Department took over the pursuit. My client exited his vehicle and ran into his house before the police could reach his front door. He would not open the door for the police. Eventually my client turned himself in to the police department. He was charged with obstructing a police officer by not complying with commands to stop after he exited his car. My office believed that we could beat this case so we went to trial. I argued that the police officer could not properly identify because it was night time and he was walking away from the officer at the time she observed him. The cross-examination of the officer was so effective that the judge granted my motion for a directed verdict and I was not even required to call any of my witnesses.