Is it a criminal offence to make threats or violence to deter a police officer from performing his or her duties?

Section 69 provides: "[E]very person who attempts, by means of any threat or violence, to deter or prevent an executive officer from performing any duty imposed upon such officer by law, or who knowingly resists, by the use of force or violence, such officer, in the performance of his duty, is punishable by a fine ... by imprisonment ... or by both ...." Section 69 is designed to protect police officers against violent interference with performance of their duties." (People v. Martin (2005) 133 Cal.App.4th 776, 782.)

A defendant who attempts with threats or violence to deter an officer from performing his or her duties is guilty of violating section 69. (People v. Campbell (2015) 233 Cal.App.4th 148, 160.) Section 69 is violated when a person attempts to deter a police officer or actually resists the officer. (People v. Carrasco (2008) 163 Cal.App.4th 978, 984.)

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