People v. Morales

OPINION OF THE COURT

Mario F. Mattei, J.

“As public servants, the police perform the lion’s share of services expected of local government. Among other functions, the police in a democratic society are charged with the protection of constitutional rights, the maintenance of order, the control of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, the mediation of domestic and other noncriminal conflicts and supplying emergency help and assistance” (People v De Bour, 40 NY2d 210, 218 [1976]).

The defendant was arraigned on March 29, 2011 and charged with obstruction of governmental administration in the second…