Driving Law Episode 455: Obstruction, Sovereign Citizens & Fleeing Traffic Stops

In Episode 455 of Driving Law, Kyla Lee and Paul Doroshenko discuss two recent BC court decisions involving obstruction and failing to stop for police. The first case examines whether refusing to identify yourself during a traffic stop can amount to criminal obstruction, and why a self-described “sovereign citizen” ended up with a criminal conviction after refusing to provide his legal name. Kyla and Paul explain the court’s analysis of obstruction, regulatory offences, and the limits of pseudo-legal arguments. They also break down a BC decision involving a driver who stopped for police, then drove away before the traffic stop was complete. The court considers whether there can be a conviction for flight from police when officers choose not to pursue, and whether running a stale red light amounted to dangerous driving. Plus, the Ridiculous Driver of the Week features a man sitting in the open trunk of an SUV while filming sports cars on an Ontario highway. Check out the "Lawyer Told Me Not To Talk To You" T-shirts and hoodies at Lawyertoldme.com and "Sit Still Jackson" at sitstilljackson.com.