On September 8, 2000, Ames Police Officer Todd Gohlmann stopped Jean Lillie for making an illegal left-hand turn. Lillie pulled into a parking lot and Gohlmann parked his squad car behind her vehicle. When Gohlmann approached Lillie's vehicle he noticed her window was open only about one quarter of an inch. He advised Lillie of the reason for the stop and requested her driver's license. Lillie appeared agitated and refused to produce her license. She also refused to provide her name, date of birth, or social security number. Lillie became more agitated and vocal and told Gohlmann that she felt harassed and intimidated. When Gohlmann realized Lillie did not intend to cooperate he requested back-up.

Officer John Nordyke responded to Gohlmann's request. After Nordyke arrived on the scene he spoke with Lillie. Nordyke was also unsuccessful in obtaining any information from her. Further investigation revealed the vehicle Lillie was driving had plates registered to a different vehicle. Nordyke called for a supervisor to come to the scene. Captain Kessel and Sergeant Brennan arrived a few minutes later. They were also unsuccessful in convincing Lillie to cooperate. Captain Kessel then requested a female officer. Officer Karen Mills responded to Kessel's call. She was also unable to obtain any information from Lillie. Mills described Lillie's behavior as "bizarre."

While officers continued to talk to Lillie, Nordyke used a "slim jim" to unlock the passenger side door of Lillie's vehicle. Lillie then got out of her vehicle. She appeared to be very angry with the officers. Captain Kessel told Lillie that they were going to tow her vehicle, but informed her she would be released if she signed citations. When Lillie again refused to cooperate, Kessel arrested her for interference with official acts. Lillie struggled with the officers as they handcuffed her. While Mills was placing Lillie into the back seat of her squad car Lillie kicked Mills in the thigh. The kick was painful to Mills and resulted in bruising to her thigh.

Mills transported Lillie to the police station. At the station, Lillie still would not cooperate. When Mills and Nordyke attempted to place Lillie face down on a cot in a holding cell to take her handcuffs off, Lillie kicked Nordyke in his left hip. Nordyke said the blow and resulting pain caused him to start "to go down."

Lillie's recollection of events differed substantially from the officers' accounts. She stated the she provided Gohlmann with proof of insurance and other forms of photo identification, which he refused to accept. She described Gohlmann as angry and rude. Lillie described Captain Kessel as angry and unprofessional. Lillie said she offered to take the tickets and leave without the car, but the officers would not let her. Lillie also said that she voluntarily unlocked her vehicle and exited.

Lillie claimed the officers pushed her against her car and roughly handcuffed her behind her back. She stated she was then thrown into a police car and claimed the car door was slammed on her shins. Lillie denied kicking Mills. After her arrest, Lillie complained of pain in her knees, her throat, and her wrists. She testified that at the police station she was thrown face down onto a concrete bench while her hands were still handcuffed. Lillie denied kicking Nordyke. She said that any contact was accidental.

On October 13, 2000, Lillie was charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer. Between October 2000 and March 2001, Lillie filed numerous pro se motions and pleadings. She then left the state and failed to appear on an outstanding warrant for more than one year. The district court appointed counsel for Lillie in September 2002. Lillie's counsel filed and later withdrew a motion to evaluate her competency.

On February 6, 2003, a jury trial commenced. Following trial the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts. On February 21, 2003, Lillie filed a motion in arrest of judgment. On February 28, 2003, the district court heard the motion, denied it, and sentenced Lillie to concurrent terms of thirty days incarceration on each count, with credit for time served, and imposed fines of $250. Lillie appeals.