Resisting Law Enforcement

RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT:

These charges come in two forms under Indiana law:

• Resisting law enforcement by force: A person who knowingly or intentionally forcibly resists, obstructs, or interferes with a law enforcement officer or a person assisting the officer while the officer is lawfully engaged in the execution of the officer’s duties or forcibly resists, obstructs, or interferes with the authorized service or execution of a civil or criminal process or order of a court commits resisting by force.
• Resisting law enforcement by flight: A person who knowingly or intentionally flees from a law enforcement officer after the officer has, by visible or audible means, including operation of the law enforcement officer’s siren or emergency lights, identified himself or herself and ordered the person to stop commits resisting by flight.

 THESE CASES CAN BE CHARGED BY DOING THE FOLLOWING:

• Refusing to unlock a door when a police officer is trying to get in
• Pulling away from a police officer when he tries to handcuff you
• Running away from a police officer when told to stop
• Failing to stop a vehicle quickly enough when an officer has their lights and sirens activated

WHAT CAN I BE CHARGED WITH?

 Resisting arrest charges can range from a class A misdemeanor to a level two felony depending on the circumstances. A defendant may face the following penalties for resisting an arrest:

• Class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year of jailtime and a fine of up to $5,000
• Level 6 felony: 6 months to 2.5 years jailtime
• Level 5 felony: 1 – 6 years jailtime
• Level 4 felony: 2 – 12 years jailtime
• Level 3 felony: 3 – 16 years jailtime
• Level 2 felony: 10 – 30 years jailtime

• A felony conviction can result in a fine up to $10,000.

Get Representation in Your Criminal Case:

Our attorneys are here to fight for your rights. Call 574-268-9995 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Indiana criminal defense lawyer you can trust.