People naturally try to avoid harmful situations. We are hard-wired to engage in a “fight or flight” response, and it is reasonable to expect someone to do whatever they can to prevent something negative from happening to them. When it comes to being arrested, this instinct can be problematic. In Illinois, resisting arrest is treated as a serious charge with severe consequences. There are various directions you could pursue to defend yourself against these charges. The best step you can take is to find a reliable Will County, IL criminal defense lawyer to advise you on how to proceed.
Resisting Arrest Charges Explained
If you knowingly resist or obstruct a police officer who is trying to arrest you, you could be accused of resisting arrest. That can include fleeing, physically fighting with them, or providing false information. This is generally charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which can be punished with fines up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail. If anyone else, including the police officer or a bystander, gets injured in the process, it can be charged as a felony, with harsher penalties.