Getting arrested can be shocking. When you are being deprived of your freedom and forcibly placed in handcuffs, your instinct might be to resist, especially if you did not commit the crime you are being arrested for. While pulling away or trying to defend yourself in response to having force used against you may simply be an instinctual response, doing so might mean getting charged with the crime of resisting arrest. Even if you are cleared of the charges you were originally arrested for, you might still be convicted of resisting arrest. Resisting arrest is normally a misdemeanor, but can be charged as a felony if a law enforcement officer was injured as a result. An experienced Joliet, IL defense attorney can help you fight back against all of the charges you are facing.
Understanding Resisting Arrest Charges
When a police officer tells you that you are under arrest, doing almost anything except readily complying can lead to resisting arrest charges. Something as simple as pulling your arm away when the officer tried to handcuff you or taking a step back when he moved to grab you might be construed as resisting arrest. You do not need to have genuinely tried to escape or assaulted the officer to be convicted.