Fairfield Resisting Arrest Lawyer
A Fairfield resisting arrest lawyer may be able to help you. A local domestic violence attorney can explain the legal concepts that apply to your case, perform an in-depth investigation into the incident, identify your goals, and work to make those goals a reality both in and out of court.
What is Resisting Arrest?
Connecticut law makes it clear that it is illegal to impede a police officer’s work in any way. While there is no official crime titled “resisting arrest”, it falls under the umbrella of “interfering with an officer” as defined in Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167a. This statute says that it is against the law to interfere with the duties of any peace officer of the state. This includes police officers, firefighters, and even motor vehicle inspection agents.
You can be arrested for this serious crime even without causing any harm to a police officer. If you do cause harm or it’s perceived that it was your intent to, you may be charged with assault on a peace officer.
What Are the Penalties for Resisting Arrest?
The core offense of interfering with a police officer is a Class A misdemeanor where a conviction can result in a fine of up to $2,000, a year in jail, or both. If the incident results in the death or serious injury of any party other than the defendant, the offense upgrades to a Class D felony. Under Connecticut law, a Class D felony may result in a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. A Fairfield resisting arrest attorney can provide more information about the concept of interfering with a police officer and the potential penalties.
What Are Some Examples of Resisting Arrest Behaviors?
State law prohibits any act that interferes with the duties of a peace officer. But what exactly does this mean? This may include:
- Knowingly providing false information or identification
- Helping another person to evade police
- Slowing or misdirecting an officer during pursuit
The key concept in each of these examples is the idea of intent. A prosecutor can only obtain a conviction if they can show that a defendant intended to misdirect the officer. As a result, it may be possible for a Fairfield attorney to argue that a defendant did not know that the person was a police officer or that their supposed interference was merely a mistake.
Let a Fairfield Resisting Arrest Attorney Take the Lead in Your Case
A Fairfield resisting arrest lawyer is ready to fight for you. Call an experienced attorney who can evaluate the depth of the prosecutor’s case, help gather evidence that supports your position, and fight on your behalf. The dedicated lawyers at Mark Sherman Law are available to take your call 24/7 at (203) 358-4700. Head on over to Avvo.com to read our client reviews and to learn what it’s like to work with our office.