Weston Resisting Arrest Lawyer
Any act by a person takes that hinders a police officer’s job may lead to their arrest for a criminal offense. A Weston resisting arrest lawyer may be able to help you build a strong defense and fight for your both future and your name.
What Is Resisting Arrest?
There is no statute under Connecticut law called “resisting arrest.” Instead, police officers have the authority to arrest any person who they believe has interfered with their official duties. This can include taking physical acts to prevent an arrest, but it may also include:
- Slowing an officer during a chase;
- Providing knowingly false information to the police; or
- Helping another person to escape arrest or questioning.
According to Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167a, these activities fall under the umbrella of “interfering with a police officer.” This statute is fairly broad which could lead to arrests in many situations, often alongside other charges.
What Happens If I’m Convicted?
A conviction under this law is usually a Class A misdemeanor. This means that a conviction can result in a fine of up to $2,000, a jail sentence of up to one year, or both. However, if the incident results in the death or serious physical injury of another person, the charges upgrade to a Class D felony. Here, the maximum fine rises to a maximum of $5,000, and the maximum prison term rises to five years. A Weston resisting arrest attorney can help people to better understand the state’s laws concerning interfering with a police officer.
Does The State’s Interference Statute Cover More Than Just Police Officers?
It is true that most people facing prosecution under the state’s interfering with an officer laws involve allegations of resisting arrest by a police officer. However, the statute is much broader than this.
The law states that it is illegal to interfere with peace officers but also includes motor vehicle inspectors, special policemen, and firefighters. As a result, a person who parks in a fire lane when firefighters need to respond to a crisis may face prosecution under this statute. Regardless of the exact identity of the officers in question, the potential penalties remain the same.
Defenses against these allegations usually rely on the concept of a lack of intent. A conviction is only possible if a prosecutor can prove that the defendant intended to interfere with that officer. As a result, a defense centered around the concept of a mistake or even confusion may be effective. A Weston resisting arrest lawyer could help to create reasonable doubt concerning the State’s case.
A Weston Resisting Arrest Attorney May be Able to Help You
Connecticut law prohibits the interference with any state-appointed officer attempting to do their job. A Weston resisting arrest lawyer could help you fight the charges and avoid the penalties of a conviction. The lawyers at Mark Sherman Law have over 300 certified Avvo.com reviews from past clients who were in your position. Click here to learn more.