You may think you know what you’d do if you were ever arrested by police, but what you think and what may actually transpire can be two totally different things. In fact, for some people, it ends in an additional criminal charge tacked on: resisting arrest.
A College Station man was recently arrested on several outstanding warrants. He could have chosen to go with officers peacefully, but what happened was anything but peaceful.
When the officers attempted to detain him, he ran away. Once they caught up with him, he physically resisted being handcuffed. It took three officers to safely and effectively detain him.
In Texas, there are laws and penalties surrounding resisting arrest that every person should be aware of. It’s good to understand what it means to resist and what you should do if the police are ever trying to detain you.
Resisting Arrest in Texas: What Is It?
In Texas, resisting arrest is defined under the law as intentionally obstructing or preventing a peace officer from carrying out an arrest, a lawful search, or the transportation of a person. It also includes any use of force against another person or a peace officer.
Normally, resisting arrest is a Class A misdemeanor in Texas but it can be raised to a felony charge in the third degree in certain situations where a deadly weapon is used.
Other charges can also stem from resisting an arrest, evading arrest, or someone else dying or sustaining a serious bodily injury as the direct result of your attempt to resist arrest.
Other Related Charges
Another common charge accompanying a resisting arrest offense is the failure to identify. When you are arrested in Texas, you must provide your identifying information, such as your name and date of birth, to the officer arresting you.
If you provide false information or refuse to provide any information, then you can be charged with an additional misdemeanor.
Penalties for Resisting a Texas Arrest
There are several penalties that can result from a resisting arrest charge. Whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, as well as its level, depends on the charges against you. But the general penalties include:
- Class C misdemeanor – Fines up to $500
- Class B misdemeanor – As many as 6 months in jail and fines of $2,000
- Class A misdemeanor – As many as 12 months behind bars and fines of $4,000
- State jail felony – As many as two years behind bars
- Third-degree felony – As many as 10 years behind bars and fines of $10,000
- Second-degree felony – As many as 20 years behind bars and fines of $10,000
The Do’s and Don’ts of Being Detained
When police are attempting to detain you, your next actions are very important. They will be the difference between possible additional charges being added on or a possible dismissal in the future. Find below a few of the basic do’s and don’ts when being detained by police in Texas.
DO Stay Calm
This is the number one thing you want to do. Getting arrested can be a traumatizing experience, but it’s best to stay calm to set a tone for the whole encounter. Focus on your breathing and take deep breaths if you feel your emotions start to bubble over. Try to stay centered and focus on the moment without letting your emotions get the better of you. If you can do this, then you can stay calm and keep the encounter peaceful.
DO Be Prepared
It’s not a bad idea to have the information of a lawyer on hand or have a loved one you can call in case of an emergency – an emergency just like this. After the immediate arrest, there will be things you need to do for yourself in the situation, such as securing a lawyer and getting help.
DO Understand Your Rights
When being arrested, one of the main rights you have under the law is to exercise your right to remain silent. If the police ask you questions, you have the right to decline to answer them without a lawyer present. Simply let the officer know you are invoking your right to remain silent and that you want an attorney.
There are also two major things you don’t want to do during an arrest. Refrain from getting physical and never argue with officers. It never ends well.
DON’T Get Physical
Under no circumstance should you use physical force against the police when they are trying to detain you. Even if you feel you are being wrongly arrested, getting physical will only escalate the situation and risk your safety.
DON’T Argue
Do not argue with the police. It will not help the situation and can actually only serve to make things worse. If something happens during the arrest that you feel is wrong, you will have the opportunity to take steps afterward.
About the Author:
Brandon Fulgham has an in-depth understanding of both Texas law and Texans themselves. Before practicing law here, he received his undergraduate degree from TCU and his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston. After graduation, he worked in District Attorneys’ offices as a prosecutor, building cases designed to put people behind bars. Now, he uses that knowledge to protect the rights of people in and around Fort Worth, making sure they receive the strongest possible defense when they find themselves on the wrong side of the law. He has been recognized for his work by The National Trial Lawyers, Fort Worth Magazine, and others.