resisting arrest

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Definition

Noun: - The act of using physical force or effort to oppose, prevent, or hinder a lawful arrest by a police officer. This act is legally classified as a crime, typically as an assault or battery upon the arresting officer.

Usage

This term is used in legal and law enforcement contexts to describe a specific criminal charge added when a person being arrested does not comply peacefully. - The primary charge was theft, but he also faced an additional charge of resisting arrest. - The police report noted that the suspect was charged with resisting arrest after pulling away and struggling with the officers.

Examples
  • The defendant was found guilty of resisting arrest for fleeing from the officers who tried to detain him.
  • Her lawyer argued that the resisting arrest charge was unfounded because she was simply confused and scared, not intentionally violent.
  • In many jurisdictions, resisting arrest is a misdemeanor offense.
Advanced Usage
  • Legally Charged: The phrase often appears as a formal legal charge, e.g., "charged with resisting arrest."
  • Degree of Force: The term can encompass a range of actions, from passive non-compliance (like going limp) to active, violent struggle. The specific definition and severity can vary by local law.
Variants and Related Words
  • Resist (verb): To oppose or fight against something. This is the root verb from which the noun phrase is derived.
    • He tried to resist the officer's commands.
  • Resistance (noun): The act of resisting.
    • The suspect's resistance made the situation dangerous.
Synonyms
  • Obstructing justice: A broader legal term that can include interfering with an arrest.
  • Fleeing arrest: Specifically attempting to escape from an arrest.
  • Assault on a police officer: A more serious charge that may result from violent resistance during an arrest.
Related Phrases
  • To resist arrest (verb phrase): The action described by the noun.
    • It is a crime to resist arrest, even if you believe the arrest is unlawful.
  • Charged with resisting: A common shortened form in informal or journalistic contexts.
    • The news headline read, "Protestor Charged with Resisting."
Noun
  1. physical efforts to oppose a lawful arrest; the resistance is classified as assault and battery upon the person of the police officer attempting to make the arrest