§ 18-2. Resisting or interfering with arrest.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    A person commits the crime of resisting or interfering with arrest if, knowing that a law enforcement officer is making an arrest, or attempting to lawfully detain or stop an individual or vehicle, or the person reasonably should know that a law enforcement officer is making an arrest or attempting to lawfully detain or lawfully stop an individual or vehicle, for the purpose of preventing the officer from effecting the arrest, stop or detention, the person:

    (1)

    Resists the arrest, stop or detention of such person by using or threatening the use of violence or physical force or by fleeing from such officer; or

    (2)

    Interferes with the arrest, stop or detention of another person by using or threatening the use of violence, physical force or physical interference.

    (b)

    This section applies to arrests, stops or detentions with or without warrants and to arrests, stops or detentions for any crime, infraction or ordinance violation.

    (c)

    It is no defense to a prosecution pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that the law enforcement officer was acting unlawfully in making the arrest. However, nothing is this section shall be construed to bar civil suits for unlawful arrest.

    (d)

    Resisting, by means other than flight, or interfering with an arrest for a felony is a class D felony; otherwise, resisting or interfering with arrest is a class A misdemeanor.

(Code 1974, § 16-11; Ord. No. 11381, § 2, 4-5-99)

State law reference

Similar provisions, RSMo. § 575.150.