Any jurisdiction has the right to arrest anyone who attempts to resist an arrest. Under the law, if aperson resists an arrest, the officers have a degree of right to use force in the arrest of a suspect. Moststates prohibit using deadly force if a suspect tries to flee or resist arrest. For the most part, if theofficer(s) does not have a warrant, it may be illegal to arrest, or else use force to halt the party beingarrested.
If you are arrested, the best advice you can get is to comply with the arresting officer and take thelegal steps to protect your rights further. Resisting an officer or else using inappropriate conduct orderogatory language against an officer will only make matters worse.
If you are innocent of the crime you are accused of, it makes no sense to flee the officer or resistarrest, since in the courtroom, the truth will often become apparent, especially if it looks as if youhave nothing to hide. If you adhere to the arresting officer’s demands and are innocent, once youhave proven your innocence, you will be able to seek some form of compensation, since you can suethe law for unlawful arrests. This gives you the upper hand; however, if your resist, it could penalizeyou even if you are innocent of the crime accused.
Again, if you are arrested, first ask the officer to see the search warrant, or warrant against youpeacefully. Read the document carefully and then extend your hands peacefully, so that the officercan cuff you and take you to the station. Whether or not you are innocent of the charges, you shouldanswer any questions peacefully, unless the police officer is leading you or threatening you–in whichcase, you should peacefully let the officer know that you do not wish to continue the questioning atthis time.
