{"id":371587,"date":"2017-08-25T13:04:03","date_gmt":"2017-08-25T18:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-resisting-arrest-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-09-16T11:48:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T16:48:56","slug":"arizona-resisting-arrest-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-resisting-arrest-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Resisting Arrest Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Resisting Arrest Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Resisting arrest in Arizona<\/span> is a criminal act where an individual prevents a police officer<\/span> from making an arrest through force, threats, creating substantial risk<\/span>, or passive resistance<\/span>. Passive resistance<\/span> involves nonviolent physical acts<\/span> or inactions that delay an arrest.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Being arrested is not an enjoyable experience. Thanks to the internet and dozens of reality TV shows, people think they know what an arrest looks like and how to behave. There are also many interpretations of resisting arrest. It may come as a surprise that states have laws that define the crime of resisting arrest and prescribe punishments for it.<\/p>\n

In Arizona<\/span>, resisting arrest can include using force to prevent or avoid a lawful arrest<\/span><\/a>. Resisting arrest can result in increased or additional charges against a defendant and can put an arrestee in considerable danger. There are a few situations where you can lawfully attempt to evade arrest, but it\u2019s often best to obey instructions and let your attorney argue for you later.<\/p>\n

Arizona<\/span> Resisting Arrest Laws<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

In Arizona<\/span>, a police officer<\/span> can make a lawful arrest<\/span> with a valid arrest warrant signed by a judge or magistrate. Police or other law enforcement<\/span> officers<\/span> can also make lawful arrests<\/span> for:<\/p>\n