{"id":372317,"date":"2018-08-27T12:51:39","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T17:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-resisting-arrest-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-10-16T16:50:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T21:50:21","slug":"district-of-columbia-resisting-arrest-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-resisting-arrest-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Resisting Arrest Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Resisting Arrest Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, 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

District of Columbia<\/span> resisting arrest<\/span> laws make it a misdemeanor<\/span> crime to intentionally resist arrest by a law enforcement officer<\/span> without justifiable cause. Under D.C. Code<\/span>, this offense is punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000. The law applies regardless of whether the defendant believes the arrest is lawful, as D.C. does not recognize resistance to unlawful arrests as a valid defense.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It’s hard to know how you’ll react if a D.C. Metropolitan police officer<\/span> attempts to arrest you for a crime. People can become desperate in these situations and may panic. If you give the police a hard time, you may face resisting arrest<\/span> charges.<\/p>\n

Most jurisdictions in the U.S., including Washington, D.C<\/span>., have laws regarding resisting arrest<\/span>. Only a handful of states allow citizens to resist what they deem an unlawful arrest. Under the District of Columbia<\/span>‘s criminal laws<\/span>, if a person resists arrest or prevents a police officer<\/span> from making an arrest, they may face either resisting arrest<\/span><\/a> charges or charges for assaulting a police officer<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article will explain the resisting arrest<\/span> laws in the District of Columbia<\/span> and the penalties and defenses to this crime. If you’re facing resisting arrest<\/span> charges or charges for any other criminal offense<\/span>, contact a local criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a>. They’ll review your case and work hard to persuade the prosecutor to dismiss or reduce the charges.<\/p>\n

Summary of District of Columbia<\/span> Resisting Arrest<\/span> Laws<\/h2>\n

To make it easier to understand the District of Columbia<\/span>‘s criminal laws<\/span><\/a> regarding resisting arrest<\/span>, we\u2019ve summarized them below. The sections highlight the portions of the D.C. Code<\/span> related to resisting arrest<\/span> and assaulting a police officer<\/span> from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Washington, D.C<\/span>. Statute(s)<\/h3>\n