{"id":373141,"date":"2017-12-27T18:45:38","date_gmt":"2017-12-27T23:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-resisting-arrest-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-12-01T11:38:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T16:38:50","slug":"illinois-resisting-arrest-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-resisting-arrest-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Resisting Arrest Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Illinois Resisting Arrest Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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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Illinois<\/span> laws<\/span> regarding\u00a0resisting arrest<\/span>\u00a0make it a crime to knowingly resist or obstruct a\u00a0peace officer<\/span>,\u00a0firefighter<\/span>, or correctional employee while they are performing an\u00a0authorized act<\/span>.\u00a0The\u00a0charge of <\/span>resisting arrest<\/span>\u00a0is typically a\u00a0Class A<\/span>\u00a0misdemeanor<\/span> and carries potential jail time, fines, and mandatory community service<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you are facing Illinois<\/span> resisting arrest<\/span> charges, resisting a peace officer<\/span> charges, or accusations of obstructing<\/span> a police officer<\/span>, it\u2019s important to understand the charges against you. Being aware of the elements of resisting arrest<\/span>, possible felony enhancements for officer injury, and available criminal defense strategies<\/span> is critical for protecting your record and your rights.<\/p>\n

The definition of resisting arrest<\/span> under Illinois<\/span> law<\/span> (720 ILCS<\/span> \u00a7 31-1<\/a>) may leave arrestees uncertain of their rights during detention and booking. In this article, we explain how resisting arrest<\/span> laws work in Illinois<\/span> to provide you with a better understanding.<\/p>\n

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

In the state of <\/span>Illinois<\/span>, a police officer<\/span> must have grounds to make an arrest for another offense before making a resisting arrest<\/span> charge<\/a>. The arresting officer<\/span> must have been in the act of arresting the individual at the time. Resisting arrest<\/span> cannot stand alone as a charge.<\/p>\n

In many cases, resisting or obstructing<\/span> involves physical behavior that interferes with an officer’s ability to perform their duties. This can include pulling away, struggling, or physically blocking an officer during an arrest or other authorized act<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Obstructing<\/span> a Peace Officer<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Obstruction<\/span> is a form of resisting. This broad category covers most other types of resisting and includes anyone who impedes a peace officer<\/span>, firefighter<\/span>, or paramedic acting in their official capacity<\/span>. Obstruction<\/span> may include conduct that interferes with an officer\u2019s, firefighter<\/span>\u2019s, or correctional employee\u2019s ability to perform an authorized duty, such as:<\/p>\n