{"id":374302,"date":"2018-10-02T11:52:34","date_gmt":"2018-10-02T16:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-resisting-arrest-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-06-01T08:42:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T13:42:21","slug":"minnesota-resisting-arrest-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-resisting-arrest-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Resisting Arrest Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Minnesota Resisting Arrest Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/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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Minnesota<\/span>‘s resisting arrest<\/span> law makes it a crime to intentionally interfere with police officers<\/span>, firefighters<\/span>, paramedics, and certain state employees performing their official duties<\/span>. The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor<\/span>, or felony depending on whether force or violence was used and whether harm occurred.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most states, including Minnesota<\/span>, have laws that make it a crime to resist when a police officer<\/span> is making an arrest. Although the primary Minnesota<\/span> law<\/span> addressing this behavior doesn\u2019t specifically mention “resisting arrest<\/span>,<\/a>” it does outlaw it. The statute is called Obstructing<\/span> Legal Process<\/span>, Arrest, or Firefighting<\/span>. It prohibits a range of actions that interfere with the work of peace officers<\/span>,\u00a0firefighters<\/span>, paramedics, and even\u00a0employees of the Department of Revenue<\/span>. Whether you live in Minneapolis, St. Paul<\/span>, or anywhere else in the state of <\/span>Minnesota<\/span>, understanding what qualifies as obstruction<\/span> can help you avoid facing criminal charges<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article breaks down Minnesota<\/span>\u2019s obstruction<\/span> statute and the possible penalties for violations. We explain how the law operates in everyday situations\u00a0and at\u00a0events<\/a> like protests<\/a>. We\u2019ll also review common legal defenses that might help someone avoid an obstruction<\/span> conviction.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re facing charges for obstruction<\/span> in Minnesota<\/span>, it\u2019s a good idea to speak with a criminal defense<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/a>. Someone experienced with charges under this statute can help you understand your options, which may be more encouraging than you think. They can also discuss specific legal defenses that may be available to you.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s begin by taking a look at the types of behaviors the law addresses.<\/p>\n

Conduct Prohibited by Minnesota<\/span>\u2019s Obstruction<\/span> Statute<\/h2>\n

The Obstructing<\/span> Legal Process<\/span>, Arrest, or Firefighting<\/span> law in the Minnesota<\/span> Statutes<\/span>\u2019 Criminal Code<\/span> makes it a crime to intentionally obstruct<\/span>, hinder, or prevent certain public officials from performing their official duties<\/span>. As such, it applies in five main situations:<\/p>\n