{"id":375317,"date":"2017-11-30T17:35:14","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T22:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-york-law\/new-york-resisting-arrest-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-09-17T16:25:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T21:25:51","slug":"new-york-resisting-arrest-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-york-law\/new-york-resisting-arrest-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New York Resisting Arrest Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New York Resisting Arrest Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, 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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Resisting arrest<\/span> in New York<\/span> is the crime of intentionally preventing a police officer<\/span> from making a lawful arrest<\/span>. The penalty for resisting arrest<\/span> is a Class A misdemeanor<\/span> and can include one year in jail, probation, and fines.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Every state has laws against resisting arrest<\/span>, and New York<\/span> is no exception. If you interfere with a law enforcement<\/span> officer while they are trying to arrest you, the state can charge you with resisting arrest<\/span><\/a>, a Class A misdemeanor<\/span> in New York<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If the state files resisting arrest<\/span> charges<\/span> against you, you’ll face criminal penalties for resisting arrest<\/span> and the underlying crime you committed. You will face stiff penalties and fines, and a conviction for resisting arrest<\/span> will also be on your criminal record<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article examines and explains how New York<\/span>‘s resisting arrest<\/span> laws work, including a definition of the crime and the resulting penalties. If you’re facing any criminal charges<\/span> in New York<\/span> State<\/span>, contacting a local criminal defense lawyer<\/span><\/a> is a very good idea.<\/p>\n

What It Means To Resist Arrest<\/span> in New York<\/span><\/h2>\n

Under New York<\/span> Penal Law<\/span><\/a>, a person resists arrest when they intentionally prevent\u00a0or try to prevent a\u00a0police officer<\/span>\u00a0from making a lawful arrest<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This can happen in several ways, including:<\/p>\n