{"id":376492,"date":"2018-08-20T10:57:57","date_gmt":"2018-08-20T15:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-resisting-arrest-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-10T16:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T21:01:00","slug":"tennessee-resisting-arrest-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-resisting-arrest-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Resisting Arrest Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Resisting Arrest Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, 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

Resisting arrest<\/span> in Tennessee<\/span> is the intentional use of force<\/span> to prevent or obstruct<\/span> a law enforcement officer<\/span> from making an arrest, conducting a frisk<\/span>, or performing a search. Unlike some states where simply refusing to cooperate can lead to charges, Tennessee<\/span> law<\/span> specifically requires physical force\u2014meaning verbal objections or passive non-cooperation alone typically won’t result in resisting <\/span>arrest<\/span> charges<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Arrests often happen without incident. However, sometimes, things go wrong. Officers fail to follow proper procedures, or the person being arrested might pull away, panic, or struggle during the process. If your actions during an arrest cross certain limits, you could face resisting <\/span>arrest<\/span> charges<\/span>. Tennessee<\/span> criminal law<\/span> handles these cases differently, and understanding those differences matters if you’re facing charges.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll explain the important aspects of resisting <\/span>arrest<\/span> charges<\/span> in Tennessee<\/span>. If you’re facing resisting <\/span>arrest<\/span> charges<\/span> in Tennessee<\/span>, contact a criminal defense attorney<\/a> near you. They can evaluate your case and help protect your rights throughout the process.<\/p>\n

What Counts as Resisting Arrest<\/span> in Tennessee<\/span>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tennessee<\/span> Code<\/span> Annotated<\/span> Section 39-16-602<\/a>\u00a0prohibits the intentional use of force<\/span> to prevent or obstruct<\/span> an officer from conducting a frisk<\/span>, making an arrest, or effecting<\/span> a stop, or performing a search. The same law also protects civil process servers. These are officials who deliver legal documents, such as subpoenas or court notices.<\/p>\n

Unlike some state resistance laws, where simply not cooperating might result in a charge of resisting arrest<\/span>, Tennessee<\/span> requires a specific level of force<\/a>. You must actually use physical force for the resisting <\/span>arrest<\/span> charge<\/span> to apply.<\/p>\n

What this means is that shouting at an officer, verbally objecting to your arrest, or simply refusing to cooperate without physical force generally won’t meet the legal definition of resisting arrest<\/span><\/a>. However, pulling away when an officer tries to handcuff you or pushing against them could lead to charges. Those actions involve actual physical force.<\/p>\n

What Prosecutors Must Prove<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To secure a conviction for this criminal offense<\/span>, prosecutors need to establish three key elements:<\/p>\n