Resisting Arrest (M) is defined as intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent a police/peace officer from effecting an authorized arrest of whom?

Resisting Arrest (M) is defined as intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent a police/peace officer from effecting an authorized arrest of whom?

• A. Himself or another
• B. A suspect only
• C. A witness only
• D. A bystander

Answer: (A)

Resisting Arrest is about intentionally interfering with a police officer who is trying to make a lawful arrest. The offense covers interference with the arrest of the person the officer intends to arrest, and it also covers interference with the arrest of another person the officer is authorized to arrest. That means you can be charged if you block or obstruct an officer trying to arrest someone else, not just the person being arrested yourself. That’s why the correct option is the one that includes either the arrestee or another person—the act targets both possibilities. The other options are too narrow. It isn’t limited to a suspect only, nor to a witness only, nor to a bystander; any attempt to prevent a lawful arrest of someone (including yourself) falls under this offense if the intent is to hinder the officer. The key elements to remember are intentional interference and the officer’s authorized arrest of someone.

Resisting Arrest is about intentionally interfering with a police officer who is trying to make a lawful arrest. The offense covers interference with the arrest of the person the officer intends to arrest, and it also covers interference with the arrest of another person the officer is authorized to arrest. That means you can be charged if you block or obstruct an officer trying to arrest someone else, not just the person being arrested yourself. That’s why the correct option is the one that includes either the arrestee or another person—the act targets both possibilities.

The other options are too narrow. It isn’t limited to a suspect only, nor to a witness only, nor to a bystander; any attempt to prevent a lawful arrest of someone (including yourself) falls under this offense if the intent is to hinder the officer. The key elements to remember are intentional interference and the officer’s authorized arrest of someone.