Resisting Arrest Lawyer in West Palm Beach

Resisting arrest can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on whether you are accused of using violence. However, even a misdemeanor resisting arrest conviction comes with stiff penalties, including up to one year in jail.

You might think you will be found guilty if you have been charged because it is your word against the arresting officer’s testimony. However, various factors go into these cases, including the legality of the arrest.

With more than 34 years of experience, our West Palm Beach resisting arrest lawyer can explore all possible avenues to help you avoid harsh penalties. Reach out to our firm today to schedule a consultation.

Examples of Resisting Arrest

You can face a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge for opposing, obstructing, or resisting a police officer. Some examples include:

  • Refusing or making it difficult to be handcuffed
  • Failing to obey verbal commands
  • Hiding evidence
  • Providing law enforcement with misleading or false information
  • Evading law enforcement

Your resisting arrest defense attorney in West Palm Beach will evaluate all the evidence in order to determine the strength of the prosecution’s case against you. Then your lawyer can go over your legal options with you.

Misdemeanor Resisting Arrest Charges

Resisting or obstructing an officer without violence is a first-degree misdemeanor meaning that you face up to a year in jail, a fine, or probation. The state must prove that you were arrested legally and that you knew the person was an officer and that you willfully and knowingly opposed, obstructed, or resisted his or her orders.

If the prosecution has evidence to prove its case, your attorney might be able to help you avoid the charges with a pre-trial diversion program, so consult with a West Palm Beach resisting arrest attorney today.

RESISTING ARREST WITH VIOLENCE

Resisting arrest with violence is a third-degree felony, with potential penalties of up to five years in prison and large fines. You also face probation and will have a felony on your record if convicted.

Your West Palm Beach resisting arrest lawyer will review the evidence to determine the right defense for you, so reach out to attorney Chapman to discuss the circumstances of your case. He will go over possible strategies with you.

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Investigate the prosecutor’s case against you.
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  • Over 34 Years of Experience – Ronald S. Chapman has represented clients facing both state and federal charges since 1990, and he has had more than 200 trials.
  • Numerous 5-star Reviews – Our West Palm Beach law firm has accumulated five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, Lawyers.com, Avvo, and other sites.
  • Sole Practitioner– As a sole practitioner, Ronald S. Chapman works directly with each client he serves instead of handing them off to staff members.
  • Represents Clients in State and Federal Court – While some West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers handle only state charges or federal charges, Ronald S. Chapman handles both types of charges ranging from state-level assault charges to federal-level drug trafficking and white-collar crimes.
  • Bilingual Legal Services – Ronald S. Chapman provides legal services in English and Spanish, so you won’t have any trouble communicating with him.

Pre-trial Diversion

You might be eligible for a pre-trial diversion program if charged with resisting arrest. The prosecutor will dismiss the charges upon your successful completion, if applicable. Because these programs are not open to everyone, it is important to consult with a resisting arrest lawyer in West Palm Beach. Your attorney can go over all of your legal options, including pre-trial diversion.

DID YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF AUTHORITY?

It is possible to be charged with resisting arrest without even realizing the person was a member of law enforcement. For instance, the arresting officer might have been in plain clothes, causing you to fear for your safety when he or she attempted the arrest. If you did not know the person had the legal authority to arrest you, discuss that with a West Palm Beach resisting arrest lawyer. Your attorney can use this information to fight the charges.

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Real Clients, Real Testimonials

I came to attorney Ron Chapman with a problem regarding my driver's license. Within a week he and his assistant Elizabeth helped me to solve my problem. I am very thankful for their prompt help with my case. I am very proud to have had him as my lawyer, and I would not hesitate to call him if I were to have a problem in the future and to recommend him to friends of mine who are in need of a lawyer. I highly recommend attorney Chapman.
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Since 1990, Mr. Chapman has been representing people who have been accused of committing various types of crimes such as DUI, domestic violence, possession of a firearm, drug possession, expungement, traffic crimes, murder, manslaughter, crimes against children, sex crimes, crimes against the elderly, appeals, and violations of probation.
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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