You’ve been confronted by law enforcement which is something you aren’t used to. You haven’t done anything wrong, so you believe it’s going to be an amicable conversation. Soon, the mood starts to change. It’s become pretty clear now that you have been identified as a suspect. What should you do?
One thing that you definitely shouldn’t do is try to run away, and here’s why.
The use of physical force
Police are only allowed to make an arrest if they have probable cause. Essentially, this means that they have discovered compelling evidence that you have committed or are in the process of committing a crime. They are allowed to use force to arrest you or defend themselves if needed. This has to be the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest or nullify the threat to their life or physical safety.
By attempting to run away, you are giving officers more of a reason to suspect that you have committed a crime. Also, in the heat of the moment, your running away could be misinterpreted as a form of aggression towards someone else.
Adding to your charges
By running away from the police, there is a strong possibility that you’ll be charged with resisting arrest. This is a completely separate charge and even if the original charges are dropped, you could still be brought before the courts for resisting.
Facing criminal charges is a tricky situation and the last thing you want to do is make matters worse. What you do want to do is increase your chances of a successful outcome by seeking legal guidance.