Fort Worth, TX Resisting Arrest Attorney

Experienced Lawyer for Clients Accused of Resisting Arrest in Fort Worth, Texas

Getting arrested for a criminal offense can be extremely stressful. However, if you try to avoid being detained, you could be charged with the separate crime of resisting arrest. A qualified criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth can represent you in court, speaking up for your rights in the face of harsh prosecution.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we represent clients in a wide variety of criminal cases. Attorney Edwardo Meza can guide you through the legal proceedings for a charge of resisting arrest and defend you against any other criminal charges that might have resulted from the same incident. When you work with our firm, you will receive personalized representation from a solo practitioner, so you do not have to worry about your case being passed off to an inexperienced lawyer.

Understanding a Charge of Resisting Arrest

In Texas, you can be charged with resisting arrest for using force to stop a law enforcement officer from making an arrest. Under most circumstances, this crime is charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which may come with up to a year in jail and a possible fine of no more than $4,000 upon conviction. The charge can be aggravated to a third-degree felony if you used a deadly weapon to avoid getting arrested, and a conviction may be punishable by up to 10 years of incarceration.

It is important to note that you cannot cite an unlawful arrest as a reason to resist arrest. Evading arrest is a similar crime, but it involves fleeing from the authorities instead of using force. This crime is a Class A misdemeanor, but it can rise to a second-degree felony if somebody dies as a direct result of attempting to avoid arrest.

How Should I Respond to an Arrest?

If you have been taken into police custody, you should exercise your right to remain silent. Anything you say to police officers can be used by the prosecutor in your case, making the charge much harder to defend against in court.

Additionally, you have the right to request a lawyer whom you can speak to in private. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can go over your case and give you an idea of what to expect. We can also speak on your behalf during interrogations, protecting you from self-incrimination.

After an arrest, you should avoid speaking about the details of your case to anyone aside from your attorney, even close family members. Our skilled criminal defense lawyer can advise you on what to say in court and how to present yourself in front of a judge.

Defenses Against a Charge of Resisting Arrest

Although you cannot cite an unlawful arrest as a defense in court, there are still other ways to contest a charge of resisting arrest. For example, your attorney could assert that you were not actually attempting to avoid detainment. This could be supported by witness testimony or video evidence that clearly contradicts the officer's claim that you were resisting.

In other cases, you might have been acting in self-defense against clear police brutality. If you were in danger of serious bodily injury or death, your use of force might have been justified under the law. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we will strategize with you to determine the best avenue for your defense.

Meet With a Fort Worth Resisting Arrest Defense Lawyer

A charge of resisting arrest can make a bad situation even worse in court. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we have a wealth of legal knowledge and experience that ensures that we can effectively represent our clients. Our Tarrant County criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf. For a complimentary consultation, call our offices at 817-732-6392 or contact us online.