Police interactions can be overwhelming experiences. Unfortunately, this may lead a person to behave in such a manner that’s considered unlawful. Many states have statutes in place that make it a crime to interfere with law enforcement duties, which may be punishable with serious consequences. As such, it’s important to demonstrate a strong criminal defense when facing these charges. The following guide discusses what you should know about this type of offense.

What Constitutes Interference?

Under Missouri law, interference with police specifically refers to the act of resisting or obstructing an arrest. This can mean resisting your own arrest or impeding another individual's arrest, stop, or detention. An interference can occur if you flee from law enforcement, threaten or engage in violence against an officer, or physically intervene to prevent someone else’s arrest. 

What Are the Possible Penalties?

Resisting or obstructing an arrest is usually charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which carries the potential for one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000. However, when interfering with a felony arrest, the charge is upgraded to a Class D felony, and the penalties include up to four years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.

What Are Some Methods for Defending Against Interference Charges?

Without expert legal counsel, it’s often difficult to successfully fight an interference with police charge. An attorney can use their resources to locate witnesses who saw the encounter with police and have them testify on your behalf. They may also gain access to an officer’s bodycam video to help refute the allegations against you. 

Another criminal defense method is requesting access to the arresting officer’s personnel file to determine if they have a history of using excessive force or discriminatory tactics while performing their duties. This can make self-defense a viable strategy to win your case. 

If you’ve been charged with interference of a police officer, trust the Law Office of Mike Hamilton in Columbia, MO, for effective representation. Backed by more than 30 years of legal experience, this skilled criminal defense attorney has earned a proven track record for obtaining favorable results. He will carefully review the details of your case and put together a compelling argument on your behalf. Call (573) 875-5698 to schedule a free consultation, or visit him online for more information on how he can help protect your rights.   

_{The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.}