What Happens If You Run from the Cops 

If you want to know what happens if you run from the cops, you are in the right spot. We are going to talk about what to do if you run from the cops and how it affects you. Keep in mind that it varies from case to case and state to state. 

Why Do People Run From Police

People choose to run from police for a variety of different reasons. However, this lapse in judgement can often have you facing much harder penalties than if you were charged without trying to evade police.

Here are a few reasons people choose to run from police:

• If they are intoxicated or could possibly face DWI charges
• If they are in possession of illegal substances
• If they are facing other crimes they want to escape or if there is a warrant out for their arrest
• If running from the cops seems like a better decision to them than facing the harsh consequences for a crime they have committed

Police Power 

Police have the power to arrest or detain people for almost any reason. They have a list of limitations. However, this list of limitations is very low. If there is enough reasonable evidence that you have committed a crime, they are likely going to arrest you. 

Keep in mind that if you evade this arrest, you are going to be facing another charge on top of what you were being arrested for. Depending on the circumstances revolving around the case, evading arrest and police can have severe punishments. 

Keep reading to learn about some of the things you should keep in mind when you are thinking about evading the police. We are also going to talk about the consequences you may face if you resist arrest or evade police. 

Limited Police Power 

While we have stated that police can arrest you for almost any reason, there are a few limitations that are in place. It is important to note that police can approach and ask you questions at any time. While police can do this to citizens, citizens are allowed to refuse to answer the questions or just simply walk away. 

With that said, police can arrest or search you if they have a reasonable cause or they have reasonable suspicion that you are engaging in suspicious or criminal activities. 

If a police officer wants to arrest someone on the streets, they must obtain a warrant. There are a few instances where warrants have exceptions. 

• Police are allowed to arrest a felony suspect in a public area if the circumstances are reasonable. 
• Misdemeanor offenders are under police supervision. 
• The reason for the arrest is valid and legal. 

If you have a warrant for your arrest, evading police approaching you, is a crime. This is considered evading police. 

• There are some instances where if the arrest is unlawful, it is not a crime to run from the police. (This law depends from state to state and case to case.) 

Punishment For Evading Police

You will see that evading a police officer is often a misdemeanor charge. However, there are instances where it can be a felony charge. This can happen if you commit other felony crimes while you are running from the police. 

There are a few things that you will face if you run from a police officer. This includes the following:

• Your license is at risk of suspension or restriction. 
• Fines 
• Possible Probation 
• Possible Community Service 
• Small Jail Time 
• Heavy fines exceeding 1,000 dollars. 

Do I Need a Lawyer If I’m Charged With Running From The Cops?

If you are charged with running from the police or evading the police, it is going to be best to hire a lawyer that knows what they are talking about. A good lawyer is going to have experience in cases such as yours. 

There are defenses that can be used when you hire a knowledgeable defense attorney. These things include proving that an officer made an unlawful, illegal arrest. This can lead to lesser charges or dropped charges. 

A lawyer can additionally help you even if the arrest was lawful. They can help you come to a plea agreement to help ensure that you are facing the least harsh punishment possible. Plus, a lawyer can dispute charges and get your charges lessened in most cases. 

Tips When Talking To Your Lawyer 

One of the biggest things you can do is be honest. You do not want to lie to your lawyer. This will only make your case more difficult. Your lawyer is there to help you and they are not going to turn on you or turn you in. Lawyers need to know the whole story so they can see if there is anything that they can use to benefit the case. 

Conclusion: What Happens If You Run from the Cops 

Running from the cops is never the answer. You are going to obtain a charge that you would have never had. Plus, people who are going to run from the cops are those who are hiding something, to begin with. If you have nothing to hide and you are pulled over, do not run. You should not run in any instance. 

Lawyers are going to ensure that you are taken care of properly and that you are not facing maximum penalties. Hiring a lawyer that knows the topic and has done many similar cases is going to benefit you. Contact Carl Barkemeyer of Barkemeyer Law Firm to set up a consultation! You can also set up your consultation on this page here.

Barkemeyer Law Firm can help you with this type of case and answer the questions you have about the consequences of running from the cops!