If you or your loved ones are getting detained in Texas, be very mindful of how you react to it and what the circumstance are. Getting detained isn’t an ideal situation; however, trying to resist an arrest could turn into a much bigger problem, such as higher convictions, larger fines, and longer jail time.
Resisting arrest is a serious offense in Texas. Here’s what you need to know about residing arrest in Texas and how PCS Bail Bonds can help you get out of jail sooner.
What Is Considered Resisting Arrest in Texas?
Resisting while getting detained in Texas is defined under the Texas Penal Code Section 38.03 as when “a person intentionally prevents or obstructs a person he knows is a peace officer or a person acting in a peace officer\’s presence and at his direction from effecting an arrest, search, or transportation of the actor or another by using force against the peace officer or another.”
Penalties for Resisting a Texas Arrest
As said earlier, resisting arrest in Texas could lead to some serious consequences. Resisting while getting detained in Texas is treated as a Class A misdemeanor. Mind you, with a Class A misdemeanor, an individual could face a jail sentence of up to a year and a fine of up to $4,000.
A Class A misdemeanor is the highest level of misdemeanor. Anything beyond this point turns into a felony.
It’s possible for resisting arrest charges in Texas to become escalated to evading arrest charges. Evading arrest occurs when a person getting detained in Texas intentionally escapes from an arrest.
Evading arrest is a class A misdemeanor charge and could increase to a state jail felony.
Furthermore, evading arrest could become a third-degree felony if a boat or vehicle was used to escape the arrest. It becomes a second-degree felony charge if someone incurs a serious bodily injury or dies as a result of the individual fleeing an arrest.
If an individual resists arrest in Texas by using a deadly weapon, the charges rake up quickly to a third-degree felony. What does this mean? It could mean jail time between a minimum of two years and a maximum of 10 years. You are also on the hook for massive fines of up to $10,000.
It’s also worth nothing that at the time of getting detained in Texas, state law requires that the person being arrested provides their full name, date of birth, and their address to the officer. If you provide false information, it could lead to a class C, B, or A misdemeanor.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Being Detained in Texas
When getting detained in Texas, there are few simple things to keep in mind. These basic things could possibly save you from getting bigger charges and fines.
The Do’s
The first and most important thing to remember when getting detained in Texas is to stay very calm. Surely, its easier said than done. Getting arrested isn’t a fun experience; its distressing to say the least. However, when you are calm, you are able to understand the situation better and comprehend what’s really happening. This could help you later on when building a defense.
When getting detained in Texas, you do have several rights. For instance, if the arresting authority is asking questions, you have the right to remain silent and you can tell officers that you would like the assistance of an attorney before answering them.
If you know in advance that you could get detained, its never a bad idea to have the contact information of a reputable bail bondsman and a lawyer. In fact, it may not even be a bad idea to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Why? So, you could get out of jail quick and prepare a better defense.
The Don’ts
No matter what, do not get into a fight or get physical with officers who are detaining you, even if you feel that you are being detained for all the wrong reasons. Physical altercation can be met with equal or bigger force. It could also mean injury to you and possibly higher charges and fines.
Lastly, don’t get into a verbal argument with the officers trying to detain you. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to say something that could be used against you. Your best option, as mentioned above, is to remain silent until you have an attorney present.
How PCS Bail Bonds Can Help with Resisting Arrest Charges
If you have been detained and are being charged with resisting arrest, PCS Bail Bonds can help you get out and build a solid defense against resisting arrest. We provide bail bonds in Fort Worth Texas and have dealt with many cases involving resisting arrest and evading arrests. This is nothing new to us. We can help you get out of jail quick.
Also know this: PCS Bail Bonds has been in the business for years. We are reputable bail bonds providers in Tarrant County and surrounding areas, with 25 years of experience. We take pride in what we do. We put our clients first and understand that people make mistakes. We offer full confidentiality to our clients and offer bail bondsman services at very competitive rates.
Contact us now by phone at 817-335-1655, at our e-mail, visit in-person, or fill out our bail bond request form. You can be confident that you’re working with experts who are dedicated to helping you. Se Habla Español.