§ 62-1. Obstructing process and resisting officer.

(a)

A person commits the crime of resisting or interfering with arrest if, knowing that a law enforcement officer is making an arrest, for the purpose of preventing the officer from effecting an arrest, he:

(1)

Resists the arrest of himself by using or threatening the use of violence or physical force or by fleeing from such officer; or

(2)

Interferes with the arrest of another person by using or threatening the use of violence, physical force or physical interference.

(b)

This section applies to arrests with or without warrants and to arrests for any crime or ordinance violation.

(c)

A person is presumed to be fleeing a vehicle stop if that person continues to operate a motor vehicle after that person has seen or should have seen clearly visible emergency lights or has heard or should have heard an audible signal emanating from the law enforcement vehicle pursuing that person.

(d)

It is no defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) of this section that the law enforcement officer was acting unlawfully in making the arrest.

(e)

A person commits the crime of interference with legal process if, knowing any person is authorized by law to serve process, for the purpose of preventing such person from effecting the service of any process, he interferes with or obstructs such person.

(f)

The term "process" includes any writ, summons, subpoena, warrant other than an arrest warrant, or other process or order of a court.

(Code 1969, § 18-2; Ord. No. 1268, § 1, 4-16-1981)

State law reference

Similar provisions, RSMo 575.150, 575.160.