Southaven, MS Resisting Arrest Attorneys

Defending Your Rights and Freedom in Southaven, Mississippi

Being charged with resisting arrest or fleeing and eluding can be intimidating. Even minor actions can result in serious misdemeanor or felony charges, fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record. In Southaven, Mississippi, these charges are often used broadly, making it critical to have an experienced attorney from Stroud, Flechas & Dalton on your side.

Our team has decades of combined experience defending clients in DeSoto County and across Northern Mississippi. We understand how local courts, police, and prosecutors operate, and we fight aggressively to protect your freedom, minimize penalties, and guide you through every step of the legal process.

Understanding Resisting Arrest in Mississippi

Under Mississippi Code §97-9-73, a person may be charged with resisting arrest if they:

• Obstruct or resist a lawful arrest by force, threats, or violence
• Threaten or use force against an officer during an arrest
• Interfere with an officer carrying out lawful duties

Misdemeanor charges typically involve running from or hiding from law enforcement, while felony charges often involve threats or violent acts against officers.

Unfortunately, even minor behaviors—hesitating to exit a vehicle, being nervous, or questioning an officer’s instructions—can sometimes result in a resisting arrest charge. That’s why you need a skilled Southaven resisting arrest defense lawyer to evaluate your case and protect your rights.

Fleeing and Eluding Charges in Mississippi

Mississippi law (§97-9-72) also makes it a crime to knowingly flee or attempt to elude law enforcement during a traffic stop or arrest. Charges can be applied even if you didn’t intend to run from the police. Common scenarios include:

• Driving away too quickly during a traffic stop
• Failing to pull over when signaled by a marked police vehicle
• Confusion during a stop that leads to perceived evasion

How Our Attorneys Beat Fleeing and Eluding Charges

Successfully defending a fleeing and eluding charge often depends on proving one or more of the following:

• Lack of intent to flee: You did not knowingly attempt to evade police.
• Improper police procedures: Law enforcement must follow strict legal protocols during a stop.
• Mistaken identity or vehicle misidentification: The vehicle charged was not the one involved.
• Danger or duress: Actions taken in response to fear for personal safety or others.

Our team investigates every detail—from dashcam and bodycam footage to witness statements—to build a robust, evidence-backed defense.

Penalties for Resisting Arrest & Fleeing/Eluding

Even misdemeanor charges carry serious consequences:

• Fines: Up to $500
• Jail: Up to six months for misdemeanors; longer for felonies
• Permanent criminal record: Can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing

Felony-level fleeing and eluding charges may carry significant jail time, larger fines, and long-term consequences.

Common Defenses in Southaven

Every case is unique, but some defenses frequently used by our attorneys include:

• Unlawful arrest: If the officer lacked legal justification, your actions may not be a crime.
• Excessive force / self-defense: Protecting yourself from unlawful or violent police conduct.
• False accusations: Witnesses, video evidence, or documentation proving you did not resist or flee.
• Mistaken identity or officer misconduct: Officers failing to properly identify themselves or acting outside legal limits.

By tailoring defenses to the circumstances, we often secure dismissals, reduced charges, or favorable plea agreements.

Why Choose Stroud, Flechas & Dalton in Southaven

• Local expertise: We know Southaven and DeSoto County courts, law enforcement, and prosecutors.
• Trial-ready attorneys: Every case is prepared for trial, maximizing your chance for dismissal or reduced charges.
• Client-focused approach: We keep you informed and guide you through the legal process.
• Proven results: Our attorneys have successfully defended countless clients against resisting arrest and fleeing charges.

Contact a Southaven Resisting Arrest Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been charged with resisting arrest or fleeing and eluding in Southaven, MS, don’t wait. Time is critical in building a strong defense.

Call (662) 371-6580 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Southaven criminal defense attorney who knows how to beat a fleeing and eluding charge in Mississippi. Your freedom and future deserve a skilled advocate. Let us fight for you.