Most people think that resisting arrest means physically trying to prevent the officer from arresting you, but in North Carolina the definition is broader. In this post, we’ll break the law down for you and explain what technically qualifies as resisting arrest in North Carolina.

North Carolina’s Law on Resisting Arrest

In our state, you can be charged with resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer (RDO). Specifically, the North Carolina General Statute defines RDO in this way:

“If any person shall willfully and unlawfully resist, delay or obstruct a public officer in discharging [...]

When you know there is a risk of being arrested, it can be tempting to try to flee or get away. That’s particularly true if you know you are innocent or otherwise disagree with the grounds of the arrest.

However, trying to avoid arrest can make your situation a lot worse. Resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer (RDO) is a crime in North Carolina. The North Carolina General Statute describes RDO as follows:

“If any person shall willfully and unlawfully resist, delay or obstruct a public officer in discharging or attempting to discharge [...]