Walk It Through: The Sidewalk
Not an offense by itself, passive resistance as a class 1 misdemeanor, and six months at most.
After a concert, a person who has had too much to drink is sitting on the sidewalk outside a bar when an officer walks over.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One night and one sidewalk. Disorderly conduct, fleeing in a vehicle, and the arrest itself are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- FleeingA driver wilfully fleeing or trying to elude a pursuing official law enforcement vehicle that is appropriately marked, or unmarked where the driver knew it was law enforcement. A class 5 felony.
- Misdemeanor classHow Arizona grades misdemeanors: class 1 carries up to six months and $2,500, class 2 up to four months and $750, class 3 up to 30 days and $500.
- Passive resistanceA nonviolent physical act or failure to act intended to impede, hinder or delay an arrest. Resisting arrest by passive resistance is a class 1 misdemeanor.
- Petty offenseThe grade below a misdemeanor, with no jail listed and a fine up to $300.