Walk It Through: The Takedown
Reasonable force to arrest, deadly force only as an objectively reasonable officer would judge it, and obstructing with force.
An officer stops a delivery driver who matches the description in a robbery call, and the driver pulls away from the officer's grip.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One stop and one driver. Federal claims, immunities, and a civil suit over the force 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.
- Fleeing a peace officerFleeing or trying to flee in a motor vehicle from a peace officer lawfully on duty, including speeding up, turning off the lights or refusing to stop after a signal. A felony.
- Obstructing legal processIntentionally obstructing, resisting or interfering with a peace officer performing official duties, or obstructing an arrest. Up to 90 days, a $1,000 fine, or both, and more with force or violence.
- Deadly forceIntentionally taking another's life, authorized only when necessary to resist or prevent an offense the person reasonably believes exposes someone to great bodily harm or death, or to prevent a felony in the person's place of abode.