Resisting And Eluding
N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2 — a disorderly persons offense, and a crime by flight or force
| Purposely preventing, or trying to prevent, an arrest | Grade |
|---|---|
| Purposely preventing, or trying to prevent, an arrestBy other means | GradeDisorderly persons offense |
| Purposely preventing, or trying to prevent, an arrestBy flight | GradeCrime of the fourth degree |
| Purposely preventing, or trying to prevent, an arrestBy force or threat of force, or creating a substantial risk of injury | GradeCrime of the third degree |
An unlawful arrest is not a defense, if announced. In New Jersey, it is no defense that the officer was acting unlawfully in making the arrest, if the officer was acting under color of official authority and announced the intention to arrest before the resistance.
Knowingly fleeing or trying to elude an officer after a signal to stop, in a vehicle or vessel, is a crime of the third degree, or the second degree if it creates a risk of death or injury, and the court suspends the license for six months to two years.
Sources for this section (1)
- N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2 — Resisting arrest; eluding an officer
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Jersey attorney.