Bill > SB561

This bill modifies Missouri's law on resisting or interfering with arrest by expanding and clarifying the definition of the offense. Under the new provisions, a person commits this offense if they knowingly prevent a law enforcement officer from making an arrest, stop, or detention by using or threatening violence, physical force, or by fleeing. The bill applies to arrests with or without warrants, for any offense or violation, and includes warrants issued by courts or probation and parole officers. A person is presumed to be fleeing a vehicle stop if they continue driving after seeing emergency lights or hearing an audible signal from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle. The bill maintains that an officer's potential unlawful actions do not serve as a defense against resisting arrest, though it does not prevent civil suits for unlawful arrest. The offense is classified as a class E felony for arrests related to felonies, failure to appear in felony cases, or probation violations, and as a class A misdemeanor for other situations, unless the fleeing creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death, in which case it remains a class E felony. A new provision also allows for vehicle impoundment and forfeiture for offenses classified as class E felonies under this section.

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https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=2237222