Bill > H1288

This bill, titled "Relative to resisting arrest," proposes changes to the penalties for the crime of resisting arrest in Massachusetts. Specifically, it amends Section 32B of chapter 268 of the General Laws by modifying subsection (d). The existing law's penalty for violating this section is being replaced with a new provision that outlines increased penalties for resisting arrest, particularly when the violation results in injury to a police officer. Under the proposed changes, a standard violation of this section could result in up to 2 and a half years in jail or a house of correction, or a fine of up to $500, or both. However, if the resisting arrest leads to injury to a police officer, the penalties are significantly increased: imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for up to 2 and a half years and a fine of up to $1,000, or imprisonment in state prison for up to 10 years. This means the bill aims to impose harsher consequences for resisting arrest, especially in cases where law enforcement officers are harmed.