Resisting arrest in Rhode Island is intentionally preventing or obstructing a police officer from making a lawful arrest under R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-10. The charge is typically a misdemeanor with up to 1 year jail and fines up to $500. Common scenarios include physically struggling during an arrest, pulling away from officers, running from police during attempted detention, and using force to prevent handcuffing. Like obstruction, resisting arrest is frequently added as a stacking charge alongside the primary offense. The charge requires the underlying arrest to be LAWFUL — if the arrest was unlawful, resisting it may not be a crime.
