Mark Mandell, Esq.
Motorists are pulled over by
police officers every day for a variety of different reasons. Whatever the
circumstances, there are many acts prohibited by law citizens should avoid when
being stopped by police so as to refrain from making matters worse.
First, MCL
750.479a(1) states that when a police officer in uniform signals by hand,
voice, emergency light, or siren for the driver to pull over, the driver may
not willfully disobey the signal. An individual who does willfully obey such a
direction is guilty of fourth-degree fleeing and eluding, a felony punishable
by imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to $2,000. Both the level
of the felony and the punishment increase if the fleeing results in an
accident, results in the death or injury of another person, the speed limit is
less than 35 miles-per-hour, or the driver has prior convictions.
Second, there are more laws that
apply once a driver has come to a stop. MCL 750.479(1)(b) states that a person
may not assault, batter, wound, obstruct, or endanger an officer enforcing the
law. This includes the use or threatened use of physical interference or force
as well as a knowing failure to comply with a lawful command. An individual who
engages in any of the prohibited conduct is guilty of a felony punishable by
imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to $2,000. Furthermore, if a
violation of this statute causes injury or death to the officer, the punishment
significantly increases.
To avoid incurring any additional
legal trouble, your best bet when traveling on the roadways is always to comply
with an officer’s commands.
If you have questions about
criminal matters, fraud or other legal issues, please contact Mark Mandell at
248-468-4536 or online at www.fb-firm.com.
Fausone Bohn, LLP has assisted clients pulled over for drunk driving
and other driving infractions throughout southeast Michigan, including Detroit,
Ann Arbor, Northville, Novi, Livonia, Canton, Farmington, and Royal Oak.
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