18.2-479.1 - Resisting lawful arrest; penalty. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-479.1. Resisting lawful arrest; penalty.

A. Any person who intentionally prevents or attempts to prevent alaw-enforcement officer from lawfully arresting him, with or without awarrant, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. For purposes of this section, intentionally preventing or attempting toprevent a lawful arrest means fleeing from a law-enforcement officer when (i)the officer applies physical force to the person, or (ii) the officercommunicates to the person that he is under arrest and (a) the officer hasthe legal authority and the immediate physical ability to place the personunder arrest, and (b) a reasonable person who receives such communicationknows or should know that he is not free to leave.

(2003, cc. 112, 805.)