If you run from a cop, can you be arrested?

Question

Ok, just an off the wall question. My friends and I saw a cop driving by yesterday, and my friend said we should just run for the hell of it to see if he'd chase us. The question that got brought up though was could you get in trouble for it, even if you aren't doing anything wrong? I mean the most obvious thing would be resisting arrest, but that's all I can think of. Can anyone give us any more info on what could/can happen if you run from a cop for no reason?

Ok, just an off the wall question. My friends and I saw a cop driving by yesterday, and my friend said we should just run for the hell of it to see if he'd chase us. The question that got brought up though was could you get in trouble for it, even if you aren't doing anything wrong? I mean the most obvious thing would be resisting arrest, but that's all I can think of. Can anyone give us any more info on what could/can happen if you run from a cop for no reason?

EDIT: Man you people need to lighten up. We did not run, and it was my friends (stupid) idea. I told him we shouldn't, and that's what brought up the question (I told him we could get in trouble). So, all you people posting rude or immature responses, please take them somewhere else.

Answer 1

Yes, it could be considered resisting an arrest/detention. The courts have ruled that unprovoked flight, by itself, is reasonable suspicion for a detention.

And I have never once had someone run for "no reason."

If they did, they would still likely get charged. If I have to chase you, you are probably going to jail.

Answer 2

First, My intention is not to be rude. I would like to give you a scenario that should answer your question. Lets say you and your buddies, Just for kicks, or as you put it, for the hell of it, see a cop and decide " lets haul A** and see if He catches us " so you and your buddies take off in a full run as soon as He comes up on you. The Cop yells "STOP!" POLICE! but you keep running. Now, maybe you and your friends get away, or maybe the Cop catches up to you just as your cellphone starts to ring, and thinking nothing of it you reach in your pocket to answer the phone when all of a sudden you feel a seering hot pain in your chest, a loud boom, and you get knocked off your feet by some unknown force, and as you lay there DIEING!,;;;;;;;;;; A quick thought runs through your head, WHY!? did this Cop just Shoot Me Dead?

While you may be thinking " How Lame ", this probably could never happen to me." You guys need to remember something when your thinking about pulling that kind of stunt, A Cop doesn't know your just messing around AND you don't know if He's in the neighborhood LOOKING for a guy or guys that just committed a crime in the area. Please use your heads, and don't give the officer a reason to get trigger happy. Oh!, And by the way, YES they can arrest you for running and making the cop chase you. You might also consider that when He finds out it was just for kicks, He just might throw in some trumpt-up charges,JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT!! I do hope this helps and again, I'm not trying to be a smart-A**.

GOD BLESS/GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

You could only be charged with resisting arrest if the cop was trying to arrest you and then you ran. The cop would probably see you running, think something was up, and take off after you. Once he caught you and found nothing, he'd be irritated that you made him run and would probably roll his eyes at your "test," call you a punk, and tell you to go away. A mean, jerk cop would arrest you and try to find a way to irritate you back with some stupid, outdated violation or fine.

Answer 4

If a cop has to run your punkass down then you're going to jail. And your immature actions are taking the officer away from going to legitimate calls from people who really do need help. So do us all a favor and grow up. Leave the cops alone.

Answer 5

Some years ago, I was on patrol looking for a couple of white males suspects suspected of several burglaries. I spot two young men that might be my suspects, they see me and bolt down an alley. I go after them, calling for back up as they ran.

Another responding patrol cut them off at the other end of the alley. I jump from the car as they try to scale an eight foot wood fence. I'm yelling the prescribed, "stop police" as I grab the leg of one of the guys, who tries to kick loose and nails me on the forehead with his boot heel. I jerk his sorry butt of the top of the fence and let him drop the eight feet to the dirt and pounce on his back and 'cuff him. The other officer, younger and speedier, scaled the fence and caught the other guy across the yard.

They weren't my burglarers, just two dumb college jocks that thought it would be funny to get cops to chase them and outrun them. They were charged with, Disorderly Conduct, Attempting to Elude an Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Assaulting a Police Officer (which, in this state, is a felony). They spent the weekend in jail while their parents tried to raise $2500 bond to get them out. They were allowed to plea bargin this down to Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest. $1000.00 fines for the both of them, a written letter of apology to myself and the other officer, and had to reimburse the city for the emergency room treatment for my boo-boo on my forehead, another $450.00

Dumb stuff equals really bad consequences.

Answer 6

It is not a good idea, it is suspicious activity. Do cops have to wait until the tornado hits to check the weather report.
As for everybody chilling out on you, you brought this up , OK?
Find better friends is my opinion, not that you care. I'm really not sure why you asked this question?
You don't want to listen to answers, right?

Answer 7

You will be caught, takled, and possibly have some broken bones. Cop love a reason to get physical. And will put as many charges on you as the law will allow

Answer 8

You have been resisting arrest that's certainly a criminal offense. you are able to desire to certainly acquire some prison time. If no longer then a great and community provider. you need to be careful. you're 17 and rather much 18 they are unlikely to aid you get away with issues and enormously with drunk driving you are able to desire to be hurting your destiny checklist.

Answer 9

haha thats a good question...i guess it depends on how good of a day the cop is having b/c he might arrest you he might not, for suspicious activity or evading arrest...i guess if he has to chase you then you can get arrested...thats the stupidest thing though to arrest someone if they really didnt do anything..

Answer 10

if you run from a cop, they can make up ANY reason to arrest you! they can say you were being disrespectful, suspicious activity... i got pulled over once cause my friend gave a cop the peace sign!