A person commits a criminal offense (crime) if they intentionally flee from a person they know or should know is a peace officer or federal special investigator attempting to lawfully arrest or detain them. A person will be subject to higher penalties if they use a motor vehicle or watercraft while evading arrest or detention, or cause injury to another person. This criminal offense is also known as “fleeing and eluding.”
In Rhode Island, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer is a criminal offense. This occurs when an individual intentionally runs away from someone they are aware, or should be aware, is a peace officer or federal special investigator who is trying to lawfully arrest or detain them. The state law imposes stricter penalties if the individual uses a motor vehicle or watercraft to flee or if their actions result in injury to another person. The severity of the offense and the corresponding penalties can vary based on the circumstances, such as the manner of flight and whether it created a risk of causing physical injury to others. The specific statutes governing this offense can be found in the Rhode Island General Laws, and they outline the legal consequences for those found guilty of fleeing and eluding.