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evading arrest or detention

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 Maryland, fleeing and eluding law enforcement is a criminal offense under Maryland Transportation Code §21-904. An individual is considered to have committed this crime if they willfully fail to stop for a police officer or flee on foot, by vehicle, or by watercraft after the officer has signaled for them to stop. The law applies when the individual knows or should reasonably know that the person pursuing them is a peace officer or federal special investigator attempting a lawful arrest or detention. Penalties for this offense are more severe if the individual uses a motor vehicle or watercraft to flee, or if their actions result in injury to another person. The offense can lead to fines, imprisonment, and points added to the individual's driving record. Specific penalties vary depending on whether the fleeing and eluding is on foot or by vehicle, and on the severity of the consequences of the flight.

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Police

evading arrest or detention

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Maryland State Code

Police

evading arrest or detention

Maryland State Code

Articles