Does Resfusing to Aid an Office Make You Criminal?

Sometimes, deciding to 'mind your own business' and refusing to help an officer in need can land you in jail.

You have been a service guy of an apartment building for quite a long time now. In this kind of business, you see and hear a lot of things. But you decide not to get involved. You have met different kinds of people. You have seen them come and go. “Today is just one of those days again.” you say to yourself.

As the day moves along, everything goes smoothly, as it usually does. But as the clock strikes 4:10 PM, a man dressed in a black suit comes in and shows a badge. He asks who would be responsible for holding the keys to the apartment doors. He asks you to help him arrest a man staying in apartment 203. You refuse because you know the man in that apartment is a serial killer, or so you have heard. Little do you know, you have just committed the crime of refusing to aid an officer.

What Does It Mean To Refuse Aid To An Officer?

A person can be charged of refusing to aid an officer if that person is 18 years of age and above, and, upon command, knowingly fails or refuses to help a peace officer in catching or apprehending a person whom the peace officer has the authority to claim.

The Elements in Refusing To Aid an Officer

        1)     A commissioned person, 18 years old and above, fails to aid the peace officer in securing or making a lawful arrest.

        2)     A person commits refusing to aid an officer when he allows the commission by another person of any offense.

        3)     A person who refused to give aid to a peace officer may not be charged of refusing to aid an officer, as long as the refusal to aid is within reasonable circumstances.

    4)   Refusing to aid an officer is a class C misdemeanor.

Class C Misdemeanor

Refusing to aid an officer is a class C misdemeanor, which means a defendant accused of this crime can plead not guilty and may seek to have a trial. If the defendant opts to have a trial, he or she will need to give an appearance bond. This will be used to make sure that you do appear at the day and time of trial. Once you appear in court, the bond money will be given back.

In Texas, a person can plead, too, of being guilty or nolo contendere and can pay the fine amount. The defendant may also choose to pay the fine by working in the Sheriff’s office. Applications must be passed through the court and will be granted if the sheriff approves of them.

Punishment

As a Class C Misdemeanor, the penalty for refusing to aid an officer depends on the state laws. Fines can be a maximum of $500.00. A violator can also be imprisoned or can be both fined and imprisoned.

===

We all want to think we are safe but are we? If you want to know more about the different types of crimes committed today, RecordsSiteReviews.com is offering FREE ACCESS to its Criminal Records Information section. If you have a nagging suspicion on someone, run a criminal check on him or her today !