Failure to obey a police order

{{Short description|Form of unlawful activity}} {{multiple issues|{{more citations needed|date=April 2016}} {{use mdy dates |date=August 2020}} {{globalize|date=December 2010}}}}

'''Failure to obey a police officer''', '''failure to obey a police order''', or '''failure to obey a lawful order''' is a crime in certain jurisdictions.

==Canada== In Canada, the Criminal Code makes it illegal for a motor vehicle driver to disobey an order to stop for a police officer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Legislative Services |date=2022-11-17 |title=Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Criminal Code |url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-44.html#docCont |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=laws-lois.justice.gc.ca}}</ref> This includes flight from a peace officer. Such a charge, other than those involving death or bodily harm, can be prosecuted either summarily or by indictment. Flight from police causing injury or death is always indictable, with maximum penalties of 14 years and life imprisonment, respectively. A conviction also comes with a mandatory driver licence suspension by the relevant provincial or territorial Ministry of Transportation (e.g. [http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section4.8.5.shtml minimum 5-year suspension] of Ontario-wide driving privileges).

==United States== In the United States, a failure to obey charge is typically a misdemeanor. For example, in Virginia, it is a misdemeanor to refuse to assist an officer in responding to a breach of the peace<ref>{{citation|title=§ 18.2-464. Failure to obey order of conservator of the peace.|url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-464/}}</ref> or in executing his official duties in a criminal case.<ref>{{citation |url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-463/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030514023554/https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-463/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-05-14 |title=§ 18.2-463. Refusal to aid officer in execution of his office }}</ref> In Washington, DC, this law is utilized primarily for purposes of ensuring that officers tasked with directing traffic have the authority to direct motorists and pedestrians in a proper and safe manner.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.dcwatch.com/police/030125.htm |title=Final Report Relative to Complaints of Alleged Misconduct Made at the October 24, 2002, Hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Council of the District of Columbia Concerning the IMF/World Bank Protest |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006135953/http://dcwatch.com/police/030125.htm |archivedate=2010-10-06 }}</ref>

== Sweden == An individual who refuses "to obey an official command" given by a police officer may be charged under the Swedish Criminal Code.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oliver |first=Amy |display-authors= |date=2020 |title=The Swedish Criminal Code |url=https://www.government.se/contentassets/7a2dcae0787e465e9a2431554b5eab03/the-swedish-criminal-code.pdf |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Government Offices of Sweden}}</ref> It is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of six months. Notable individuals who have been cited under this statute include Greta Thunberg, who was charged 1,500 Swedish krona for her refusal to disperse<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2020 |title=Greta Thunberg charged again for disobeying police order |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greta-thunberg-charged-again-disobeying-police-order-2023-09-15/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> from a peaceful protest on September 15, 2020.

== Germany == Failure to obey a police officer in Germany can result to hefty fines or up to three years in prison. This is under Section 113 of the German Criminal Code. This law covers active efforts or motions to disobey a police officer in some form. The penalty for this in Germany varies depending on the severity of the act. For example the German court has a list of words deemed offensive. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Resisting Police and other Law Enforcement Officers in Germany |url=https://se-legal.de/criminal-defense-lawyer/resistance-to-police-and-other-law-enforcement-officers-in-germany/?lang=en |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Schlun & Elseven |language=en}}</ref>

== United Kingdom == In the United Kingdom failure to obey a police officer could pertain to resisting arrest or failure to comply with police orders which can result in large fines or jail time. If the situation is deemed serious enough the fines and potential jail time could increase in severity. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Police powers to stop and search, enter private property and seize goods |url=https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/law-and-courts/legal-system-s/police-s/police-powers-to-stop-and-search-enter-private-property-and-seize-goods-s/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Citizens Advice |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Failure To Obey A Police Order}} Category:Crimes