The fleeing statute in Arkansas is defined under Arkansas Code 5-54-125, which establishes the legal duty for individuals to not flee when an immediate arrest or detention is being attempted by a law enforcement officer.
Understanding Arkansas's Fleeing Statute
Arkansas law makes it a specific criminal offense for a person to flee from an attempted arrest or detention. This statute aims to ensure public safety and facilitate lawful law enforcement activities by requiring individuals to comply with attempts at immediate arrest or detention.
According to Arkansas Code 5-54-125, if an individual is aware that a duly authorized law enforcement officer is attempting to effect an immediate arrest or detention, that person has a lawful duty to refrain from fleeing. This duty applies regardless of the method of flight, whether it's on foot or by utilizing any type of vehicle or conveyance.
Key Elements of Arkansas Code 5-54-125
For a violation of the fleeing statute to occur, specific conditions, or elements, must be met:
- Knowledge of Attempted Action: The person must know that an immediate arrest or detention is being attempted.
- Law Enforcement Officer: The attempt must be made by a duly authorized law enforcement officer.
- Duty to Refrain: There is a clear legal obligation to refrain from fleeing.
- Method of Flight: Fleeing includes actions taken on foot or by means of any vehicle or conveyance.
This statute underscores the expectation of compliance with lawful orders from police, ensuring that individuals do not evade the legal process by attempting to escape.
Statute Overview
Here's a quick reference to the statute:
| Statute Number | Description (Core Principle) |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Code 5-54-125 | Defines the lawful duty of a person to refrain from fleeing when they know a duly authorized law enforcement officer is attempting an immediate arrest or detention, whether fleeing on foot or by vehicle/conveyance. |
For the full text of the statute, you can refer to the official source on FindLaw.
