Being confronted by law enforcement can be intimidating, particularly if you have been identified as a suspect. There is no telling how a person might react in such a scenario. Some individuals may be able to remain calm, while others might panic and want to get out of there. In stressful scenarios, our fight-or-flight instinct can kick in.
One thing that you definitely shouldn’t do is try to run away. Outlined below are a few reasons why.
You can worsen your case
Officers may have confronted you initially for a short chat. The reality is that if they have no evidence against you or probable cause, you’d most likely have been allowed to get on with your day. Remember, other than offering your name and personal details, you are not obliged to tell the police anything else. This is a right that is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. By running away, law enforcement might be able to argue that you gave them the probable cause required to carry out an arrest.
You can face criminal charges
There may have been no evidence to charge you until you fled the scene. In Georgia, you could face separate charges for obstructing an officer during the course of their duties. This crime is likely to be looked at separately from the original allegations. So, even if the initial charges are dropped, you could be convicted after running away.
You place yourself in danger
If you run then it’s likely that law enforcement will pursue you. They’ll also likely call in reinforcements. They may form the wrong impression that you are armed and dangerous. Situations like this can soon get out of hand and you are placing yourself in physical danger by trying to get away.
As difficult as it is, it’s important to remain calm and patient when dealing with law enforcement. You’ll have your chance to put your side of the story across and it’s best to do this with legal guidance behind you.