Getting stopped by a state trooper when driving can be a tense, stressful experience. Whenever you're in this situation, the most important thing you can do is cooperate with the law enforcement officer. You shouldn't try to argue, negotiate, or use any physical force whatsoever when interacting with police. Any wrong move, even an innocent one, can be misconstrued as resisting arrest or assaulting a police officer. In Pennsylvania, resisting arrest is a second-degree misdemeanor, and assaulting a police officer is a first-degree felony. 

If you have had a problematic encounter with a police officer in Pennsylvania and you've been charged with a criminal offense as a result, you should contact the Criminal Defense Team at LLF Law Firm. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or send us your information using our online form. 

Woman Is Charged With Aggravated Assault Against a Police Officer 

In late January, a Maryland woman named Margot Bass was arrested in Hampton for resisting arrest, aggravated assault, and driving the wrong direction on a one-way road. A PennDOT employee reported Bass as driving backward in an eastbound direction in westbound travel lanes. By the time a state trooper showed up to the scene, Bass' vehicle was stopped, facing the wrong direction and partially blocking the right lane of travel. 

If Bass had cooperated with the trooper, she would have only been charged with traffic violations. However, she refused to acknowledge the trooper when he approached her vehicle—she didn't roll down her window, unlock her car, or provide any identification. Eventually, the trooper tried to force entry by breaking the driver-side window and unlocking the door from the inside. Bass then attempted to rake the trooper's arm over the broken glass. When the trooper managed to open the door, she bit, scratched, and kicked the trooper. 

As a result of this behavior, Bass has been charged with two criminal offenses in addition to her traffic violations. She will have to appear at a Magisterial District hearing as a result. 

What to Do After a Troublesome Encounter With a Police Officer 

When you don't cooperate with a state trooper, it can lead to harsh consequences. Bass could be facing two years in jail for resisting arrest and up to 20 years in prison for assaulting a police officer. If you're in a similar situation following an interaction with a Pennsylvania law enforcement officer, your first call should be to the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm. We provide a strong defense to people charged with crimes throughout Pennsylvania and can help you stand up for your rights. 

Call the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form with your details, and a member of our team will get back to you.