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Failure to Obey a Police Officer

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 section 25 requires anyone who is either operating or in charge of a motor vehicle to comply with certain demands of police officers. Prosecutions under this law require proof beyond a reasonable doubt of the following elements:

  1. That you were operating or were in charge of a motor vehicle;
  2. That a police officer was either in uniform or had conspicuously displayed his badge on the outside of his clothing;
  3. That you:
    1. refused to give your name and address to the officer upon request;
    2. refused to provide the name and address of the owner of the vehicle to the officer upon request;
    3. gave the officer a false name;
    4. refused to stop when signaled to do so by the officer;
    5. refused to produce your license and registration upon the request of the officer;
    6. refused to sign your name in the presence of the officer;
  4. That you realized that the officer had made such a command and that you intentionally disobeyed that command.

If you have been charged with one of these offenses it is important to remember that this is a crime not a civil infraction. Even if you are not arrested you should contact a lawyer. You should be given a citation and might be summonsed to court to defend against these allegations. Many people go to court with charges like this and plead guilty not knowing that they just admitted to committing a crime. They assume that since the case can be "resolved" by payment of court costs or a fine that there are no consequences. That belief is often incorrect. Contact a lawyer immediately if you have any questions about the type of proceeding you are facing in court.

Penalty: $100 fine.

Here is the most common scenario we see when defending these cases. A police officer is wearing civilian clothes and driving vehicle other than a marked or unmarked cruiser. For some reason the officer takes exception to the way our client is driving. He either pulls up next to our client or approaches the client at a stop light and brandishes a badge. In the process of doing so the officer acts in an aggressive, threatening and intimidating manner. Our clients do not believe him or her to be a police officer. Consequently the client drives away. Later, the client receives a summons in the mail to appear in court for a clerk magistrate hearing. These circumstances often motivate the clerk not to issue the complaint, particularly where the accused does not have a criminal record or a significant driving record.

It is always to hire a lawyer if you have to go to court. Even if the court proceeding is a clerk magistrate hearing we advise you to appear with counsel. Cases involving the failure to submit to a police officer can usually be worked out before you have to appear in a criminal courtroom before a judge. Hiring a lawyer right away will save you money in the long run and likely put criminal cases like this one to rest quickly.

Case Results » Failure to Obey a Police Officer
  • Motion to dismiss charges of failure to stop for a police officer and negligent operation allowed

    Plymouth District Court: The prosecution alleged that police saw a car driving at a high rate of speed and proceed through a roundabout without yielding. When police activated their lights to stop the car, the driver accelerated to 85-90 mph, crossed traffic lanes, and failed to stop. Police went to the home of the registered owner who informed the police that our client was in possession of the car and was out in the car. Today, Denise Dolan of our office moved to dismiss the complaint for lack of probable cause. The motion was allowed, and the charges were dismissed.

  • Application for complaint charging Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop for a Police Officer dismissed after Clerk's Hearing

    Wareham District Court: On August 7, 2011 shortly before 6:00 p.m. a Rochester, Massachusetts police officer observed a car traveling 57 in a 40 mile per hour zone. The officer followed the car and activated its lights. The car failed to stop for the officer and continued its high speed of travel for about two miles. The officer eventually effectuated a stop and approached the driver, a recent college graduate and media marketing executive. She was charged with Failing to Stop for a Police Officer and Operating to Endanger. The defendant hired Attorney Stephen Neyman to defend her. After a Clerk's Hearing all charges were dismissed.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"We went to trial and won. He saved me fifteen years mandatory in state prison for this case." A.C. Boston, Massachusetts
★★★★★
"I hired him and he got the case dismissed before I had to go into a courtroom. My school never found out and if they had I would have lost my academic scholarships. He really saved my college career." Melissa C. Cold Spring, New York, October 2013
★★★★★
"My union rep told me to call Steve Neyman. From the get go I felt comfortable with him. He took the time to talk to me about my case whenever I needed .... He even gave me his personal cell number and took all my calls. We won the case and I kept my job." Bart L. S.
★★★★★
"The best criminal defense lawyer in Massachusetts. Takes all of his client's calls at any time of the day or night. He was always there for me and my family. Steve saved my life." Jacquille D. Brockton, Massachusetts
★★★★★
"In less than two months Stephen Neyman got my old conviction vacated. I now have no criminal record." Paul W. Boston, Massachusetts