POLL: Should Resisting Arrest Be A Felony?

LONG ISLAND, NY - A Long Island politician is proposing a new legislation that would make resisting arrest a class E felony.

Assemblyman Mike LiPetri introduced the law in response to some recent attacks against police officers while apprehending suspects.

Currently, resisting arrest is a class A misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in prison and a $1,000 fine. The punishment for class E felonies is typically between one and four years in prison.

Resisting arrest is defined when a person intentionally prevents or attempts to prevent a police officer or peace officer from effecting an authorized arrest, according to LiPetri.

"Growing anti-police sentiment has created an environment where resisting arrest has become acceptable and often celebrated," LiPetri said. "By increasing the penalty for resisting arrest from a simple misdemeanor to a felony, we will send a strong message that such despicable acts will not be tolerated."

He also says that he hopes this new law would restore the commitment to law and order.

Last month, a Long Island woman with an open warrant fought officers, injuring one of them, when they tried to arrest her in East Garden City, according to Nassau Police.

In addition on July 25 a New York City woman threatened cops, screamed and shouted obscenities, blocked the sidewalk and prevented them from investigating in Yorktown, Yorktown police said. She also ran away when she was told she was under arrest, police said, and resisted once she was apprehended.

What do you think?