Resisting Arrest Defense Lawyer in Denver, Colorado

Wolf Law is proud to serve Denver and surrounding communities, including Aurora, Lakewood, and the broader Denver Metro area. Being arrested is a frightening and disorienting experience. In the moment, the impulse to pull away, to object, or to resist can arise instinctively. But in Colorado, resisting arrest is a criminal offense — and it is one that prosecutors take seriously. If you have been charged with resisting arrest, whether on its own or alongside other charges, you need an excellent criminal defense attorney working on your behalf.

Wolf Law represents individuals across Colorado with a criminal defense practice focused on preparation, strategy, and strong legal advocacy. Attorneys and Partners Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley lead the firm’s defense team, each bringing decades of trial experience and a commitment to protecting their clients’ rights at every stage. Both attorneys are known for their sharp legal analysis and national media presence on Court TV and Law & Crime, and both bring the same level of rigorous preparation and courtroom skill to every resisting arrest defense case they handle in Colorado.

Resisting arrest charges can arise from a brief physical reaction during an arrest, from verbal confrontations with officers, or from situations where the arrest itself was unlawful. The facts matter enormously, and so does having the right legal team in your corner from the start.

What Is Resisting Arrest Under Colorado Law?

Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-8-103, a person commits resisting arrest if they knowingly prevent or attempt to prevent a peace officer, acting under color of official authority, from effecting an arrest by using or threatening to use physical force or violence, or by using any other means that creates a substantial risk of physical injury to the officer or another person.

Resisting arrest is a class 2 misdemeanor under Colorado’s two-class misdemeanor system. While that may sound minor, a conviction carries real consequences: a permanent criminal record, fines, potential jail time, and the collateral impact on employment and other areas of your life. It is also frequently charged alongside other offenses — assault on a peace officer, obstruction, or the underlying charge that prompted the arrest — which can significantly increase your overall legal exposure.

What Are Common Scenarios That Lead to Resisting Arrest Charges?

Resisting arrest charges arise from a wide range of situations, and not all of them involve intentional defiance. Our attorneys frequently represent clients in these circumstances:

Physical reaction during an arrest: Pulling away from an officer’s grip, twisting, or struggling during handcuffing can be charged as resisting arrest even when the person did not intend to obstruct the officer. Intent is a key element our attorneys examine closely.
Verbal escalation: While verbal objection alone does not constitute resisting arrest under Colorado law, situations where verbal confrontation escalates and an officer perceives a physical threat can result in charges.
Flight on foot: Fleeing from an officer attempting to make an arrest can be charged as resisting arrest. The specific facts of the flight — and whether the arrest itself was lawful — are central to the defense.
DUI and traffic stops: Resisting arrest frequently arises during DUI stops or traffic-related arrests in Denver, Aurora, and along the I-25 corridor. Our attorneys examine the full sequence of events leading to the arrest and the resisting allegation.

Why Resisting Arrest Charges Require Immediate Legal Attention

Even as a misdemeanor, a resisting arrest conviction permanently marks your criminal record. More importantly, resisting arrest charges almost always accompany another offense, and the combination can significantly escalate the prosecution’s leverage in the case. How the resisting arrest charge is handled can directly affect the outcome of the underlying charge as well.

In Colorado, everyone charged with a crime is entitled to bond, unless they are charged with first degree murder — the question is the ability to meet the conditions set by the court. How bond is set can affect your ability to work and care for your family while your case is pending. Our attorneys appear at bond hearings and fight for conditions that are fair given the specific circumstances of your case.

Charged with resisting arrest in Denver, Aurora, or Lakewood? Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 for a free consultation. Our legal team will evaluate your case immediately.

What Are the Defenses to Resisting Arrest in Colorado?

There are several viable defense strategies our attorneys evaluate in resisting arrest cases:

Unlawful arrest: Colorado law recognizes that a person may use reasonable force to resist an unlawful arrest. If the officer lacked legal authority to make the arrest, the resisting arrest charge may not hold. Our attorneys examine the lawfulness of the underlying arrest as a threshold matter.
No physical force or substantial risk: The statute requires the use or threat of physical force, or conduct creating a substantial risk of injury. Purely verbal objection does not meet this standard. Our attorneys challenge whether the conduct alleged actually satisfies the legal elements.
Lack of knowing conduct: Resisting arrest requires that the defendant knowingly prevented or attempted to prevent the arrest. An involuntary physical reaction — a startle response, a medical episode, or confusion about what was happening — may negate this element.
Excessive force by the officer: If the officer used excessive force in making the arrest, the context changes significantly. Our attorneys investigate officer conduct and document any use of force that exceeds what the law permits.

How Resisting Arrest Charges Interact With Other Offenses

Resisting arrest is frequently charged alongside assault on a peace officer, which is a felony under Colorado law, as well as obstruction charges and the underlying offense that triggered the arrest. Managing the full scope of the charges — not just the resisting arrest count — requires a defense strategy that addresses the entire case.

Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley are both excellent trial attorneys who understand how stacked charges work and how to address them strategically. Both appear regularly on national platforms including Law & Crime and Court TV, bringing the same high-level legal analysis they apply in Colorado courtrooms to their national commentary. Whether your case is in Denver County Court, the Jefferson County Courthouse in Lakewood, or another court in the Denver Metro area, our legal team is ready.

What to Do If You Have Been Charged With Resisting Arrest

Do not discuss the incident: Do not talk to police, prosecutors, or anyone else about what happened without your attorney present. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
Write down everything you remember: Document your recollection of the arrest as soon as possible — what the officer said, what happened, and the sequence of events. These details matter and they fade quickly.
Gather any available evidence: If there was surveillance, witnesses, or other documentation of the arrest, let your attorney know. Independent evidence of the arrest circumstances can be critical.
Call Wolf Law immediately: The sooner our legal team is involved, the more we can do to protect your rights and your record. Call 720.479.8574 today.

Contact Wolf Law — Fight Your Resisting Arrest Charge

Resisting arrest charges are serious and deserve serious legal attention. Wolf Law offers free consultations, and our attorneys are ready to evaluate your case and build your defense from day one. Call 720.479.8574 to speak with our legal team today.

Wolf Law represents clients throughout Colorado with excellent criminal defense. From Denver to Aurora, Lakewood, and every community in between, our attorneys are ready to stand beside you. Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 for your free consultation.

Wolf Law | 720.479.8574 | Free Consultation | Colorado Criminal Defense

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Colleen Kelley and Wolf Law

In the past few years I have had the unfortunate circumstance of needing a criminal defense attorney. I cannot overstate how fortunate I was to have chosen Colleen Kelley. I can honestly say that without Colleen on my side that I would have been sentenced to significantly more time and more serious charges than were warranted in my situation.

Colleen is undoubtedly a major reason as to why I am free today and able to move on with rebuilding my life. I would without hesitation recommend Colleen to anyone who needs a criminal defense attorney.

— Matthew M.

Working with Mr. Wolf

I cannot speak high enough of Mr. Jeffrey Wolf! He was very pleasant to work with and explained each step of the journey from start to the final video teleconference with the judge. He negotiated a much lower sentence with the DA from DUI to DWAI. He reiterated several points that were then considered by the judge and taken into account in deciding my sentence. He was always prompt in any communications and worked tirelessly on my case to get a very favorable outcome for me. I would whole-heartedly recommend Mr. Wolf as you can be ensured it felt like I was an individual that truly mattered to him and his practice. From the very first phone call, I had nothing but respect for him and felt I was in good hands, that he then proved! You can’t go wrong with Mr. Jeffrey Wolf!

— - L

Wow

Unfortunately, I have required an attorney more than a few times. That said, Jeff is the most intelligent, competent, compassionate, committed, aggressive representation to be found, without a doubt. Facing a felony DUI, no proof of insurance, careless driving and cruelty to animals (my dog gets more love than most people in the world), followed by two DURs (driving under revocation), I pretty much felt I was screwed. After hiring and firing two attorneys, I called Jeff. Note: Do your research before you waste money, and do whatever it takes to get the money for proper representation. I met with Jeff based on his peer reviews, client reviews, education and experience; all of them positive and 100 percent accurate. Twenty minutes into the consultation, all my built-up stress and anxiety had been significantly reduced. I thought my driving privileges were over for a while. Jeff showed me what I needed to do to get a restricted license, which I was able to do within a few days. Following that he made two DURs, jail time offenses, turn into one zero-point traffic violation. Then, one year to the date of my run-in with the law, Jeff and I went to trial. The no insurance charge was dropped. I was insured. The cruelty to animals charge was dropped after the first day of trial. On the second day, I was found not guilty of DUI, DWAI and careless driving. The time, effort and determination Jeff put in was clear, and his strategies and trial skills were clearly superb. No better counsel can be found in my opinion.

— Patrick

Exceptional Attorney Who Truly Cares

I cannot thank Jeffrey enough for his dedication and hard work on my case. From the very beginning, he took the time to understand every detail and worked diligently to ensure the best possible outcome. His expertise, professionalism, and clear communication made a challenging situation much easier to navigate.

What sets Jeffrey apart is his genuine care and commitment to his clients. He went above and beyond to advocate for me, and I always felt like I was in capable and trustworthy hands.

I highly recommend Jeffrey to anyone in need of legal representation. He’s not only an outstanding attorney but also a great person who truly cares about his clients’ success. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate!

— Anonymous

Saved My License

Highly recommend Jeff Wolf. My license was in jeopardy, and thanks to his knowledge, dedication, and hard work, he helped me save it. He guided me through the entire process, fought for the best possible outcome, and gave me peace of mind during a stressful time. If you’re looking for someone who truly cares and delivers results, I can’t recommend Jeff Wolf enough.

— Marcos

Wolf Fought Hard and I Owe Him for All He Did

I am writing this letter to show how much I appreciate Mr. Jeff Wolf for representing me in my DUI case. When I first visited Mr. Wolf I had all these questions of what is going to happen in the case and to myself. I did have a prior DUI in another state so this was new to me.

I received my DUI in April and finished my court in September. During this time Mr. Wolf had an open door policy if you wanted to visit or maybe answer any questions that I may have had. His personal attention to my case made me feel at ease at all my court appearances.

Mr. Wolf guided me through all the steps that were taking place around my case and all his advice paid off when the day came for my sentencing. Actually, the judge was impressed with all the steps I was doing to remedy my terrible mistake. Mr. Wolf fought hard for me and I owe him for all that he did for my family and myself. I can honestly say that I have found a gentleman that I would recommend to another or help my family with any issues.

— Brian G.

Look No Further – Jeff is the Best

I was falsely accused of a crime with serious consequences, was very depressed and got even more depressed and frustrated as I was interviewing attorneys to defend me. They had a broad spectrum of approaches and some were ready to head to trial immediately as it seemed they were primarily interested in battles and my money rather than my best interests. The first one was extremely arrogant and rushed to get me off the phone. My court appearance date was approaching and I was ready to give up when I came across Jeffrey’s website. I read he had once also been falsely accused which motivated him to become an attorney. After further reading, his philosophy appealed to me so I set up a free session.

I met with Jeffrey and told him what happened. He explained the alleged crime and potential consequences and then spoke about himself and his approach. I spent more time than the “free time” allocated but was never rushed. He listened, believed me and was really genuine as I had not witnessed before with other attorneys.

By the time we finished talking, I felt respected and not disrespected as I found out with this accusation, you are guilty until proven innocent from most everyone’s perspective. I hired Jeff on the spot and when I left his office, I felt this big burden lifted off my shoulders as I knew I could trust him to do his best for me. I was finally able to sleep that night and after several weeks able to put this out of my mind as being the constant main focus.

If you are seeking a very knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, honest and respectful attorney, Jeffrey fits the bill. He is a great listener and never rushed me even with a flat fee rate. He has a good rapport with the Court who also respectfully listens to him. He is well spoken in the courtroom. I have seen him in several cases reaching very good settlements for his clients. On my case, he provided me his opinion with his rationale as to how I should proceed but allowed me to then make a decision as to go to trial or take a plea bargain. He would fully support my decision either way. Jeff is very good in providing the pros and cons, risks, and potential scenarios that may play out. My case will be dismissed shortly and record sealed as a result of Jeff’s hard work, negotiations, poking holes in the accuser’s story pre-trial, and dedication to my satisfactory case resolution. If you want the best, look no further as you have found him. Thank you Jeff!

— David C.

So Glad I Hired Jeff Wolf for My DUI Case

I was originally considering not hiring an attorney since this was my first DUI offense but I’m definitely glad I did. It was my first DUI but I was involved in a one-car accident and totaled my car. I started to worry about the possible consequences after reading the penalties online. I contacted Jeff’s office after reading reviews on AVVO left by other clients. From the beginning he was very straightforward regarding possible penalties and possible outcomes, and gave me the details of what he would do if I hired him.

We worked out what strategies we would use for the DMV and Court. Without going into too much detail, I have to say that I was extremely happy that I decided to hire Jeff. Immediately after hiring him I felt a lot less stress about the whole situation. He was always in contact with me every step of the process and even did things for me that I didn’t have to do myself, like my DMV hearing.

Every DUI case is different based on many different circumstances, so I can’t say that my results will be yours, however I was extremely happy with my results. He won my DMV hearing, and I didn’t lose my license and got pretty much the minimum penalties in court. Overall, I would recommend him to any family or friends who find themselves in the same situation. I have several friends who had similar situations who couldn’t believe how lucky I was to get the outcome that I did. Thank you for everything Jeff!

— Daniel G.

Incredible!

I was extremely fortunate to have Jeff as my lawyer during a difficult time. He made sure I was taken care of and fought for what he knew was right on my behalf. My experience working with Jeff was nothing but great as he helped me get through my case. He is extremely knowledgeable, kind, and is willing to help out with a smile on his face. Jeff is an AMAZING lawyer and I cannot thank him enough for all the hard work he has done! Thank you Jeff!

— Summer

Best in the business

Working with Mr. Wolf was an absolute privilege. Having never been in trouble with the law before, Jeff was there for me each step of the way from the day before I turned myself in, to the very end of my case, which he was able to help me get dismissed.

A true professional, he was nothing but honest and fair to me. He showed me and my family the utmost respect through a difficult time. At a point when I felt alone, Jeff was there to make sure I would be ok.

He is true to his word, and each step of the way, he and his team will keep you informed on any and all items that need to be addressed.

Because of Mr. Wolf, I can continue with my life and move forward. Thank you, Jeff Wolf, and everyone at the firm. If anyone I know ever needs a defense attorney, I will recommend the best in Colorado. Wolf Law.

— John