What are some possible punishments that a person can face being charged with resisting arrest

If you were "charged" with resisting, then you were "arrested". Many people associate the term "arrested" with going to jail. This isn't always the case. If you were detained for a criminal investigation and subsequently charged with a criminal offense, many times that is considered arrested. In lieu of going to jail, you receive a "Notice Of Appearance" requiring you to appear in court. It will go down on your criminal record unless you later have the incident sealed. Of course the issue of whether or not you actaully resisted and can be convicted of this charge is a different question. It is likely you will need to set up a court date. Contact a lawyer in your area to review your file.

In California, Penal Code Section 148 is a misdemeanor. The maximum punishment is six months in jail. Penal Code Section 69 is a felony, and can be punished by up to a year in jail or up to three years in prison. It is very rare for a first time offender to receive the maximum sentence. Only an experienced local criminal defense lawyer who has reviewed your file and is familiar with your local courts and prosecutors can help you determine if any defense applies or if any specific plea bargain is acceptable. If you cannot afford an attorney, you have the right to a public defender when you get to court.