Fleeing and Eluding a law enforcement officer

Fleeing and Eluding a law enforcement officer

Fleeing and Eluding a law enforcement officer

 

In the state of Florida, you’re looking at a felony charge if you attempt to flee or elude law enforcement. Typically, an individual would be charged with a third-degree felony and won’t have that charge removed in the future. Because of the seriousness of this matter, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side if you’re being charged with this crime. Depending on the case, a knowledgeable attorney could help reduce the charges brought against an individual. 

There is never a good reason to work alone in a matter like this. There are a number of great attorneys just a click away who have helped countless individuals through the process. 

What is Fleeing and Eluding?

When looking at Florida laws, an individual has committed this crime if the following has taken place:

  • Operating a vehicle on a highway or street
  • The driver has been ordered to stop or remain stopped by an authorized law enforcement officer
  • The driver has to be aware they’ve been ordered to stop
  • The driver intentionally failed to comply with the orders or stopped and then attempted to flee the officer(s).

There are circumstances in which fleeing or eluding is a more severe charge and thus warrants heavier punishment for those actions. Situations where committing this crime involves bodily injury or death, reckless and high-speed driving, or avoiding law enforcement while lights and sirens are active all contribute to different levels of consequences for this crime. 

Can I Defend Fleeing and Eluding Charges?

The short answer is yes. While being convicted of this crime is serious and can change your life forever if convicted, there are options to fight the charge. Having a defense attorney with years of experience and success is key to helping navigate this process. Whether or not you’ve been found guilty can sit on the prosecutor’s ability to prove beyond a doubt that you were aware of the crime being committed and thus relies on the defense to put together a strong case in the matter. Remember, the state has to prove every element of a crime for you to be found guilty. Let an expert help you defend your case.

What Penalties Come from Fleeing and Eluding?

Because we’re talking about a felony charge, the penalties are much more severe than that of a misdemeanor. In Orlando and Central Florida, the following are some of the penalties that don’t include a charge with aggravating factors:

  • Up to 5 years in prison
  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Up to 5 years on probation
  • Suspension of driver’s license between 1-5 years.

Contact an Experienced Fleeing and Eluding Attorney in Florida Today 

Obviously, these penalties get progressively more severe with crimes that involve any aggravating factors. If you’ve been convicted of a crime for attempting to flee or elude law enforcement, don’t wait to consult a Florida defense attorney who truly knows the system and comes from years of experience working with individuals in similar situations. Contact the Umansky Law Firm today to learn about your options. Call us at (407) 228-3838 or fill out our contact form.

Fleeing and Eluding a law enforcement officer
756
18.209.66.87