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Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement

Evading The Police

These days, news stories about police brutality and police shootings of unarmed people permeate our tv screens and radio stations. Fear of the police is no longer a topic kept under wraps, but it has become a subject of everyday life. These increased tensions between the public and law enforcement have also resulted in people being charged with criminal offenses. As law enforcement has the obvious power to arrest and charge people with crimes, this tension can certainly be one sided. If you have found yourself on the wrong side of an interaction with police, it is in your best interest to contact a skilled St. Petersburg criminal lawyer to build your defense.

One of the crimes often charged as a result of this growing tension between the public and the police is Fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer. Upon reading the title of the criminal charge, it is easy to envision a fugitive engaging law enforcement in a high speed chase followed by a news helicopter. But, as is true with many criminal offenses, laws can be more vague than they initially appear. The crime of fleeing or eluding encompasses a huge amount of factual scenarios.

What is Fleeing or Eluding

Florida Statute 316.1935 states that “it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle, having knowledge that he or she has been ordered to stop such vehicle by a duly authorized law enforcement officer, willfully to refuse or fail to stop the vehicle in compliance with such order or, having stopped in knowing compliance with such order, willfully to flee in an attempt to elude the officer.” A violation under this set of facts is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison, along with hefty fines and probation.

The fleeing and eluding statute punishes offenses for different circumstances. For example, if you are charged with fleeing from a law enforcement officer, and at the time of the attempted stop the officer had lights and sirens activated, the offense is also considered a third degree felony. However, if during the course of fleeing, the accused drives “at a high speed,” the offense may be upgraded to a second degree felony punishable by up to fifteen years prison or probation.

While the state may be justified in upgrading the levels of certain offenses based on the facts of the case, the fact that a high speed is required to enhance a charge of fleeing or eluding brings up an interesting point. Because the high speed is an enhancement, it is clear that you may be charged with the base offense of fleeing and eluding even if you are driving at an extremely slow speed. This fact flies in the face of the traditional notion that fleeing and eluding involves a high speed chase. The truth is that an officer can charge someone with fleeing even in situations where the parties are moving at a slow speed if they don’t immediately pull over. Because of the vague nature of the law, it is all the more important that you consult with an experienced St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer if you are charged with fleeing or eluding.

Fleeing or eluding has one other caveat that makes consulting with an attorney all the more critical. If you are found guilty at trial or by a plea of fleeing or eluding, the court is required to convict you and may not withhold adjudication. This means that if you are unable to get your charges reduced or dropped, you face the prospect of becoming a convicted felon with a permanent record.

Speak to an Attorney Today

The lawyers at Hanlon Law have the skill and experience necessary to defend you on the charges of fleeing or eluding. Because of the vague law and the harsh penalties, speaking with a skilled St. Petersburg criminal lawyer can make all the difference to your case. Call us today at 727.289.0222.

Client Reviews
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As a practicing attorney, I was shocked to hear that a family member of mine was alleged to have committed a sex crime. Knowing full well the consequences this type of allegation can have on anyone and their future, I immediately reached out to William Hanlon for help. I had every confidence that Mr. Hanlon had the knowledge, expertise, and experience to handle this problem. Approximately 4 weeks from an initial conference with Mr. Hanlon, we received a call with the news that a letter of release was being issued and the case was being dropped. Now my family member can finally exhale, take a deep breath, and go on with his life. Thank you, William! Jerry
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Was on the ball. Remembered names, events, places, situations. Never need to re explain the situation. Keeps in touch through out the entire experience and keeps you feeling safe, comforted and protected. Fights hard. Worth every single penny. Would never settle for anything less than Will. Carrie
★★★★★
I was facing a charge that if convicted would carry two years in prison minimally. Not only was he empathetic and listening to what I had to say but he arranged with the prosecutor for my charges not to be filed under terms of a pre trial investigation. Would highly recommend. Alec
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I am very happy for what he did for me. Always there when I needed him. Explained everything well. He Fights for his clients. He got me what I needed. Hes an excellent lawyer. Mutaz
★★★★★
Mr. Hanlon did what no other lawyer could do. Not only did he turn my criminal history into a thing of the past so I could move on, he was a loyal associate. No matter how bad the situation is, he has miraculously cleared me on every charge since he became my lawyer 5 years ago. I have the best lawyer that the legal system has to offer. I have had other really good lawyers try to get my business, but I know that no one can do a better job than William Hanlon. Jesse