In Fort Myers, fleeing and eluding law enforcement is a criminal offense. Eluding a law enforcement officer in Fort Myers means a person has fled from a police officer’s order to stop. An example would be if a person willingly drives away from a law enforcement officer, or when a person continues to drive for several miles without stopping before being pulled over.
Fleeing to elude can lead to felony charges and quite harsh penalties if you are convicted. Florida Statute 316.1935 defines fleeing to elude as a driver refusing to stop after being ordered by a police officer whilst behind the wheel of a car, motorcycle, truck, pickup truck, or any other type of motor vehicle. Fleeing to elude is also enforceable if the driver of a vehicle complies with the orders to stop but then flees later. This is considered a wilful attempt to elude.
At The Law Place, our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so someone will always be there to answer your call day or night. If you are facing charges for fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer in Fort Myers, call now for a free consultation with one of our Fort Myers criminal defense lawyers on (941) 444-4444.
What Are the Charges for Fleeing to Elude?
Fleeing to elude is a third-degree felony and can result in five years in prison. But several other factors may result in a first-degree felony charge, which comes with a sentence of up to fifteen years in prison. With this taken into account, the severity of your case becomes all too clear.
The charges that you may face in accordance with Florida Statute 316.1935:
- The act of fleeing to elude can result in an up to five-year prison sentence.
- If convicted of fleeing to elude, you face a mandatory suspension of your driver’s license, ranging from one up to five years.
- If you are speeding away from a clearly marked police vehicle with its lights and sirens activated, and you have been deemed to be displaying a disregard for public safety, this is considered to be a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
- If the circumstances listed above have occurred and a member of the public or another driver suffers a serious bodily injury during your attempt at fleeing, this is then considered a first-degree felony. This is punishable by up to thirty years in prison and a mandatory three-year prison sentence.
As shown above, fleeing and eluding law enforcement comes with serious criminal charges. These can put both your personal and professional reputation in jeopardy and are a serious threat to your future and your freedom. A felony charge can affect you for the rest of your life, which is why seeking a strong legal counsel is so important.
What Can The Law Place Do for You?
The Law place will assign you a skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney who will challenge the evidence and raise important questions with the prosecution, in order to cast doubt on the case against you. Establishing the circumstances of the alleged crime is important to building a strong case. When facing a crime like fleeing to elude in Fort Myers, it’s vital that the factors listed below are considered:
Willfulness
If the act of evading was not a willful action on your part, e.g., if it was due to a misunderstanding, inattention, or you were forcefully prevented from obeying the order to stop, then you cannot be held legally responsible for fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer.
Intention
If you never intended to evade a law enforcement officer, then you cannot be held legally responsible for the act. This also stands if you were too intoxicated to make a rational decision at the time law enforcement attempted to stop you. However, DUI would then come into question.
Deficient Evidence
If there is not sufficient evidence to support the charge of fleeing and eluding, then you cannot be held responsible, as there are specific elements that need to be proved. A good example of this is when the law enforcement officer is not clearly distinguishable as law enforcement or if they are in an unmarked police vehicle.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Call The Law Place Now
Facing any kind of criminal charges can put you under a great deal of stress. When both your future and freedom are on the line, it’s vital that you have the guidance of an experienced law firm.
At The Law Place, your case matters to us. Our lawyers are dedicated to bringing you their high levels of experience and skill in navigating the complex legal system to make your legal journey as smooth as possible. If you require legal representation, then call The Law Place today. After a free consultation, you will be assigned a highly skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer. We will work to build a strong attorney-client relationship and construct you the strongest case possible to secure your freedom.
At The Law Place, our phones are answered 24/7, so someone will always be there to answer your call. If you are facing charges for fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer in Fort Myers, call now for a free consultation on (941) 444-4444.
