According to Florida Statute 316.1935, fleeing to elude in Bradenton, Florida, means that a person failed to stop or pull over their vehicle after being ordered to do so by law enforcement.
You might be mistaken into thinking that the offense of fleeing to elude involves a high-speed car chase with the accused weaving in and out of traffic. This is not the case. Every day, people could face felony charges simply because a police officer’s call to “stop” was unclear. This means that even if a person was driving at normal or even low speeds, they could still face charges for the offense of fleeing to elude.
With the penalties of felony charges being so harsh, seeking strong legal representation can be vital in maintaining your future, freedom, and your right to a fair trial. At The Law Place, our Bradenton criminal defense lawyers treat every case with the same level of care and dedication. We know that no matter the charges you might be facing, you fight for a fair outcome at the end of your case.
If you are facing charges for fleeing to elude in Bradenton, Florida, then contact us now for a free consultation at (941) 444-4444.
How Is Fleeing to Elude Defined in Bradenton, Florida?
If you are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle on a street or highway and one of the circumstances listed below occurred, then you have committed the crime of fleeing to elude:
- The driver of the vehicle willfully failed or refused to stop or pullover after being ordered to do so by law enforcement.
- The driver willfully flees in their vehicle or on foot from a pursuing law enforcement officer.
- The driver initially stopped their vehicle but then wilfully drove away at high speed from law enforcement.
If any of the above circumstances have occurred, then the defendant will be facing a third-degree felony charge. If convicted, then you will face a mandatory 5-year suspension of your driver’s license and up to 5 years in prison.
What Are the Charges for Fleeing to Elude in Bradenton, Florida?
The most lenient charge you might face for fleeing to elude is a third-degree felony charge, which itself comes with very harsh penalties. There are other circumstances surrounding the offense of fleeing to elude that can raise the levels of charges you will face resulting in far more severe penalties.
Listed below are all the possible charges you might face for fleeing to elude in Bradenton, Florida, and the circumstances surrounding them.
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Third-Degree Felony Charge
If successfully convicted for this charge in Bradenton, Florida, you will face the following penalties.
- A mandatory 5-year suspension of your driver’s license.
- A $5,000 fine
- Up to 5 years in prison.
- After your prison time is served, you will be placed under a 5 year period of probation.
A stated in earlier sections of this article, you will face this charge if the basic circumstances of fleeing to elude have taken place.
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Second-Degree Felony
If successfully convicted of a second-degree felony charge in Bradenton, Florida, you will face the following penalties.
- A mandatory 5-year suspension of your driver’s license.
- A $10,000 fine.
- Up to 15 years in prison.
- After your prison time is served, you will be placed under a 15-year period of probation.
You will face these penalties if the basic circumstances of fleeing to elude have taken place and:
- You have been deemed to be displaying a blatant disregard for public safety or reckless driving.
- You are driving away from a clearly marked police vehicle with its lights and sirens activated.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
First-Degree Felony
If successfully convicted of a first-degree felony charge in Bradenton, Florida, you will face the following penalties.
- A mandatory 5-year suspension of your driver’s license.
- A $10,000 fine.
- Up to 30 years in prison.
- After your prison time is served, you will be placed under a 30-year period of probation.
You will face these penalties if the basic circumstances of fleeing to elude have taken place and:
- You are engaged in the act of reckless driving.
- Another driver suffers a serious bodily injury, or a member of the public suffers serious bodily injury.
It is also important to note that a felony charge will result in a criminal record along with the label of a felon. This can cripple your ability to gain future employment, and a felony charge cannot be expunged from your record or sealed. Therefore, this information is freely available to any potential employer.
Defenses for the Charge of Fleeing to Elude?
If, after a free consultation, you choose to move forward with legal representation from The Law Place, your case will be reviewed by a team of criminal defense lawyers with decades worth of experience within the practice areas of criminal law. After this, you will be assigned a highly skilled Florida criminal defense attorney.
Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate all of the evidence surrounding your charges, clearly advise you on where you stand in the face of these charges, and work with you to build the strongest defense possible.
Some of the most common defenses that your attorney may pursue have been listed below:
- Willfulness – Did you willfully elude law enforcement? For example, it may have been a misunderstanding on your part. It is also possible that you were forced by another party and could not stop. If these circumstances are true, then you can’t be held legally responsible.
- Intention – If you were too intoxicated to make the rational decision to stop at the time when law enforcement gave the order for you to stop, then you cannot be held legally responsible for the act of fleeing to elude. This is because you were impaired from making any rational decisions at the time of the alleged offense.
- Deficient evidence – Certain elements need to be proven to charge a suspect with the crime of fleeing to elude; if these elements cannot be proven with sufficient evidence, then you cannot be held legally responsible. For example, if a law enforcement officer is indistinguishable from a member of the public or if they are in an unmarked police vehicle.
Call The Law Place Now
Facing felony charges can be extremely stressful, and the severity of the penalties cannot be understated. But it’s important to remember that you have the right to a fair trial and to expect a fair outcome at the end of your case. This is where The Law Place can help.
Every case matters to us, and we are dedicated to fighting for your rights and will aggressively push to have charges dropped or reduced. Facing felony charges alone can be extremely stressful and chaotic, but with our representation, you will give yourself the best chance at building a strong defense and ensuring that your freedom and future are secure.
At The Law Place, our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so someone will always be available to answer your call, day or night. So, if you are facing charges for the crime of fleeing to elude in Bradenton, Florida, then call us now.
Contact us now for a free consultation at (941) 444-4444.
