Fleeing & Eluding Charges
Reckless driving doesn’t only mean driving while distracted or under the influence. A form of unsafe driving that many people don’t consider, fleeing or eluding, is the act of continuing to operate a vehicle even after a law enforcement officer has instructed you to stop.
Fleeing and eluding isn’t only dangerous for the perpetrator and the officer(s) attempting to apprehend them. It can also become dangerous to the general public by forcing officers to pursue the person responsible at high speeds.
If you have been pulled over for fleeing and eluding in the state of Florida, contact an Orlando defense attorney with the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A., and our team will work conscientiously to combat the charges and defend your rights.
Fleeing & Eluding Laws In Florida
In Florida, fleeing and eluding isn’t associated with only one degree of offense. It is instead separated into a series of offenses with escalating levels of punishment. Fleeing and eluding cases that may have more severe penalties associated include cases that cause serious bodily harm or death to another person.
Third-degree fleeing and eluding occurs when a driver knowingly refuses to stop after being ordered to by a law enforcement officer. This crime escalates to a second-degree felony when the driver begins to speed and/or show disregard for the welfare of people in the area. When fleeing and eluding leads to bodily injury or death of another person, it becomes a first-degree felony.
If you are charged with fleeing and eluding in the state of Florida, contact our Orlando attorneys for expert representation.
Common Defenses Against Florida’s Fleeing & Eluding Charges
At Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A., our attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and experience to provide a strong defense against your charges. Some common defenses in the face of fleeing and eluding charges include a driver’s lack of awareness that an officer was instructing them to stop, an officer attempting to pull the driver over in an unmarked vehicle, or a driver simply attempting to find a safe place to pull over rather than actually trying to flee.
Penalties For Fleeing & Eluding
Legal penalties for fleeing and eluding vary based on the degree of the offense. Basic fleeing and eluding, which is a third-degree felony, is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, up to 5 years of probation, or a fine of up to $5000.
When fleeing and eluding occurs at the second-degree felony level, it’s punishable by up to 15 years of prison, up to 5 years of probation, or a fine of up to $10,000.
A first-degree felony case of fleeing and eluding, which involves death or grievous injury to another person, is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, up to 30 years of probation, or a fine of up to $10,000. Fleeing and eluding as a first-degree felony also has a 3 year minimum prison sentence attached to it.
Additionally, those convicted of fleeing and eluding are subject to driver’s license revocation.
Defending Florida Drivers
The Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A. attorneys are proud to represent Central Florida drivers accused of fleeing and eluding. If you’ve been charged with fleeing and eluding, get in touch with our office today for a consultation. We’ll discuss your situation, answer your questions, and stay in your corner to fight the charges.
