A criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale understands that when you are stopped for a traffic violation, you may be nervous.   You may even try to get away because you are afraid that law enforcement may find something illegal in your vehicle.   However, if you try to escape while law enforcement is ordering you to stop, a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale can explain that you may quickly be facing serious felony charges.    

Legal Authority to Stop

Law enforcement officers have the legal authority to stop a vehicle if they reasonably believe that the motorist violated a law.   Florida law specifically requires motorists to stop their vehicle upon signal by law enforcement.

Types of Charges for Fleeing a Police Officer

There are a number of different types of charges related to fleeing a police officer.   They each carry a different type of possible sentence, too.   The main charges include:

• Fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens activated while driving at a high rate of speed or driving in a reckless fashion that results in serious bodily injury or death.  This crime is considered a first degree felony.
• Fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens activated while driving at a high rate of speed or diving in a reckless fashion without a subsequent injury or death.  This is considered a second degree felony.
• Fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens activated only.  This is considered a third degree felony.

These charges can be imposed in addition to any other charge based on the initial reason why the law enforcement officer stopped you.

Potential Penalties

This crime alone can result in imprisonment up to five years, five years of probation, suspension of driving privileges and a fine up to $5,000.