Charges for Fleeing Police in Atlanta

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All drivers are required by law to abide by a police officer’s orders. When an officer of the law gives a verbal, visual, or audio sign or signal to stop the vehicle, you must do so. These signs and signals can include sirens, hand gestures, whistles, emergency lights, or verbal instructions. If you do not stop your vehicle at the request of an officer, but rather continue to drive with the intent to avoid or evade the officer, you will be charged with fleeing police. You can also be charged with fleeing police by foot.

Penalties for Fleeing Police

People who flee police are not only breaking the law by ignoring a police order, but they are also endangering innocent lives by creating dangerous and unsafe conditions on public roads and highways. Any driver or pedestrian who willingly flees from a police officer will be arrested on criminal charges and subjected to prosecution. If you are convicted of the charges, you will be sentenced to up to one year in jail, fines up to $1,000, and three years probation. You may also lose your right to drive and be required to perform community service.

If in the course of fleeing from police you cause an accident that results in serious property damage, injury, or death, you will face a sentence enhancement, which usually means more time in jail, larger fines, more hours of community service, and longer suspension of your driver’ s license.

Protecting Your Rights

As long as a police officer is dressed in police uniform or is driving in a vehicle properly marked as a police vehicle, you must abide by his or her orders. Failure to do so will result in criminal charges. If you have been charged with fleeing police, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced criminal defender. Atlanta defense attorney Matthew T. McNally can provide you with the aggressive defense you need to take on the prosecution. The prosecution is going to do everything in their power to make sure you are found guilty. Mr. McNally can put up a tough defense, and aggressively fight the charges brought against you. Above all, Mr. McNally’s top priority is providing you with the exceptional level of attention, dedication, and representation you need to avoid a criminal conviction!