Fleeing and Eluding
It’s easy to get lost in thought when driving. Your mind may wander to what you’d like to eat for dinner or to the list of things you need to get done. It’s possible to become so engulfed in your thoughts you don’t realize a police officer is signaling you to pull over.
Failing to comply with an officer when they signal you to pull over can result in charges for fleeing and eluding, also known as failure to comply. Fleeing and eluding is more serious than a traffic violation and will require the skills of an experienced defense attorney.
Columbus, OH Fleeing and Eluding Defense Lawyer
Joslyn Law Firm understands charges for fleeing and eluding often stem from miscommunication. Contact Joslyn Law Firm if you have been arrested or charged with fleeing and eluding in the Columbus area. Call to schedule a confidential consultation.
Joslyn Law Firm defends those accused of failure to comply in central Ohio counties including Pickaway County, Fairfield County, Licking County and more.
Information Center
- What is Considered Fleeing and Eluding?
- Penalties for Fleeing and Eluding in Ohio
- Additional Resources
What is Considered Fleeing and Eluding?
When an officer flashes their lights and signals you to stop, you are required to do so. Failing to stop will result in charges for fleeing and eluding. Even failing to comply with an officer directing traffic may result in charges for the crime. As the name implies, failure to comply involves failing to follow orders from a law enforcement officer while in a motor vehicle in an attempt to evade police.
Failure to comply can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances of your case. Fleeing and eluding is a felony if you are fleeing police after committing a felony crime. Robbing a house and then fleeing the scene in a car to escape police would be considered felony fleeing and eluding.
Failing to stop when an officer signals you to do so is considered misdemeanor fleeing and eluding. Simply speeding up when an officer is signaling you to pull over may constitute misdemeanor failure to comply.
Penalties for Fleeing and Eluding in Ohio
Fleeing and eluding entails more than time behind bars and expensive fines. You will have six points added to your driving record and face a lifetime license suspension depending on the classification of the charge.
Failing to stop in an attempt to evade law enforcement is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 and a license suspension ranging from six months to three years. You may be eligible for limited driving privileges when your license is suspended for misdemeanor fleeing and eluding. These privileges will allow you to drive to work, school and other necessary locations.
Failure to comply is a fourth-degree felony if you fled law enforcement in a vehicle after committing a felony crime. If convicted you could spend up to 18 months in prison, pay a fine costing up to $5,000 and have your license suspended for three years to life. Keep in mind this is on top of charges for the alleged felony crime you fled.
Felony fleeing and eluding will be elevated to a third-degree felony under the following circumstance:
- Your driving caused serious physical harm or property damage
- Your driving placed another person or property at risk for serious physical harm
The court will take various factors into account when determining how to penalize third-degree fleeing and eluding. Some of these factors include:
- Length and distance of the pursuit
- Speed during the pursuit
- Failure to stop at traffic lights or stop signs
- If the vehicle did not turn on lights when necessary
- Number of moving violations committed during the pursuit
A third-degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Your driver’s license will also be suspended for life.
Additional Recourses for Fleeing and Eluding
Failure to Comply | Ohio Revised Code – Follow the link provided to read through the section of the Revised Code over failure to comply. You can read the precise legal definition of the crime and find out what happens when you are charged with a crime alongside fleeing and eluding. The statute can be read on the Ohio Laws and Rules website.
Limited Driving Privileges | Ohio Revised Code – You can petition the court for limited driving privileges when your license is suspended for a misdemeanor offense. Visit the Ohio Laws and Rules website to find out when the privilege can be granted as well as required conditions.
Columbus, OH Fleeing and Eluding Defense Attorney
Were you arrested for failure to comply in addition to charges for OVI? If so, contact the Joslyn Law Firm. We will put our experience to work for you. Call to schedule a confidential consultation.
Joslyn Law Firm defends those accused of failure to comply in central Ohio counties such as Franklin County, Delaware County, Union County and Madison County.