Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer

Get The Legal Help You Need
Schedule an Appointment

Before someone can be convicted of the crime of aggravated fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, the prosecutor must prove the following four things beyond a reasonable doubt:

  1. The accused person was operating a vehicle upon a street or highway in Florida;
  2. The accused, knowing he had been directed to stop by a duly authorized law enforcement officer, either
    a.
    willfully refused or failed to stop the vehicle in compliance with the order; or
    b. having stopped the vehicle, willfully fled in a vehicle in an attempt to elude the officer;
  3. The law enforcement officer was in an authorized law enforcement patrol vehicle with agency insignia and other jurisdictional markings prominently displayed on the vehicle and with siren and lights activated; and
  4. During the course of the fleeing or the attempt to elude, the accused drove at high speed or in any manner demonstrating a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

In the case of Steil v. State of Florida, the arresting officer testified at trial that while he had arrested Mr. Steil for reckless driving, he had not actually clocked his speed. Nor did the officer observe any other traffic affected by Steil's driving. On appeal, Steil argued that the trial judge should have found him not guilty of aggravated fleeing and eluding because he was not driving at a “high speed” nor was he driving with a “wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”

The court of appeals noted that the crime of aggravated fleeing requires that the pursuing officer have his lights and sirens on; however, in this particular case the officer testified that he did not have them on during most of the pursuit. The appellate court therefore ruled that the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence of “high speed” or “wanton disregard” during the time that the lights and siren were activated on the patrol car to support Steil's conviction for aggravated fleeing and eluding.

ASK A QUESTION,
DESCRIBE YOUR SITUATION,
REQUEST A CONSULTATION

Call Now: (561) 832-4348

* Required Fields
Your Information Is Safe With Us

We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your questions or to schedule an appointment if requested.

WHY CHOOSE RONALD S. CHAPMAN, P.A.?

Investigate the prosecutor’s case against you.
Speak with your witnesses.
Present legal motions to the judge.
Investigate your defenses.
Represent you at your trial.
Try to get the best possible result for you.
  • Over 30 Years of Experience – Ronald S. Chapman has represented clients facing both state and federal charges since 1990, and he has had more than 200 trials.
  • Numerous 5-star Reviews – Our West Palm Beach law firm has accumulated five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, Lawyers.com, Avvo, and other sites.
  • Sole Practitioner– As a sole practitioner, Ronald S. Chapman works directly with each client he serves instead of handing them off to staff members.
  • Represents Clients in State and Federal Court – While some West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers handle only state charges or federal charges, Ronald S. Chapman handles both types of charges ranging from state-level assault charges to federal-level drug trafficking and white-collar crimes.
  • Bilingual Legal Services – Ronald S. Chapman provides legal services in English and Spanish, so you won’t have any trouble communicating with him.

Professional Associations

Contact Us

Please type your message below and we will get back to you asap.

* Required Fields

Your Information Is Safe With Us

We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.

Real Clients, Real Testimonials

My name is Ana C. and as many Latinos, I was taken to Court for something that did not happen. At that moment I felt powerless to have the strength of defending myself from the psychological abuse which I was subjected to, but thank God I was recommended to Attorney Ron Chapman who reached an agreement to represent me. He immediately gave me confidence that he could help me without any problem for this unfortunate situation so my case was processed in Court having the satisfaction that Attorney Chapman and his Assistant Elizabeth with his knowledge and ability managed to win the case. Therefore I am very glad that I hired him.
Sincerely Ana C.

Recent Blogs/News

Charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance? A Palm Beach County Drug Charge Defense Attorney Answers FAQs

You're reading this article because you've been charged with possession of a controlled substance and are concerned about the consequences. Though there is reason to be concerned about potential fines and jail time, understanding the charges and penalties and knowing your rights can help you make informed decisions and ease some of your stress and […]

Florida Arson Penalties

If you face an arson charge in Florida, you have reason for concern. Because arson is considered a serious crime, the consequences if convicted of such an offense are quite severe. These consequences can include a prison sentence, a fine, or both, not to mention the collateral damage to other areas of your life. With […]

New Law Offers Floridians on Probation Opportunities to Shorten Probation Term

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – In 1841, John Augustus, a Boston bootmaker, posted bail for a man who would have otherwise received a jail sentence, took him under his wing, and later convinced the judge that the man was rehabilitated and should remain free. Little did Augustus realize that it was the beginning of an […]

400 Clematis St. Suite 206, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Questions or Schedule An Appointment? Click to Call (561) 832-4348
Leave Us a Review
Read Our Reviews
© Copyrights 2022. Florida Criminal Lawyer. All Rights Reserved.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

footer-logo
Follow Us
Since 1990, Mr. Chapman has been representing people who have been accused of committing various types of crimes such as DUI, domestic violence, possession of a firearm, drug possession, expungement, traffic crimes, murder, manslaughter, crimes against children, sex crimes, crimes against the elderly, appeals, and violations of probation.
Chapman Criminal Defense Firm in West Palm Beach, FL
© Copyrights 2023. Florida Criminal Lawyer. All Rights Reserved.
POWERED BY LAW FIRM MARKETING PROS
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.