A man in South Dakota was recently charged with eluding an officer.  He was speeding at over 100 mph.  So, police attempted to pull the man over.  He did not immediately stop, and police were forced to use a nail strip.  Once the vehicle was no longer moving, the man leapt from the vehicle and made an attempt to run.  However, police caught him.  This is the most common type of eluding an officer crime that people think about.  But, there are other ways in which you can face charges on eluding an officer.

Eluding an Officer Crimes

If you attempt to elude an officer, the State must prove several elements before the charges can stick.  You must first be under pursuit, which can be in a vehicle or on foot.  Next, you must ignore the verbal or audible signs of an officer signaling you to stop.  These signs may include lights and sirens, or an officer ordering you to stop.  Any increase in speed, abrupt turning, or running is eluding an officer.

Penalties for Eluding

A first offense is a misdemeanor charge.  This means you will face fines and possible prison time as well.  The fines for this particular crime are anywhere from $100 to $2,000, depending on the severity of the eluding.  Second offenses, though, have higher penalties.  Fines for a second offense are now a minimum of $500 and can reach $5,000.  If at any time while you are eluding an officer you endanger or harm another person, your penalties become felonies.  This means that you will pay fines, face jail, and have a permanent criminal record.

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Tulsa County Criminal Defense Lawyers

Eluding an officer can often be a reaction, even if you are not doing anything wrong.  They can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances. Our Tulsa County criminal defense attorneys fight for you on this and most other criminal charges in Oklahoma.  To get a free consultation with an attorney at Tulsa County Lawyers Group, call us at 918-379-4864. Or if you want to ask an online legal question, follow this link.