Fleeing is one of the most unique crimes in Georgia, so it should always be defended by a skilled criminal attorney. It can be treated as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the factual allegations. As a unique crime, the punishments are also specific. Rather than fighting alone to protect your rights, let a Newnan fleeing and eluding lawyer assist you through the process.
Someone commits the offense of fleeing or attempting to elude police officers if they fail to bring their vehicle to a stop in an attempt to get away from a police vehicle that’s chasing them. However, this applies only if the police vehicle is giving some visual or audible instruction to stop. The officer also has to be in uniform displaying his or her badge, and the vehicle must be marked showing it to be a police vehicle. If you were arrested for fleeing and eluding when none of these signs were present, an aggressive attorney in Newnan can help you fight the charges.
Misdemeanor fleeing is punishable as a high and aggravated misdemeanor. Someone convicted of misdemeanor fleeing can receive up to 12 months in county jail and a $5,000 fine. There are, however, certain situations where fleeing can be a felony.
To be arrested for felony fleeing, someone must do the things listed above. Additionally, however, they must also commit one of the following aggravating factors:
Felony fleeing and eluding in Newnan can lead to severe penalties, but a lawyer could help you defend yourself and provide evidence to help your case.
If someone is convicted of felony fleeing, the punishments can be stiff. Most crimes can be probated meaning that someone can get, for instance, five years of probation for a crime or something similar. Felony fleeing, however, is unique. The sentence cannot be probated, or suspended, or anything of the sorts. So there are only six possible outcomes if convicted of felony fleeing in Georgia.
This makes felony fleeing one of the most difficult charges to negotiate with prosecutors because there are only six possible outcomes. And the “lightest” of the sentence is a $5,000 fine–which is no small amount of money.
Additionally, many local prosecutors refuse to consider these fines so it becomes necessary to present evidence to a judge and ask for the “lighter” sentences if a plea is determined to be the best possible outcome.
If you or a loved one has been charged with fleeing, contact us today so that we can help you. These are charges that you do not want to fight by yourself. Call us or text us 24/7 and a Newnan fleeing and eluding lawyer will discuss your case with you.
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
