The Consequences of Evading the Police in Indiana
If you’re afraid police may be trying to stop or arrest you, it’s natural to feel scared. However, if you react to this threat in certain ways, you can face additional criminal charges. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you handle a criminal charge in a way that does not subject you to further criminal charges or penalties. The knowledgeable and experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer from The Criminal Defense Team can help guide you through this process and safeguard your rights.
What Is Evading the Police?
Evading the police involves trying to escape the police or avoid being arrested by them. Many acts can constitute evasion, including:
- Running by foot away from a police officer
- Driving away in your vehicle
- Trying to leave the state to avoid prosecution
- Hiding from law enforcement
- Resisting arrest
- Concealing your identity
Evasion can result in a separate criminal charge that can result in jail time and fines. The potential consequences will depend on various factors, such as how you evaded the police, your previous criminal history, and whether any harm occurred due to your evasion.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Evasion
In Indiana, evading the police can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Felony offenses can arise when your actions are extremely serious, aggravating factors are present, or you caused harm by your actions. Aggravating factors that can elevate your evasion charge to a felony include:
- Police chases were involved – You were involved in a high-speed police chase, especially if other people’s lives were endangered or you caused an accident.
- Your actions put others in danger – You could face felony charges for evading the police if your actions endangered others, such as setting fire to a building to distract police so you could escape.
- Injury or death ensued – Someone was seriously injured or killed during your evasion. The level of the felony charge depends on the severity of the injuries the victim sustained.
- Property damage occurred – You caused property damage, such as causing an accident or hitting objects while driving away.
- Weapons or firearms were involved – You used a firearm or other weapon when trying to evade police.
- You have previous convictions – If you have previous convictions of evading the police, you might be charged with a felony offense now.
A conviction of felony evasion charges can result in significant jail time and expensive fines, the severity of which depends on the level of the felony and the circumstances.
Most cases of evading the police are charged as a Class A misdemeanor. These charges may result when the circumstances involving the alleged evasion were not severe or extremely dangerous. For example, you may have run away without causing injuries or property damage, and you didn’t use a weapon. A Class A misdemeanor is generally punished by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. However, prior criminal convictions or other factors can enhance penalties.
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
If you are facing arrest, you can best protect your rights and safeguard your future by contacting an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The Criminal Defense Team can help you surrender, explain the charges against you, and defend your rights. Call (317) 687-8326 for a free case review.