Murfreesboro Evading Arrest Attorneys
Defending Against Charges of Evading Arrest in Tennessee Criminal Court
When police officers have the lawful right to detain or arrest you, it is important that you cooperate. If you try to avoid an arrest, you can face additional criminal allegations of evading arrest. In some situations, police officers might accuse you of trying to evade arrest when you, in fact, did nothing wrong. In either situation, it is important to have the representation of a Murfreesboro evading arrest defense lawyer right away to help with your criminal case. Call Taylor Law Group right away.
Evading Arrest Charges in Tennessee
Evading Arrest (misdemeanor)
This charge applies when someone is accused of the following:
- Intentionally fleeing from an individual known to be a law enforcement officer
- Knowing the officer has lawfully arrested them or is trying to do so
This charge applies when the evasion happens on foot by someone quite literally running away from an officer who is trying to make a lawful arrest. This is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, and a conviction can mean up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, as well as fines of $2,500.
Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle (felony)
If someone is driving a car while evading an officer, the charge can be escalated to a felony. The driver must have received a clear signal that the police officer wanted them to stop their vehicle and, instead of stopping, tried to flee by driving away. This is a Class E felony charge, and penalties for a conviction include 30 days to six years of incarceration and fines of $3,000.
If a person who tries to evade police in a vehicle puts the safety of innocent bystanders at risk, the charge can be raised to a Class D felony, which can mean 60 days to 12 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
Defending Against Your Evading Arrest Charges
There are ways that an experienced attorney can defend against evading an officer charges, and the defenses that apply to your case will depend on the circumstances of the arrest or attempted arrest. Some defenses include:
- The arrest was not lawful
- You did not know the individual was an officer or they were trying to stop/arrest you
- You did not intend to flee
- The officer made false allegations
Most people facing this charge are also facing charges for the suspected offense that led to the arrest, so you need a lawyer who can defend against all relevant charges.
Contact Our Murfreesboro Evading Arrest Defense Lawyers Right Away
If you've been charged with a crime, do not wait to contact Taylor Law Group. We can protect your rights during the criminal process, so please call 615- 890-1982 or contact us online today.