The offense of Third-Degree Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle involves knowingly refusing to stop when signaled by a cop to do so during a traffic stop.
Fleeing police in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
The Elements of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Vehicle in the Third DegreeTo convict someone of a crime, the prosecution must establish every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt in court. The elements of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree are:
In this context, reckless driving refers to driving in a manner that unreasonably interferes with the others’ use of the road or places other roadusers at an unreasonable risk of harm.
Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree ExamplesBelow are examples of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree:
Frequently, prosecutors pursue charges of Third-Degree Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle against drivers, along with various related offenses, such as:
Numerous defenses exist for unlawfully fleeing a police officer that can either lessen your potential sentencing or lead to the prosecution dropping the case against you, or the jury delivering a verdict of "not guilty."
The following could be complete or partial defenses to fleeing police:
Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree is a Class A misdemeanor. In New York, Class A misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail, a probationary sentence of up to three years, and a fine of up to $1,000.
Speak With a Skilled New York Traffic Lawyer to Discuss Your DefenseIf you’ve been charged with fleeing police in a motor vehicle, it is important that you familiarize yourself with what you’re facing before deciding how to proceed with your case. For example, you may have a defense that could spare you a criminal conviction on your record. At the law firm of Tilem & Associates, P.C., our dedicated New York traffic violations attorneys have extensive experience helping to keep our clients out of jail and on the road, and we look forward to discussing how we can help in your case. We're ready to meet with you right away to begin crafting a strong defense against the charges you're facing. To find out more and schedule a complimentary consultation today, please call 877-377-8666. You can also reach us by completing our online contact form.