Eluding a police officer in Oklahoma and other states is glamorized in movies. But it is never so rosy in real life when a law enforcement officer gives a clear and visible sign to you to stop, but you willfully flee. If you happen to get away far enough from the officer who first stopped you, they could send out an alert. All law enforcement officers on duty in the area become aware that you are fleeing and look out for you.
A police officer does not have to use lights and a siren to give you notice that you need to pull over. A law enforcement officer could alert a driver that they should pull over by use of a bull horn, siren, flashing lights, or honking. The statute that describes the offense of eluding a police officer requires that the law enforcement officer gives sufficient notice that a motorist is supposed to pull over.
Eluding a police officer can lead to charges against you for which you could serve prison time. Also, endangering another person while eluding a police officer is a felony in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What Is Eluding A Police Officer In Oklahoma?
A motorist is said to have eluded a police officer when they receive a signal from a law enforcement officer to pull over, but accelerates or turns off their lights in a blatant attempt to flee.
If a motorist flees from a police officer in a way that is risky to others, the escaping driver may face charges of endangering another person while eluding a police officer in Oklahoma.
A motorist faces severe charges if, as they flee, they cause an accident that causes serious bodily harm to another person.
Elements Of The Crime
The state must prove the following elements of the crime beyond a shadow of a doubt to obtain a conviction.
- A person operating a motor vehicle
- was stopped by a peace officer or a game ranger, as per the requirements of the law
- and knowing the officer’s or game ranger’s vehicle to be an official vehicle directing the driver to pull over
- willfully eluded the law enforcement officer by accelerating or turning off their lights and
- while avoiding or attempting to evade law enforcement
- caused an accident
- that resulted in great bodily harm to another person
OR
- the driver endangered another person.
Great bodily harm refers to bodily injury that creates a real risk of death or that causes severe or permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any of the victim’s body organs.
OUJI-CR 6-30
Penalties For Endangering Another Person While Eluding A Police Officer In Oklahoma
If you endanger another person while you flee a law enforcement officer, you face stiff penalties if convicted.
You could spend between one and five years in prison, pay a fine between $1,000 and $5,000, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 540A
If you cause actual bodily harm while eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, you could spend one to five years in prison, pay a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
If you are facing charges of endangering another person while fleeing a police officer, you must talk to a Tulsa criminal attorney immediately. Do not talk to the prosecution before you get legal representation.
Only an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer knows the law well and can advise you on what is the best course of action in your case. Find out your options by talking to a Tulsa criminal defense attorney today.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Felony Defense Lawyer
When you are facing charges of any kind, it is always better to do it with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Options are available to you. Call for a free consultation with an experienced Tulsa felony defense lawyer to discuss your available legal options.
Call the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm at 918-756-9600.
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