Failing to pull over when police signal you to do so can lead to eluding charges in Adams County, Colorado. A driver can also face more severe charges in the form of vehicular eluding if they know they’re being followed by law enforcement and drive recklessly as they try to avoid the pursuit. It’s best to drive your vehicle to a safe pull-off location to avoid impactful criminal charges when being followed by police. If you’re facing an allegation of eluding or vehicular eluding in Colorado, consult one of our strategic traffic attorneys as soon as possible.
Adams County Eluding Laws
Adams County’s eluding laws prohibit evading officers in marked or unmarked vehicles. C.R.S. 42-4-1413 and C.R.S. 18-9-116.5 define violations throughout Colorado. You commit eluding in Thornton, Brighton, or Commerce City if:
- a police officer in a marked vehicle signals you to pull over,
- AND you willfully attempt to elude by speeding, turning your lights off, or other conduct
Evading law enforcement in Adams County turns to the more serious charge of vehicular eluding if:
- you know an officer is in pursuit of your vehicle,
- you attempt to elude,
- AND you drive recklessly
Highspeed chases often result in a vehicular eluding charge as the risk of danger to others is substantial.
How Much Time Can You Get for Eluding in Colorado?
While each eluding case is different, specific sentencing parameters exist for conviction. Eluding is a class 2 misdemeanor. Possible penalties include:
- up to 3 months in county jail,
- a maximum fine of $300
However, vehicular eluding ranges from a class 5 felony to a class 2 felony depending on if / how badly someone is injured. Conviction in these cases can result in:
- 1 – 24 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections,
- a minimum fine of $2,000
Defense Attorney for Eluding Charges in Colorado
With so much on the line, skilled representation is a must in cases of eluding and vehicular eluding in Colorado. Your future is in jeopardy if police are accusing you of evading their pursuit in your vehicle. It is essential that defendants not panic, exercise their right to remain silent, and call an experienced traffic attorney. Perhaps the officer didn’t signal you to pull over, you weren’t attempting to elude, or your driving wasn’t reckless. Nevertheless, contact our office today for a free consultation. We offer same-day jail visits, affordable fees, and flexible payment plans for those facing criminal charges in Colorado.
If you or someone you know is being accused of eluding police, the time to act is now. Contact the results-driven defense attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Eric Brehm