Vehicular eluding is a traffic crime in Adams County, Colorado that involves intentionally evading police in a car, truck, or van. Lawmakers see these actions as an extreme risk to others and punish the offense accordingly. Sometimes this crime involves drunk drivers with compromised decision making abilities speeding or weaving in and out of traffic. Just last week, an elementary school principal was arrested after her SUV crashed into a guardrail following a 110 mph chase while intoxicated. Any allegations of avoiding police in a car require contacting an experienced vehicular eluding lawyer right away.
Adams County Vehicular Eluding Law
Adams County’s vehicular eluding law prohibits driving to evade police and putting others in danger. C.R.S. 18-9-116.5 defines the specific elements of vehicular eluding throughout Colorado. You commit this traffic offense in Thornton, Brighton, or Commerce City if you:
- are aware you’re being pursued by police,
- elude or attempt to elude the officer,
- AND your driving is reckless
A highspeed chase is a common example of vehicular eluding on I-25 or I-70. Drivers in these situations usually know they’re being followed, but attempt to outrun or dodge the police to avoid arrest. When speeding is involved, the element of reckless driving is more evident. Coupled with driving under the influence, a defendant can face several different impactful charges at once.
Is Vehicular Eluding Always a Felony in Colorado?
Vehicular eluding is a felony throughout Colorado’s many counties. Eluding is a misdemeanor offense that only involves officers in marked vehicles signaling a driver to pull over, followed by the driver failing to do so. These situations don’t involve any reckless driving.
Consequences for conviction of felony eluding in Adams County depend largely on injury to others. If someone is injured or dies due to a defendant’s vehicular eluding, penalties rise quickly. 1 – 24 years in prison and a minimum fine of $2,000 are possible ramifications at sentencing.
Thornton Vehicular Eluding Lawyer
Evading police in your car can lead to especially costly penalties. Whatever the situation, it’s always best to find a safe place to pull over and stop your vehicle. However, if you’re facing an accusation of eluding cops, exercise your right to remain silent and contact a skilled criminal defense attorney. Perhaps you didn’t know you were being followed, you weren’t attempting to elude the police, or reckless driving doesn’t apply. Nevertheless, contact our lawyers today for a free consultation. We will carefully look over your case and recommend next steps, all while prioritizing your best possible outcome.
If you or someone you know is navigating a vehicular eluding charge, be smart. Contact the determined criminal lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Jason Hafso