Before someone can be convicted of the crime of aggravated fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, the prosecutor must prove the following four things beyond a reasonable doubt:
In the case of Steil v. State of Florida, the arresting officer testified at trial that while he had arrested Mr. Steil for reckless driving, he had not actually clocked his speed. Nor did the officer observe any other traffic affected by Steil's driving. On appeal, Steil argued that the trial judge should have found him not guilty of aggravated fleeing and eluding because he was not driving at a “high speed” nor was he driving with a “wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
The court of appeals noted that the crime of aggravated fleeing requires that the pursuing officer have his lights and sirens on; however, in this particular case the officer testified that he did not have them on during most of the pursuit. The appellate court therefore ruled that the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence of “high speed” or “wanton disregard” during the time that the lights and siren were activated on the patrol car to support Steil's conviction for aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Call Now: (561) 832-4348
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your questions or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Please type your message below and we will get back to you asap.
* Required Fields
Your Information Is Safe With Us
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
It’s the middle of the night in West Palm Beach. Your phone rings, and the last thing you expect to hear is that your loved one has been arrested. At the jail, you’re told the bond amount set by the county schedule. For most families, coming up with the full cash bail is nearly impossible. […]
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Criminal defense attorney Ronald S. Chapman draws attention to Florida’s new House Bill 351, effective July 1, 2025. This legislation creates a criminal offense, a second-degree misdemeanor, for driving either 50+ MPH over the speed limit or at 100+ MPH in a manner that endangers others, even absent a collision. Basic Provisions of HB 351 […]
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — In the wake of a devastating and preventable tragedy, Ronald S. Chapman, P.A. speaks out about the high stakes surrounding House Bill 687, also known as “Trenton’s Law,” which seeks to increase penalties for repeat offenders of vehicular homicide (VH) and DUI manslaughter (DUIM). This important legislation, which takes effect on October 1, 2025, […]
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
