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Criminal charges

evading arrest or detention

A person commits a criminal offense (crime) if they intentionally flee from a person they know or should know is a peace officer or federal special investigator attempting to lawfully arrest or detain them. A person will be subject to higher penalties if they use a motor vehicle or watercraft while evading arrest or detention, or cause injury to another person. This criminal offense is also known as “fleeing and eluding.”

In Maryland, fleeing and eluding law enforcement is a criminal offense under Maryland Transportation Code §21-904. An individual is guilty of this crime if they willfully fail to stop for a police officer or flee on foot or by any vehicle after the officer has given an appropriate signal to stop. The law recognizes the severity of the offense by imposing higher penalties if the individual uses a motor vehicle or watercraft to flee, or if their actions result in injury to another person. Penalties can include imprisonment, fines, and points added to the individual's driving record. Additionally, if the act of fleeing and eluding results in serious bodily injury or death, the offender may face felony charges with significantly increased penalties. It is important for individuals to understand that attempting to evade law enforcement is a serious crime in Maryland, and legal advice from an attorney should be sought if one is charged with such an offense.

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Criminal charges

evading arrest or detention

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Maryland State Code

Maryland State Code

Criminal charges

evading arrest or detention

Articles