On May 3, 2023, our client was arrested for Fleeing and Eluding with High Speed or Wanton Fleeing, a second degree Felony carrying up to 15 years of prison, and an automatic adjudication of guilt. This would make him a convicted felon. Our client was lost and following his GPS but was speeding. He was clocked going 30 miles over the speed limit. As he made the wrong turn, the Officer attempted to pull him over but his patrol vehicle stalled out for several moments. He accused our client of fleeing his vehicle for less than a mile after the stall. Our client was stopped at a red light and was figuring out where he was. The officer saw him and pulled him out of the vehicle. He did not get a confession or a motive.
On May 11, 2025, our client elected to reject the State’s offer which included jail time and let a jury decide his case. We were able to show the jury he had a pizza order around the same time and showed them a map of the simple driving pattern. His wrong turn was just before the pizza shop and then he overshot it. He was lost and late. We asked the State for two years to file the charges as a lesser reckless driving which would carry a maximum of 90 days in jail. They refused. The jury decided the case and found our client not guilty of ANY Felony. They did find him guilty of reckless driving. He was sentenced to 6 months probation, 12 hour driving class, and community service.