Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (2nd Degree Felony) — after a high-speed pursuit through West Palm Beach in which the client struck three unmarked PBSO detective vehicles and nearly ran over two Street Crimes Agents who were on foot approaching the car
On November 27, 2022, plain clothes PBSO detectives observed the client driving a BMW at high speed and attempted to initiate a stop. The client fled at excessive speed, ramming three unmarked police vehicles and forcing two detectives on foot to flee for their safety. The vehicle was eventually abandoned in an apartment complex. The State charged Aggravated Fleeing, a second-degree felony carrying up to 15 years in prison.
Counsel secured Youthful Offender sentencing, a designation that significantly limits the punishment a court can impose and is not available to all defendants. The client was sentenced in May 2023 with adjudication withheld, 24 months probation, community service, and no prison time. When the client subsequently violated probation through multiple new arrests, including a second fleeing charge, criminal mischief, and driving on a suspended license, counsel appeared at the VOP hearing and again kept the client out of prison. The VOP resolved with a county jail sentence followed by community control with electronic monitoring, preserving the client's ability to avoid a state prison commitment on a second-degree felony despite a significant pattern of new violations.
Facing similar charges?