{"id":29877,"date":"2022-09-14T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T12:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rhinolawyers.com\/?p=29877"},"modified":"2026-05-27T16:36:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:36:20","slug":"what-are-the-penalties-for-fleeing-and-eluding-in-tampa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.rhinolawyers.com\/es\/what-are-the-penalties-for-fleeing-and-eluding-in-tampa\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Penalties for Fleeing and Eluding in Tampa?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s a huge, palpable feeling of fear during a traffic stop, and that anxiety goes both ways!<\/p>\n

Citizens fear police consequences and violence, while\u00a0police also fear<\/a>\u00a0what they’re facing. This fear drives both parties to protect themselves. For some, this instinct to flee could result in criminal charges like eluding an officer.<\/p>\n

Make no mistake about it, though. You won’t be able to use instincts as a defense against fleeing and eluding charges. You’ll need to construct a much better defense to avoid fleeing and eluding penalties.<\/p>\n

Are you wondering what potential penalties you could face after an arrest? Read on to get informed.<\/p>\n

1. Prison Sentence<\/h2>\n

Immediately upon getting arrested for fleeing to elude a charge, you’ll get taken to jail. Within a few days, you’ll have an initial hearing where a judge will set a bail amount.<\/p>\n

For many, this is a relief because they can make bail and work on a defense strategy. For countless others who can’t make bail, it means an extended prison term until their court date.<\/p>\n

The Bureau of Justice reported that\u00a065% of inmates<\/a>\u00a0were awaiting trial in 2019.<\/p>\n

When you’re charged with fleeing to elude, you should expect bail to be significant. After all, the judge will see you as a flight risk since you are already accused of trying to run away.<\/p>\n

What’s more, your charges are a felony crime. These serious offenses come with higher bail amounts.<\/p>\n

If you do get convicted, then you’ll serve even more prison time after your court date. In Tampa, you can serve up to five years in prison for fleeing and eluding.<\/p>\n

2. Probation Term<\/h2>\n

If no aggravating factors exist in your case, then you might not serve much prison time. Instead, you could get sentenced to a very long probation term.<\/p>\n

Per Tampa law, you can serve up to five years on probation for general\u00a0fleeing to elude<\/a>\u00a0convictions.<\/p>\n

Probation means that you will not get imprisoned, but you’ll still face restrictions. Expect to meet with your probation officer on a weekly or monthly basis. You may also be subject to the following terms:<\/p>\n