What Is Considered Fleeing the Police?
According to Minnesota Statute 609.487, fleeing the police in a vehicle includes increasing your speed, extinguishing your headlights, refusal to stop your vehicle for a police officer, or otherwise trying to elude a police officer after the person has signaled for you to pull over. People may also flee the police on foot by running, hiding, or …show more content…
Fleeing a police officer in a vehicle is considered a felony. The person could be imprisoned for up to three years and one day and/or face a fine of up to $5,000. The person will also likely have their license revoked.
If someone other than the perpetrator suffers bodily injury or death while the person is fleeing, the consequences for the person’s actions increase. This bodily injury or death could be the persuing police officer, others in the perpetrator’s vehicle, or even bystanders. When the injured person suffers substantial bodily injury, the perpetrator may face up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Substantial bodily injury is defined as:
Bodily injury which involves a temporary but substantial disfigurement, or which causes a temporary but substantial loss or impairment of the function of any member or organ, or which causes a fracture of any bodily member.
The potential prison time increases to up to seven years and the potential fine increases to up to $14,000 if there is great bodily injury, which is defined