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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 Illinois, fleeing and eluding a peace officer is a criminal offense under 625 ILCS 5/11-204 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes. An individual commits this crime if they knowingly flee or attempt to elude a peace officer or federal special investigator who is lawfully attempting to arrest or detain them. This applies when the individual is aware, or should reasonably be aware, that they are being pursued by a law enforcement officer. The offense becomes more serious if the individual uses a motor vehicle or watercraft to flee, or if their actions result in injury to another person. Penalties for fleeing and eluding can include fines, imprisonment, and the suspension or revocation of the individual's driver's license. The severity of the penalties typically increases with the gravity of the offense, such as causing bodily harm or property damage during the act of fleeing and eluding.

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Criminal charges

evading arrest or detention

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Illinois State Code

Criminal charges

evading arrest or detention

Illinois State Code

Articles