Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer

Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer in Illinois, you are facing serious criminal consequences that can affect your driving privileges, your record, and your future. At the Law Office of Phil Haddad, our experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney is prepared to aggressively defend your rights and pursue the best outcome possible in your case.

Understanding the Law – 625 ILCS 5/11-204

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-204, a driver may be charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer if:

The officer gives a visual or audible signal to stop (by hand, voice, siren, or red/blue lights);
The driver willfully fails or refuses to stop;
The driver increases speed, extinguishes lights, or otherwise attempts to evade the officer.

To be valid, the officer must be in uniform and driving a vehicle with flashing red or blue lights that identify it as a police vehicle.

Criminal Penalties for Fleeing or Eluding in Illinois

Fleeing and eluding is not just a traffic ticket — it is a criminal offense that carries harsh penalties:

First offense: Class A misdemeanor
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to $2,500 in fines
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months
Second offense: Class A misdemeanor
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 12 months
Third or subsequent offense: Class 4 felony
- 1 to 3 years in prison
- Felony conviction on your permanent record

Additional Charges Often Involved

In many cases, fleeing and eluding may be accompanied by other traffic or criminal charges such as:

Aggravated fleeing or eluding (if there’s bodily harm, property damage, or excessive speed)
Reckless driving
Driving under the influence (DUI)
Resisting arrest or obstruction of justice

These additional charges can significantly increase the severity of the penalties you face.

Why You Need a Skilled Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney

A conviction for fleeing or eluding can damage your record, cost you your driving privileges, and even land you behind bars. Prosecutors often view these cases as acts of recklessness or defiance, and courts may impose strict penalties — especially if a high-speed chase or danger to others was involved.

At the Law Office of Phil Haddad, we understand that not every attempt to flee is what it appears to be. In some cases, drivers may have feared for their safety, failed to recognize the officer’s authority, or experienced a medical or psychological emergency. We will carefully investigate every aspect of your case to:

Challenge the legality of the traffic stop
Review whether the officer’s signal was clear and lawful
Argue mitigating circumstances or necessity
Seek a reduction in charges or dismissal

Defending Clients Across Cook County and Chicago

If you’ve been charged under 625 ILCS 5/11-204, don’t leave your freedom and driving privileges to chance. Our firm has successfully defended clients across Chicago, Cook County, and the surrounding areas, providing strategic and aggressive representation in misdemeanor and felony traffic-related offenses.

Contact a Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you’re facing fleeing and eluding charges in Illinois, take the first step in protecting your rights by contacting an experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney. Attorney Phil Haddad has the skill, knowledge, and tenacity needed to fight back against the charges and help you avoid harsh penalties. Call 708-833-3505 to schedule a consultation or contact us online today.