Street Racing Can Lead to Misdemeanor or Felony Charges
Demonstrating your vehicle’s performance abilities can be exhilarating. But it can also be a crime.
Within the past couple of years, Central Florida has seen an increase in street racing. Events held at various locations throughout the area bring hundreds of racers and spectators.
Whether the street race is held in a section of the highway unofficially designated a competition area or portions of the road still in use by other drivers, these events endanger the health and safety of others. Law enforcement officials in Orlando and throughout Florida are cracking down on them.
Traffic enforcement officers breaking up these events often issue dozens of citations and make many arrests at each. According to the Orlando Sentinel, between January and March of 2021, officials handed out around 700 tickets to street race participants.
Generally, the charges street racers face include reckless driving and fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer. Reckless driving, operating a vehicle with a wanton disregard for the safety of others and property, is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine between $25 and $500.
Fleeing and eluding, which involves failing to stop or stopping and then driving off after being ordered to pull over by an officer, is usually a third-degree felony. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison and/or up to $5,000 in fines. The offense becomes a second-degree felony, penalized by up to 15 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines, if the individual drove at a high rate of speed or showed a wanton disregard for the safety of others.
Call Alers Law Firm for Help Fighting Your Charge
A street racing event occurred this past weekend. With traffic enforcement officers vigilantly going after anyone believed to be involved, a few arrests were likely made.
If you have been charged with a crime in connection with illegal street racing. Reach out to our Orlando team. We offer aggressive defense and are ready to protect your rights.
Schedule a consultation by calling us at (407) 930-4888 or contacting us online today.
