Being approached by the police is not a normal experience for most people, particularly if they’ve been approached as a criminal suspect. There’s really no way of telling how someone might react to this type of situation.
Some people may be able to remain calm and composed and talk to the officers. For others, their natural reaction may be to try and run away. The latter isn’t a good idea, and here’s why.
Running from the police may endanger you
If you decide to run, then you will be highly adrenalized. This means that you may take unnecessary risks to escape the situation. The reality is that you’re highly unlikely to get away from officers and you’re only putting yourself in physical danger of running into traffic and other people.
Also, by running, you may have unwittingly authorized the police to use reasonable force to stop you. This is especially the case if you pose a danger to yourself or the public, even inadvertently.
You may face extra charges
Fleeing law enforcement is a criminal offense in the state of Virginia. It’s a charge that involves potential penalties including fines and prison time. Importantly, fleeing law enforcement is a stand-alone charge. That means even if you were cleared of any wrongdoing before fleeing, you could still face the fleeing law enforcement charges.
Dealing with law enforcement when accused of a crime isn’t easy, but it’s important to remain calm. Remember, you are innocent until proven guilty. It is up to law enforcement and the prosecution to establish criminal wrongdoing. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your defense options.