Posted by duijim in on November 9, 2018
After allegedly trying to pass a bad check, a woman in North Georgia recently led law enforcement on a high-speed chase. The chase occurred after the driver ran a red light and eventually reached more than 70 miles per hour through two school zones, Arnall Middle and White Oak Elementary. Law enforcement eventually performed a PIT maneuver to stop the driver. On inspecting the driver’s vehicle, traces of cocaine were found, which the woman claims came after she attempted to eat several bags of the drug to hide it from law enforcement.
The woman now faces charges of failure to maintain lane, felony fleeing, forgery, going inside a guard line with drugs, identity fraud, narcotics possession, reckless conduct, speeding in a school zone, and suspended license. The woman is currently in Coweta County Jail without bond.
Most people in Georgia understand that if you attempt to outrun the police, you will be arrested. There are, however, many other important things that you should remember if you are pulled over by law enforcement to avoid being arrested or facing additional charges.
What to do if You See a Police Vehicle
If law enforcement is following you in a vehicle with sirens or lights that are a turned on, pull over as soon as it is possible to do so safely. Some people avoid pulling over promptly because they feel that this will be viewed as a sign of guilt. This is not, however, how law enforcement often views this behavior. Instead, by stopping quickly, you show law enforcement that you are in control of your vehicle and take the situation seriously. You should not attempt to pull over too suddenly, though, because this creates the risk that you will end up in a serious accident.
What to do After Stopping for Law Enforcement
After you are pulled over by law enforcement, you should make sure to turn off your engine. No matter how you respond in these situations, treat law enforcement respectfully. For example, if it is dark, turn on the lights inside of your vehicle.
It is also important to stay in your vehicle until law enforcement directs you to get out of it. Avoid searching your through your pockets or in the glove box because this creates the risk that law enforcement will misconstrue what you are doing as searching for a weapon.
Despite the benefits of remaining respectful to law enforcement, you should also observe your Fifth Amendment rights and avoid saying anything incriminating while speaking to the police.
Contact a Driving Defense Lawyer Today
If you are charged with any traffic-related offense in Georgia, you can benefit substantially from the assistance of an experienced defense attorney. Contact Yeargan & Kert today to schedule an initial free consultation. We have helped numerous people respond to these charges and obtain the best results possible.