Not all traffic stops involve a warning or even a ticket. There are some offenses that are serious criminal charges, as a Snellville man has learned this week.
Twenty-four year old Theodore Freeman is facing multiple charges after a short police chase ended with him crashing his white SUV into a tree near Powder Springs-Dallas Road and Florence Road. The chase began when a concerned driver alerted police to an SUV driving on the wrong side of the road, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
The crash left Freeman with injuries serious enough to send him to Wellstar Cobb hospital but he was arrested upon his release from the medical facility.
Freeman is charged with driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, attempting to elude police, DUI, and violating the open container law.
It’s not uncommon for people to panic when they see those police lights in their rear view mirror, especially if they have been drinking or are not supposed to be driving at all. It seems Freeman panicked and thought he could get away. Unfortunately for him getaways are rarely successful.
If this is Freeman’s first charge of attempting to elude an officer he will face up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 for that charge alone. Reckless driving adds another potential year to that sentence.
Driving while your license is suspended is considered a fairly serious offense. Judges don’t like to be ignored and that’s what driving on a suspended license amounts to. This charge brings another potential 12 months in jail for a first time offender.
If, however, Freeman has been caught violating the suspension in the past, the charge could result in higher fines and being charged with a “misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature”.
The potential penalty Freeman faces for DUI all depends on if this is his first DUI or a second or subsequent DUI charge. The sentences get progressively harsher as judges see the same faces reappear in their courts.
Facing criminal charges, no matter the situation is frightening. Whether you have one charge against you or multiple charges, a skilled attorney is needed for you to feel confident about your case.
Contact me today to discuss what happened on the day of your arrest. I am interested in helping you get the best possible results on your day in court.
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