HF1119

Purpose

To create a new felony offense for fleeing from a peace officer in a motor vehicle and for disobeying certain traffic laws during the pursuit. The goal is to deter dangerous evasive driving and protect officers who are performing their duties.

Main Provisions

• Adds a new subdivision (Subd. 3a) to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.487.
• Crime defined: If a person flees or attempts to flee by means of a motor vehicle from a peace officer who is lawfully discharging official duties, and the offender knows or should reasonably know the person is a peace officer, the offender commits a felony.
• Specific acts that trigger the offense:
  • Failing to obey signs, signals, or markings in violation of section 169.06 subdivision 4, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7, or 8.
  • Failing to keep on the proper side of the road in violation of section 169.18.
• Penalty: Imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

How it changes existing law

• Creates a new felony provision (Subd. 3a) within the existing statute that covers fleeing from a peace officer in a motor vehicle and disobeying specific traffic requirements during the pursuit.
• The new rule applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the offender knows or should know the officer is a peace officer.

Significance and Potential Impact

• Increases accountability for drivers who flee police in a vehicle and break traffic rules during the pursuit.
• Aligns actions during a motor vehicle pursuit with felony-level penalties, emphasizing public safety and officer protection.
• Relies on existing traffic law references (sections 169.06 and 169.18) to define disobedience and lane/side-of-road requirements.

Practical Considerations

• The offense requires knowledge or reasonable belief that the person is a peace officer, which influences prosecution.
• Penalties emphasize both potential imprisonment and fines, reflecting the seriousness assigned to fleeing from police in a vehicle.

Relevant Terms

• Fleeing / fleeing by motor vehicle
• Peace officer / officer acting in lawful discharge
• Subdivision 3a (new subdivision)
• Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.487
• Felony
• Imprisonment
• Fine
• Not more than five years
• Not more than $10,000
• Signs, signals, or markings (section 169.06, subdivisions 4, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7, 8)
• Proper side of the road (section 169.18)