Out of the frying pan and into the fire – that's what happened to one Ohio man facing multiple charges while fleeing from police in his car. After leading cops on a whirlwind chase spanning two sides of Youngstown, the suspect, 20-year-old Tavares Hodge, crashed into a wall on North Garland Ave.

Hodge is a convicted felon, and police found a handgun and ammunition in his vehicle. A day before his arrest, a woman living with Hodge claimed that he beat her, trashed the house, and fired his gun indoors, where their child lives. In addition to his existing convictions, Hodge is now facing a failure to comply with a police officer charge.

The relationship between citizens and police officers in the United States is precarious. Regardless of your stance, compliance is your best bet if you are under arrest and after a conviction. Going against the law or trying to flee from the police will only exacerbate a situation that already isn't in your favor.

Non-Compliance Affects Your Case

The courts don't sympathize with defendants who commit multiple offenses and continue to break the law. Whether it's resisting arrest, fleeing from police, or violating a Protection from Abuse Order, your actions add extra jail time and penalties to your case.

• Resisting Arrest: In Pennsylvania, resisting an arrest is a misdemeanor of the second degree. You may also face imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.
• Eluding a Police Officer: Not stopping your vehicle after an officer asks or trying to escape the police is a second-degree misdemeanor. If you lead police on a chase like Hodge, that charge can increase to a third-degree felony charge.
• Violating a PFA: In PA, contacting a petitioner of a restraining order or violating the terms of a PFA is a criminal attempt that can land you in jail for up to 6 months and incurs a $1,000 fine.

These scenarios are the most common ways that defendants decrease their chances of a favorable case outcome. However, this doesn't mean that they shouldn't hire a criminal defense attorney.

How An Attorney Helps

A criminal defense attorney minimizes the damage of non-compliance and multiple offenses. Depending on the violation, your lawyer examines the evidence to uncover inconsistencies. An attorney also presents information that may disprove allegations against you. Lawyers understand the local court system and the best way to approach your case. But not just any attorney will do – you need an ally with a strong track record of success spanning many years, like attorney Joseph D. Lento.

Contact the Lento Law Firm

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm help defendants with multiple convictions navigate the complex charges they face in court. Drawing on his expertise and familiarity with the Pennsylvania court system, Mr. Lento tackles the most complex cases head-on and aggressively fights for your rights.

Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm can also help to negotiate a sentence if fighting charges is not a realistic option - all the while working to decrease the impact of the allegations against you. Call the Lento Law Firm today for a transparent, in-depth consultation at 888-535-3686. With Joseph D. Lento by your side, you can face post-bust complications with confidence.