By Joanna Putman
Police1
FERGUSON, Mo. – Missouri law enforcement agencies are reminding residents of the consequences of fleeing from officers following the implementation of a new law, FOX 2 reported.
Under Valentine’s Law, fleeing from a traffic stop and creating a substantial risk of injury is now classified as a class D felony, carrying a minimum sentence of one year in prison without the possibility of probation or parole, according to the report.
The law also escalates penalties based on the consequences of the driver’s actions during the escape. If someone is injured as a result, the offender could face up to 15 years in prison. If the incident leads to a death, the penalties range from 10 to 30 years, or even life imprisonment, according to the report.
“We want our community to be fully aware of these new penalties,” the Ferguson Police Department stated. “If you’re pulled over, please stop and comply. The risks of fleeing far outweigh any monetary gain.”
The Ferguson Police Department announcement, along with reminders from other departments, follows the death of Osage Beach Police Department Officer Phylecia Carson. Carson, a mother of six, was killed while pursuing a suspect who fled from a traffic stop.
Valentine’s law was named after St. Louis County Detective Antonio Valentine, who was killed when a fleeing vehicle struck his unmarked cruiser in 2021, KRCG reported.