Orlando Police Officer Arrested After Recklessly Speeding/Weaving Through Traffic
According to a report from The New York Post, an Orlando police officer has been arrested after video showed evidence of extremely reckless driving. Alexander Shaouni stands accused of going 80 MPH in a 45 MPH zone and weaving in and out of traffic. He was in his patrol car at the time of the incident. Here, our Orlando criminal defense attorney explains what we know about this case and the charges.
Orlando Police Officer Arrested for Reckless Driving, Refuses to Cooperate
Orlando Police Officer Alexander Shaouni was arrested after a high-speed chase last Friday. Mr. Shaouni was reportedly driving at 80 mph in a 45-mph zone in his patrol car without any lights or sirens. A sheriff’s deputy pursued him, hitting speeds over 100 mph. When caught, Mr. Shaouni argued that he was heading to work and questioned why he was being pulled over. He refused to hand over his license and fled the scene. He was later identified through his badge and police cruiser number. Mr. Shaouni was charged with resisting an officer, reckless driving, and fleeing/eluding a law enforcement officer. Notably, Mr. Shaouni has been relieved from his duties at the Orlando Police Department.
An Overview of the Criminal Charges Filed
The Orlando Police officer is reportedly facing three separate criminal charges. Here is an overview of the charges filed by prosecutors:
- Reckless Driving: Reckless driving is a serious traffic offense, and in the case of Officer Alexander Shaouni, it refers to him allegedly driving at 80 mph in a 45-mph zone without any lights or sirens. This charge indicates that his driving was considered to be not only in violation of speed limits but also displaying a disregard for the safety and well-being of others on the road.
- Resisting an Officer: Resisting an officer, often termed as resisting arrest, encompasses actions that obstruct or attempt to obstruct a law enforcement officer’s efforts in the execution of their duties. In this instance, Officer Shaouni allegedly refused to cooperate with the sheriff’s deputy who attempted to pull him over. His refusal to hand over his driver’s license and his argumentative behavior may be viewed as trying to hinder the officer’s ability to conduct the traffic stop effectively.
- Fleeing/Eluding a Law Enforcement: The charge of fleeing or eluding law enforcement is levied against individuals who deliberately try to evade a police officer attempting to perform a lawful traffic stop. Officer Shaouni is accused of doing exactly that by initially speeding away and then later, after being confronted, getting back into his vehicle and driving off. This charge is considered very serious.
Contact Our Orlando, FL Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando criminal defense attorney has the professional and legal expertise to defend the complete range of traffic crash charges. If you or your loved one was arrested and charged with any type of reckless driving offense, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a fully confidential initial consultation. From our Orlando law office, we serve communities throughout Central Florida, including in Orange County and Seminole County.
Source:
nypost.com/2023/06/14/orlando-police-officer-alexander-shaouni-arrested-after-caught-speeding/
