Source: http://sessalaw.com/crimes/public-order-obstruction/escape/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 12:40:43+00:00

Document:
See Fla. Std. Jury Instr. 27.1.
A defendant may commit the crime of escape at any point after a qualifying arrest takes place.
An ‘arrest’ occurs where (1) the arresting officer intends to arrest; (2) the officer actually or constructively seizes the defendant; (3) the officer’s intent to arrest is communicated by the officer to the defendant; and (4) the defendant understands the communication (that an arrest is taking place). Kyser v. State, 533 So. 2d 285, 287 (Fla. 1988); McKinnon v. State, 17 So. 3d 860, 861 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009); See also Fla. Std. Jury Instr. 27.1.
Arrest does not require that a law enforcement officer complete the act of acquiring total physical control over a defendant. A constructive seizure, along with the advisement and understanding of an intended arrest, is all that is required. See McKinnon v. State, 17 So. 3d 860 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009) (affirming an escape conviction where the officer served a warrant, advised of the intent to make an arrest, and unsuccessfully attempted to handcuff the defendant).
See also- Spann v. State, 996 So.2d 873 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008) affirming where a deputy ordered the defendant defendant “put [his] hands behind [his] back” and then reached for the defendant’s wrists; Thomas v. State, 805 So.2d 102 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002) (affirming where defendant was advised of the intended arrest and then failed to return after being allowed by the officer to briefly reenter the residence).
Escape requires a technical completion of an arrest.
Where there is no ‘touching’ of the defendant, or where the defendant does not acquiesce or submit to the intended arrest by the officer, a conviction for escape cannot be sustained. Herbert v. State, 962 So. 2d 1068, 1072 (reversing escape conviction and finding that no arrest occurred because defendant took flight and was neither touched nor shown to have submitted to authority).
See also- Brown v. State, 623 So.2d 800 (Fla. 4th DCA 1993) (reversing escape conviction where the evidence established neither a physical touching of the defendant by the officer nor an acquiescence by the defendant to the attempted arrest).
See also- Applewhite v. State, 874 So.2d 1276, 1278 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004) (stating that “[t]he elements of [escape include whether] defendant was a prisoner, which is defined as any person who is under arrest and in the lawful custody of a law enforcement official”); State v. Ramsey, 475 So.2d 671, 672 (Fla.1985) (identifying ‘legal custody’ as an element of escape).
Contrary to the plain language of Section 944.40 and rules of statutory construction, Florida courts have consistently held that “transportation to a place of confinement” begins at the time an individual is placed under arrest. See State v. Ramsey, 475 So. 2d 671, 672-73 (Fla. 1985) (citing State v. Iafornaro, 447 So.2d 961 (Fla. 5th DCA 1984).
If you have been arrested for escape, you should consult with an attorney immediately to discuss your legal options. There me defenses available to contest the charge or to minimize the penalties you may face. contact attorney Steven Sessa today for a free consultation.

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