Can Uber Drivers Face Charges for Transporting Criminals in Fort Myers?

There is a major difference between a getaway driver and an Uber driver. If you picked up the wrong fare and got caught up in a crime, you may face charges despite having nothing to do with what happened. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in Fort Myers can help you establish that this was all a misunderstanding.

Did They Pay You Cash?

If a fare ever offers to pay you in cash rather than using the official app, you should be extremely wary. Criminals often do this in order to ensure they don’t leave a digital trail of evidence behind. If you accept the cash, you could be unwittingly participating in a crime as a getaway driver.

The lack of a digital record also makes it more challenging to prove your own innocence. The app is your friend in this scenario, as it provides clear evidence that you were simply doing your job. Once you accept cash, you are no longer an “Uber driver” but rather a civilian driving their personal vehicle.

Police Often Arrest Uber Drivers as a Precaution

If police pull you over and it becomes clear that you were unwittingly transporting a criminal from the scene of a crime, they may place you under arrest or detain you as a precaution. You should not face any criminal charges, however. Police do this because they want to rule out the possibility of you merely impersonating an Uber driver while acting as an accomplice.

After reviewing your records, the app history, and other relevant evidence, police officers should release you from custody relatively quickly. If they do not, you should ask for a lawyer and avoid saying anything else to the officers. Although it might seem tempting to try to explain your situation, you may only make your circumstances worse by continuing to talk without a lawyer present.

Do I Have a Legal Duty to Pull Over or Attempt a Citizen’s Arrest?

No, you do not have to pull over or attempt a citizen’s arrest if you believe you’re transporting a criminal from a crime scene. Remain calm and engage the passenger in normal conversation if possible. Subtly hit the driver emergency button without the criminal noticing, which automatically notifies law enforcement that there is an emergency. You will not face criminal charges because you didn’t do enough to stop the criminal or turn them in.

Can a Fort Myers Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me? 

A Fort Myers criminal defense lawyer may be able to help if you face charges for participating in a crime despite the fact that you were just an innocent Uber driver. As long as you can prove that you were simply trying to do your job, you shouldn’t face any charges. Contact The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today to learn more about your next steps.

Sources:

 kfoxtv.com/news/nation-world/utah-man-allegedly-uses-uber-as-getaway-vehicle-in-back-to-back-bank-robberies-david-converse-harris-federal-grand-jury-court-documents-red-dye-demanding-notes-stolen-cars

ksla.com/2019/09/13/woman-accused-shoplifting-trying-use-uber-getaway/