Robert Hoffman, Jr. v. State of Arkansas

Summary

The Arkansas Court of Appeals affirmed Robert Hoffman, Jr.'s convictions for fleeing, reckless driving, and speeding after a bench trial. The court held that substantial evidence supported the fleeing conviction because the circumstances, including Hoffman's acceleration, erratic driving, and the pursuing officer's activated lights and siren, supported an inference that he knowingly fled. The court deferred to the circuit court's credibility determination rejecting Hoffman's testimony that he was unaware of the pursuit.

Holdings

1. Substantial evidence supported the finding that Hoffman knowingly fled from the trooper. The circuit court could infer knowledge from the totality of the circumstances, including the activated lights and siren, Hoffman's side mirrors, his acceleration, erratic lane changes, and his looking back toward the pursuing trooper.

Questions Presented

1. Whether substantial evidence supported Hoffman's conviction for fleeing, including the required finding that he knowingly fled from an officer attempting to stop him.

Disposition

affirmed