Under what circumstances does escaping from custody become classified as a felony?

Escaping from custody is classified as a felony when force or violence causing serious bodily injury is used during the escape. This classification reflects the seriousness of the actions involved in the escape. The use of force or violence increases the danger to law enforcement officers and the public, emphasizing the need for stronger legal consequences.

In scenarios where an escapee is caught using threats, physical harm, or inflicting serious injuries, the legal system categorizes these actions as more severe offenses. This is because such acts not only aim to evade law enforcement but also pose significant risk to individuals involved. Thus, the legal system distinguishes between various forms of escape, highlighting that those which involve violence carry heavier penalties due to the heightened threat they represent.

Other circumstances, such as escaping without violence, attempting to escape from a courtroom, or doing so under the influence of substances, do not carry the same weight as those involving serious bodily harm, which is why they do not classify the act as a felony.