Police ordered a Florida man to get on his knees — but Tesla video proves he did nothing wrong. How cameras can save you thousands in legal fees

Afterwards, an unmarked police vehicle turned on their sirens for a split second in an attempt to get his attention. The officers inside thought Finley was trying to get away, and followed him home. Finley says he had no idea he was being followed until he’d parked in his garage and heard sirens outside. He wound up with an officer holding him at gunpoint.

The case went to trial in July, but it never reached the jury. A Seminole County judge saw footage from Finley’s own Tesla and acquitted him.

What the Tesla camera showed that the police report didn’t

The officer was convinced Finley was running, according to Fox 35. Finley’s response at the scene was that nothing he saw or heard told him to pull over.

The Tesla’s rear camera backed him up. On the video, the unmarked car’s sirens and lights show only briefly before bends in the road and some buildings hide the police car. The officer’s report also described Finley’s car sliding out. Nothing like that appeared on video.

Not every Tesla driver would have had that footage, though. A Tesla only keeps video like that if it’s set up to, and fighting a case like Finley’s can cost thousands even if you win.

In Florida, refusing to stop for an officer when you know you’ve been ordered to is a third-degree felony. It carries up to five years in prison and the loss of your driver’s license for one to five years.

Winter Springs Police Chief Matthew Tracht told Fox 35 that the officer is no longer with the department. Finley says Tracht also phoned him and said he was sorry on behalf of the department, but the damage was already done.

“I stared down the barrel of his gun for no reason. I was put on my knees in my driveway while my neighbors were watching,” Finley said. “You can’t fix that with an apology.”

What it costs to fight a criminal charge

Finley has lined up an attorney and plans to go after Winter Springs in a civil lawsuit for his defense costs and the emotional toll of a charge he says should never have been brought against him.