Legal Tips and Resources

Fleeing the scene of any crime is a criminal offense. Even in a case of a hit and run accident. Imagine you are leaving a friends house one morning and back out of their driveway, upon doing so you back into a vehicle parked on the side of the road. Because, to your knowledge, there is no witness or evidence that may link you to the collision, you flee the scene. Hours later, the owner of that vehicle comes outside to notice that their car has been wrecked. Law enforcement is called to the scene and a report for a hit and run is filed. Now, in this case, you may very well be off the hook for this offense. However, after further investigation you receive a phone call asking you to report to the police station in regards to a hit and run. The extent of the punishment for this offense varies, and your defense may be based on several things. Any evidence against you, who you have in your corner as your legal representative, the state or jurisdiction the offense took place in, and the amount of damage or injuries that were caused due to the hit and run. 

In cases such as these, the possibility of jail time are just as possible as a fine. Hit and runs, at this capacity are considered misdemeanors, but that does not make this case any less important to take care of. If you flee the scene of a hit and run, you will likely lose your license as well. In these cases, it is natural to flee the scene thinking no damage was actually done, and no one was injured. However, it is still unethical to leave the scene without speaking with the other party. These cases do not only introduce criminal charges, but also a possible civil case. Because of this, if you happen to be in a similar situation please contact a criminal defense attorney to discuss what options you may have. Both a criminal and civil case will affect you.

So it is in your best interest not to flee the scene of a crime and rack up a hit and run charge or a possible civil lawsuit. Instead, remain at the scene to try to handle the issue as civilly as possible. However, in the event that it is too late, contact a Decatur attorney in your area as soon as you can.

Thanks to Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into criminal defense and hit and run cases.