DC Hit and Run Penalties

In DC, hit and run is defined by a statute called leaving after colliding. This statute establishes that any driver who causes a collision must immediately stop, otherwise they could be in violation of this law. Anyone who breaks this law could face severe DC hit and run penalties. As a result, if law enforcement has charged you with fleeing the scene of an accident, you should speak with an experienced attorney immediately.

Punishments

When someone flees the scene of an accident, the police may charge them with a misdemeanor. If a motorist collides with another driver and injures them as a result, this person must stay at the scene of the accident and contact emergency personnel. If this individual fails to do so or does not provide any identifying information to law enforcement, the penalty for this offense is a jail sentence of a maximum of 180 days or a maximum fine of $1,000.

If an accident does not result in an injury to a person but results in property damage, the penalty for this offense is a maximum period of incarceration of 30 days or a $250 fine. First-time offenders of a hit and run violation may face a penalty of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. For a second offense, the penalty may increase to up to a year in jail and a fine of $2,500. The severity of the penalties depend on what kind of damages resulted from the collision.

Non-Criminal Consequences

One of the most significant non-criminal consequences of a DC hit and run conviction is the impact on someone’s license. A conviction for any hit and run carries 12 points, which leads to an automatic loss of driving privileges for six months.

A suspended license can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life. If an individual is caught driving after their privileges have been suspended, this is a criminal charge in and of itself that carries a penalty of up to one year in jail.

A conviction also could impact someone’s ability to obtain employment. This charge could come up in background checks for security clearances and professional licensing opportunities.

Additional Criminal Charges

Other serious penalties that a person accused of a hit and run in DC could encounter are additional criminal charges, depending on the nature of the case. If the accused individual is not licensed to drive or they have problems with their driving privileges, they could face criminal traffic charges such as operating after suspension or without a valid license.

Law enforcement also may charge an individual with reckless endangerment if they were driving in a way that had a careless disregard for others’ safety. In instances where the court determines that the accused intentionally struck another vehicle or person, they could be charged with assault-related offenses, such as malicious destruction of property.

Contact an Attorney to Discuss Penalties for Hit and Run Charges in DC

A criminal lawyer could help you if you have been charged with a hit and run by analyzing the allegations against you and establishing whether or not you violated the statute. Then, they could review the prosecutor’s evidence to assess if their case has any merit. More importantly, a skilled attorney could identify the weaknesses and strengths of the prosecutor’s case.

Through this assessment, a lawyer could determine what, if any, additional evidence and information they may want to seek out in support of your defense. Then, they could develop a strategy to fight the charges or minimize the DC hit and run penalties you may be facing. To get started on building your case, call today.