There are many forms of vehicular crime in California, most of which involve disobeying traffic laws and driving under illegal conditions; however, hit and run accidents are among the most highly punished vehicle crimes in the state. When a driver is involved in an accident and flees the scene, he or she has committed a criminal act. These charges can be subject to even heavier sentencing when the crash results in injuries and especially when it causes a death.
The provisions for imprisonment and punishment for a hit and run accident are found under California Vehicle Code 20001. Drivers are legally obligated to stop after a vehicle accident and supply their information to those involved or injured in the crash, or to police when there has been a death. Those guilty of a hit and run without injury or death can be punished by a fine between $1,000 and $10,000 and a maximum of one year in state or county prison. These charges are in addition to any other penalties for crimes, such as vehicular manslaughter, that the driver is found guilty of.
Injury and death quickly become much more serious matters in a California hit and run accident. Section 20001 states that hit and run drivers who cause injury or death can be punished by two, three, or four years of imprisonment and the same fines. These fines and prison sentences can be lessened by courts depending on the circumstances of the crimes. In addition, those found to have caused the hit and run accident through gross negligence and while committing an unlawful act, or while driving under the influence of drug and/or alcohol, can receive an additional five years of prison time.
Causing a vehicle accident can quickly cause a driver to panic and make unwise decisions due to stress and adrenaline. Hit and run crimes can result in severe punishments in California; as such, it is important to hire an experienced attorney that will fight against severe penalties. Jeremy Goldman has years of experience as an Orange County hit and run defense attorney and can help you fight against your charges. Call our law offices today for a consultation on your case at (800) 349-1619.
According to The OC Register, police are asking for the public’s help in their search for the driver of a late July hit-and-run accident in Anaheim that critically injured a tourist. The incident occurred in the very early morning hours of July 27 when a 45-year-old visitor from China was crossing the street.
The victim was part of a tourist group that had arrived at a motel only two hours before the incident. He had told his group that he was heading out to a convenience store and was crossing the southbound lanes of South Harbor Blvd.’s 2100 block when a vehicle hit him. The driver did not stop or call for help, but continued southbound on Harbor Blvd. The hit-and-run vehicle is believed to be a silver Toyota Tacoma. The tourist was not in a crosswalk at the time of the accident. He sustained both external and internal head trauma, two broken legs, and other injuries. He is in critical condition at UCI Medical Center.
A motel surveillance video, recently discovered by investigators, shows the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck entering the motel’s parking lot and then immediately leaving, as if the driver was looking at the scene of the accident. Regardless of what the hit-and-run driver was thinking when they pulled into the motel’s driveway, they decided to flee the scene.
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be very traumatic. Many drivers may leave the scene out of fear, anxiety, or even confusion. But being charged with a hit and run is no small matter, especially if you are charged with a felony hit and run. If you have been arrested for a hit-and-run accident in Orange County, the skilled Anaheim hit-and-run defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman can protect your legal rights. Call us today for a consultation at 1-800-349-1619.
A 16-year-old Notre Dame High School student was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on October 19, according to The Los Angeles Times. The high school student was a member of the school’s cross country team and was jogging across Woodman Avenue when a burgundy SUV driven by an 18-year old female struck him. Police reports state that the girl drove four blocks before finding a stopped police car and alerting them of the pedestrian accident. The 16-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The driver was arrested but will not be charged with a felony since she reported the fatal California hit-and-run accident to police and did not hide any details of what allegedly happened. The case has been turned over to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office for possible misdemeanor charges.
California state law requires that anyone involved in a traffic accident where a person is injured or property is damaged must remain at the scene until police arrive. In many cases, when a driver hits a pedestrian or motor vehicle, they are often struck with such fear that they panic, have a momentary lapse in judgment, and later regret their decision to flee. Should you find yourself facing hit-and-run charges in Orange County, it would be in your best interest to contact and experienced criminal defense attorney.
At The Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman, our aggressive Orange County hit-and-run defense lawyers will carefully examine all the evidence of your traffic accident in order to build a strong defense. Felony hit-and-run convictions can carry expensive fines, lengthy prison sentences and points on or revocation of your license. In addition, points on your license increase insurance premiums and can often be financially debilitating on a family. If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony or misdemeanor hit-and-run, call The Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman at 1-800-349-1619 today.
