California Hit and Run Defenses (CVC 20001 and CVC 20002) Navigated by Skilled Attorneys Defending Clients in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Across Southern California
Defending a hit and run charge requires knowledge of California law, skills in investigation and negotiation, and the strategic development of strong legal arguments. Approaching this legal battle without professional representation puts your future at risk. With The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney on your side, you have the advantage that comes with decades of legal practice in criminal defense law.
Our team of experienced attorneys has a long history of presenting effective California hit and run defenses (CVC 20001 and CVC 20002) to help our clients reduce the impact of serious charges on their lives. We’re the top hit and run defense firm in Southern California, and for good reason. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help you get your charges dropped or downgraded or present the strongest possible defense in court.
Help Defending a Hit and Run Charge in Los Angeles, CA
Leaving the scene of a vehicle accident without meeting your legal obligations is a serious offense in California. You need to be just as serious about defending against these charges.
If convicted, you could be facing fines and jail time, even if no one was hurt. Long after you have served your sentence, a hit and run conviction that remains on your criminal record can continue to impact your life, interfering with your employment prospects, housing options, and personal and professional reputation.
The experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney provide comprehensive California hit and run defenses (CVC 20001 and CVC 20002) for clients accused of this violation. We defend clients facing misdemeanor charges of violating Section 20002 of the California Vehicle Code by leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage. For defendants facing felony hit and run charges under Section 20001 for leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury to another person, we’re prepared to defend against charges that could potentially result in years of jail time and fines of up to $10,000 if convicted.
Our attorneys recognize that every hit and run case is unique, and developing the strongest defense possible requires a full analysis of the specific facts of your situation. We assess each case from every angle to craft a personalized defense strategy that helps us effectively pursue the most favorable outcome possible.
Common Defense Arguments for Hit and Run Charges in California
As we explore the individual facts of your case, we consider how these facts might fit into numerous strategies for defending against these charges. Effective hit and run defenses include the following.
Mistaken Identity
You can only be convicted of a hit and run if you were actually the one driving the vehicle at the time of the collision and you left the scene without providing the required information. In a defense based upon the mistaken identity of the driver, you must establish that someone else was driving the vehicle.
Perhaps you were a passenger in the vehicle rather than the operator who actually broke the law by fleeing the scene. Alternatively, misunderstandings based on incorrect witness accounts or similar vehicle appearances could have resulted in you being incorrectly assumed to have been the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit and run collision.
False Allegations
Unfortunately, there are numerous reasons why an alleged victim might concoct false claims of a defendant fleeing the scene, including a desire to avoid the consequences of damaging their own car in a single-vehicle accident or a personal vendetta against you. A thorough investigation of the facts can help us challenge the alleged victim’s credibility and establish discrepancies in the accusations you’re facing. We can also use witness statements, alibis, and other evidence to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.
Lack of Evidence
It’s the prosecutor’s responsibility to prove beyond a reasonable doubt all elements of the charges against you by providing evidence to support its case. If there is insufficient evidence to prove the prosecution’s case, the prosecutor won’t be able to secure a conviction. This situation could lead to a not-guilty verdict at trial or potentially result in charges being dismissed even before your case goes to court.
For an incident to constitute a hit and run, a collision must actually occur, and it must lead to property damage or injury. In the event that the charges you’re facing arose out of a near-miss or a minor impact that didn’t cause damage of any kind, we can use this lack of evidence to challenge the prosecution’s arguments.
Lack of Knowledge or Intent
In some instances, arguing that you didn’t know an accident occurred or caused damage or that you didn’t intend to leave the scene could potentially serve as a defense or at least a mitigating factor. It’s difficult to prove that a driver truly didn’t know an accident that potentially caused damage or injury occurred—and to successfully counter the prosecutor’s arguments that the driver should have known about the accident. However, our attorneys will consider this information along with other factors as we develop defense arguments in your favor.
Valid Reasons for Leaving the Scene
Perhaps you did leave the scene of the accident, but you had a valid reason for doing so. For example, at the time of the crash, you may have been rushing to the hospital to get a passenger life-saving medical intervention. Alternatively, in the rare but possible situation in which you were being forced to drive, such as a carjacking or kidnapping situation, you may have been forced to leave the scene under threat of violence. Our attorneys can develop defenses based on circumstances that involve leaving the scene due to an emergency or under duress.
Constitutional Rights Violations
Law enforcement personnel must follow proper procedures when investigating any crime, including a hit and run. If the investigation involved constitutional rights violations or other unlawful methods of gathering evidence, we can petition to get this evidence suppressed so that it can’t be used against you. By fighting to keep improperly obtained evidence out of court, we can weaken the case against you.
How The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Can Help
The key to defending against a hit and run charge is retaining seasoned criminal attorneys who are committed to securing you the most favorable outcome possible. At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, our team is dedicated to building effective California hit and run defenses (CVC 20001 and CVC 20002) and advocating aggressively for our clients’ rights and legal protections.
We’ll handle all aspects of your case, from investigating the circumstances and developing personalized defense arguments to representing you in all legal proceedings.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney?
For skilled, experienced help defending a hit and run charge in Los Angeles, you can count on The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney. Our team is known throughout Southern California for building strong defenses, advocating aggressively for our clients’ best interests, and achieving the most beneficial resolutions possible for clients accused of hit and run offenses.
Smart Strategies and Diligent Investigation for the Strongest Possible Defense
The effectiveness of your defense depends on the strength of your attorney's arguments and the evidence that supports them. The criminal defense lawyers at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney are dedicated to building strong defenses through meticulous investigations of the facts and conscientious development of legal strategies and arguments.
Aggressive Representation Throughout the Legal Process
Even when you’re facing serious charges, you have legal rights. As your hit and run defense attorneys, we’re prepared to fight to uphold those rights at every stage of criminal justice proceedings. We will advocate aggressively for you, ensuring the full protection of the law and pursuing the actions that most benefit you and your defense.
A Proven Record of Success in Securing the Most Favorable Outcomes Possible
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we get results. Our attorneys have a track record of successfully defending clients against hit and run charges and achieving outcomes that minimize the impact of their legal issues on their lives.
We have helped clients receive lighter sentences in the event of a conviction, negotiate reductions in charges and penalties, get improperly obtained evidence suppressed, receive not-guilty trial verdicts, and even get charges dismissed entirely. Through our efforts, we put our clients on the path to securing the most beneficial legal resolution possible in their unique circumstances.
Contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Today for Help Defending a Hit and Run Charge
Don’t wait to begin building your defense. The longer you delay bringing on a committed hit and run defense attorney, the greater the risk to your legal rights. From the very beginning, our attorneys focus on protecting your interests and crafting the most effective defense strategy possible.
For help defending a hit and run charge in California, contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call (310) 209-3999 today.
