California Vehicle Code § 20002 – Hit and Run Outlines Legal Requirements and Consequences for Hit and Run Offenses in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Across CA
Charges that involve fleeing the scene of a vehicle crash aren’t always straightforward. If you’re facing such charges or under investigation for this offense, you need to fully understand the crime you’re accused of and its implications for your future. For help understanding the laws of hit and run violations in California, turn to the trusted team at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney.
We don’t just advise our clients on the demands and consequences of the legal process. Our team is known for providing aggressive advocacy and skilled defense services in hit and run cases of all kinds. We’ve cultivated a reputation as the top hit and run defense firm in Southern California as a result of our proven record of success securing clients the most favorable resolution possible. Contact us today and find out how our attorneys can help you defend against serious charges.
What Defendants Need to Know About California Vehicle Code § 20002 – Hit and Run
In California, the offense of hit and run is established under Section 20002 of the California Vehicle Code, as well as related sections of state law.
This statute establishes that drivers involved in an accident that damages someone else’s property must stop their vehicle immediately or at the nearest possible location that won’t impede traffic or put the safety of others at risk. Once stopped, a driver in an accident that causes only property damage—not injury—must either:
- Locate the owner of the damaged property, notify them of the accident, and provide their identification and vehicle registration information, or
- Leave a written notice containing all required identification and registration information in a conspicuous place for the owner to find and promptly notify the police of the accident
What about hit and run situations that involve injuries rather than strictly property damage? Section 20001 of the California Vehicle Code addresses these situations. The driver must not only stop the vehicle promptly and provide their identification and registration information but also render reasonable assistance to the injured person, such as transporting or arranging transportation for them to a medical facility.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Without Providing Your Information Constitutes a Hit and Run in CA
Any action through which you fail to provide the required information can constitute an offense under California Vehicle Code § 20002 – Hit and Run. You may face charges if you stopped your vehicle and provided incomplete or inaccurate information or if you got flustered and failed to provide your information at the scene despite meaning to do so.
You Can Be Charged With a Hit and Run Regardless of Fault
When you think of hit and run violations, you might assume that the party charged with leaving the scene of the accident was necessarily the person at fault and that they left either because they panicked or in an intentional effort to avoid the consequences of their actions. However, California Vehicle Code § 20002 – Hit and Run doesn’t specify that a motorist must be at fault for causing the accident to be charged with this offense.
Regardless of fault, drivers are required to stop the vehicle and provide their information to others involved in the accident. That means you could be facing criminal charges arising out of a crash that was clearly someone else’s fault.
Hit and Runs Can Be Charged as Misdemeanors or Felonies
A hit and run violation can constitute either a misdemeanor or felony offense. Misdemeanors are generally less severe offenses than felonies and carry less harsh penalties, although having any hit and run conviction on your record can impact your future.
A misdemeanor hit and run violation is one that involves strictly property damage. If the accident injured someone, even if you didn’t cause the crash, fleeing the scene could lead to felony charges.
Hit and Run Charges Can Result in Jail Time and Steep Fines
Even a misdemeanor charge for hit and run violations can lead to fines and jail time. Under California Vehicle Code § 20002 – Hit and Run, a misdemeanor offense of this nature may be punished by up to six months in county jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
The more severe the harm involved in a felony hit and run offense, the greater the penalties you could face. If the accident caused an injury, a person who is found guilty of leaving the scene could be sent to state prison or county jail for up to a year and be fined an amount between $1,000 and $10,000. However, if the injury constitutes a permanent, serious injury under California law or it causes the death of a person, the defendant in a hit and run offense could be sentenced to a longer term of two to four years in state prison.
Although Section 20001 of the California Vehicle Code establishes this minimum imprisonment, it also establishes that courts have the discretion to reduce or eliminate this requirement in individual cases.
In cases in which the alleged hit and run occurred in connection with an unlawful act, unlawful operation of a vehicle, or gross negligence in operating the vehicle, a person may face a penalty of five years of imprisonment for the hit and run offense in addition to other sentences arising out of the incident.
It’s Never Too Early to Consult a Defense Attorney About a Hit and Run Incident
If you haven’t yet been formally charged with a hit and run violation, you might think it makes sense to wait and see what happens. Unfortunately, waiting means losing out on valuable opportunities for early legal intervention.
Through strategic, proactive efforts, your attorney can help you negotiate a civil compromise with the accident victim or cooperate with law enforcement in ways that improve your case without undermining your defense. Having experienced legal counsel is critical for avoiding mistakes after a hit and run accident and taking actions that will help you achieve a more favorable outcome to your case.
How The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Can Help
There are many potential defenses against hit and run charges in California. Identifying the strategy that best fits your circumstances and developing a strong defense requires professional knowledge of criminal and vehicle law and skills acquired over decades of legal practice.
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, our seasoned team of attorneys is known for not only understanding the laws of hit and run in California but also ensuring that our clients know their rights and legal options. Our approach to defending clients against hit and run charges involves the following:
- An initial evaluation of the facts during a free consultation
- An in-depth investigation that allows us to identify evidence in your favor and potential defense strategies
- The meticulous development of the strongest possible arguments in your defense
- Reliable representation throughout every stage of the legal process to protect your rights
- Skillful negotiations to secure more favorable resolution out of court or preparation and presentation of the most compelling case possible during trial
As experienced hit and run attorneys, we have helped clients get charges dropped or reduced, avoid charges being filed in the first place through civil compromises, achieve not-guilty trial verdicts, and push for lighter sentences in the case of a conviction. We’re ready to help you face the criminal justice process with the confidence that comes with having an experienced professional fighting for your future.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney?
Understanding the laws of hit and run is critical when you’re facing charges over this serious offense. Turn to The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney to help you build your defense and minimize the impact of this incident on your future.
Extensive Knowledge of California Law
With more than 100 years of combined experience in legal practice, our team of attorneys has extensive knowledge of state law and the criminal justice system. You can count on us for help understanding the laws of hit and run and your options for defending against charges that could leave you facing jail time and significant fines.
Pursuit of the Most Beneficial Resolution for Your Case
The team at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney is dedicated to pursuing the most favorable outcome possible for clients facing hit and run charges. Every case is different, and we consider the unique facts and circumstances of your situation as we develop a strategy that will help us minimize the impact of criminal charges on your future. In some cases, we’re able to get our clients’ charges dismissed completely. Other times, we succeed in getting charges downgraded, penalties reduced, or evidence suppressed.
Smart Strategies and Reliable Representation Inside and Outside the Courtroom
Achieving a successful outcome for your case requires dedication and hard work that begins long before trial. Our team is prepared to provide the full support you need for every stage of the difficult criminal justice process. We strategically develop defenses to serious charges, bring the full force of our negotiation skills to efforts to resolve your case out of court, and diligently prepare for the demands of a trial if necessary.
Contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Today for Help Understanding the Laws of Hit and Run in California
It costs nothing to speak to an experienced Southern California hit and run attorney at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney about the charges you’re facing and your legal options. Through a free consultation, we evaluate the facts of your unique situation and advise you on the avenues for defense available to you. We believe all defendants should go into the criminal justice process as informed as possible, and we’re ready to answer your questions about the charges against you.
For help understanding the laws of hit and run in California, contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call (310) 209-3999 today to schedule a free consultation.
