(561) 988-8000 Committing a hit and run—also known as leaving the scene of an accident—in the State of Florida is a serious criminal offense that can be charged as either a Misdemeanor or a Felony depending on the circumstances of the accident. Receiving such a charge could be frightening and overwhelming and may leave you unsure of how to proceed.
Whether the accident you were involved in was a fender bender or a serious incident, penalties for a hit and run accident conviction could be severe—regardless if you are an adult or a juvenile. As such, it may be important for you to reach out to a skilled traffic defense Attorney who is familiar with hit and run accidents and the laws that may apply to such a case. Meet with a Boca Raton hit and run accident Lawyer from Leifert & Leifert for a free consultation to explore different defense strategy possibilities and begin fighting your charge.
Defining Hit and Run
According to Florida Statutes § 316.062, an individual involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in property damage, injury, or death is required to provide personal information to the respective property owner, occupant of the other vehicle, driver of the other vehicle, and/or police officer at the scene. The driver is also required by law to provide aid to anyone injured in the accident. When someone fails to do so, they may be charged with hit and run.
Potential Hit and Run Penalties in Boca Raton
If a person is accused of committing a hit and run, there are different potential punishments depending on the circumstances of the accident. When someone leaves the scene of an accident that resulted in property damage, they could be charged with a Second-Degree Misdemeanor. This may result in up to 60 days in county jail and fines of up to $500.
When someone leaves the scene of an accident that resulted in one or more individuals being injured, they may be charged with a Third-Degree Felony. Additionally, this could result in a sentence of up to five years in prison as well as fines of up to $5,000.
Furthermore, if someone leaves the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of one or more individuals, they typically would be charged with a First-Degree Felony. A conviction for such a charge could result in up to 30 years in prison plus fines of up to $10,000.
Before speaking to Law Enforcement, any individual accused of hit and run should speak to a hit and run accident Lawyer in Boca Raton to explore their options and develop a game plan for moving forward with a legally valid defense.
How to Protect Oneself During a Hit and Run Investigation
The first thing to know about hit and run investigations is that they serve as a way for Law Enforcement to obtain more information about an incident. Police are attempting to obtain evidence to build criminal charges against a driver.
Unfortunately, much of this investigation is out of the subject’s control. Police may talk with the other involved drivers and passengers. They may also obtain traffic camera footage and witness statements.
In other instances, they may ask a suspect to come to the police station to provide a written statement. This is the most dangerous time during an investigation. Many people attend these sessions in an attempt to clear their name. In reality, the outcome of these meetings is rarely beneficial. Police Officers investigating a case where you are a suspect are not your friends. It is advisable to consult with an Attorney before responding to these requests for information. A Lawyer in Boca Raton could provide the help people need when they learn they are the subject of a hit and run investigation.
The Basis for Hit and Run Arrests
A pair of statutes under the state’s criminal code makes leaving the scene of an accident a crime. One is Florida Statute § 316.061, which makes it a Misdemeanor to flee from the scene of an accident that results in damage to another’s vehicle. Convictions under this law could result in a Jail sentence of up to one year.
Other cases will revolve around allegations that a driver left the scene of a crash that resulted in physical injury or death to another person. According to Florida Statute § 316.027, these cases are Felonies where convictions can result in a Prison term of up to 20 years.
By their nature, these arrests in Boca Raton often occur days or even weeks after the hit and run accident. Because of this, hiring a Lawyer to handle the case could help an individual prepare official statements to provide to Law Enforcement if an arrest becomes unavoidable.
Providing Legal Protection After an Arrest
While an arrest upon suspicion of a hit and run may seem like the end of the Police work in a case, this is never the truth. Officers continue to attempt to obtain additional information about the alleged offense in the hours following an arrest and formal booking. This can take the form of:
- Requesting that arrestees make formal, recorded statements.
- Placing informants in holding cells
- Demanding that arrestees provide more information about themselves and their vehicles than is necessary for the booking process.
Having an Attorney by one’s side during this process can act as a shield against these aggressive and powerful tactics. A Lawyer can help guide the formal interrogation process and advise people when to remain silent. They can also push for a quick appearance in Court for an arraignment likely to result in a release on bail. In short, while an arrest for a hit-and-run in Boca Raton may be unavoidable, having an attorney can help limit the damaging impact of this event on a person’s future.
Speak to a Boca Raton Hit and Run Accident Attorney
Leaving an accident without checking on and providing personal contact information with the other party could lead to a hit and run charge. If you are accused of leaving the scene of an accident, you may want to seek the legal advice of a knowledgeable Boca Raton hit and run accident Lawyer as soon as possible to explore potential options for a defense strategy.
Our legal team at Leifert & Leifert could work on your behalf to establish a credible legal defense and possibly advocate on your behalf in front of a Judge. Be sure to reach out today to an Attorney who understands hit and run accident cases and the complexities surrounding them.
