(561)988-8000 Leaving the Scene of Crash Case Resolved Without Conviction, Probation, Points, or License Suspension
Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage / Unattended Property (Fla. Stat. §316.063(1)) – Coral Springs, Broward County, Florida
Leifert & Leifert represented a client charged in Broward County with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage following a parking lot accident investigation conducted by the Coral Springs Police Department. Prosecutors alleged that the client backed her vehicle into a parked SUV in a commercial parking lot located at Westview Drive in Coral Springs and then left the scene without providing the information required under Florida law.
According to the traffic crash report and charging documents, law enforcement alleged that the client was operating a black 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 when, while backing out of a parking space, the rear bumper of her vehicle collided with the right rear bumper of a parked 2024 Lincoln Navigator. Investigators alleged that the collision caused damage to the parked vehicle, including damage to sensors located in the rear bumper area.
Police reports further alleged that:
- the owner of the parked vehicle had briefly entered a nearby Target store,
- an anonymous witness left a handwritten note on the victim vehicle identifying the Mercedes and license plate,
- and the client allegedly departed the area before law enforcement arrived.
The investigating officers later traveled to the client’s residence in Coral Springs, where they allegedly attempted to contact the driver through family members before eventually making direct contact with the client. According to the police narrative, the client acknowledged that she had been involved in a minor collision and stated that she briefly spoke with an unidentified individual at the scene who allegedly advised her there was no damage to the other vehicle before she departed.
As a result of the investigation, the State Attorney’s Office formally filed a misdemeanor charge for Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage pursuant to Fla. Stat. §316.063(1).
The allegations exposed the client to serious consequences, including:
- a criminal conviction,
- probation,
- fines and court costs,
- points on the client’s driving record,
- increased insurance consequences,
- and a potential driver’s license suspension.
After being retained, Leifert & Leifert conducted a detailed review of:
- the crash report,
- body worn camera evidence,
- witness information,
- scene details,
- and all discovery materials provided by the State Attorney’s Office.
The defense carefully analyzed the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the relatively minor nature of the contact, the absence of injuries, the client’s statements regarding her understanding that no significant damage had occurred, and mitigation factors relevant to the prosecution and ultimate resolution of the case.
Through strategic advocacy and negotiations with the prosecution, Leifert & Leifert was able to secure a highly favorable resolution substantially limiting the long-term impact of the allegations.
RESULT: Leifert & Leifert successfully resolved the case without any criminal conviction, probation, driver’s license suspension, or points being assessed against the client’s driving record.
OUTCOME: The client avoided the substantial consequences typically associated with a criminal traffic offense involving leaving the scene of a crash and was able to move forward without probation, loss of driving privileges, or a criminal conviction.
This case demonstrates the importance of experienced representation in traffic and criminal driving-related offenses, particularly where a seemingly minor parking lot accident can quickly escalate into a criminal charge carrying significant collateral consequences. Through careful review of the evidence, mitigation, and strategic negotiation, Leifert & Leifert was able to obtain a resolution that protected the client’s record and driving privileges.
Traffic Offense
Hit-and-Run Charges Dismissed After Successful Completion of Broward Diversion Program
Our client was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage, in violation of Florida Statute §316.061(1), and Careless Driving, in violation of Florida Statute §316.1925, following a traffic incident in Weston, Broward County, Florida.
According to law enforcement, the incident involved an alleged rear-end collision at an intersection in Weston. Investigators reported that video footage from another vehicle allegedly showed the client’s vehicle striking the rear of another car and then leaving the scene without providing identifying information as required by Florida law. Witnesses reported property damage to the other vehicle estimated to exceed $5,800, and investigators relied on video evidence and witness identification procedures during their investigation.
The case was formally filed by the Broward State Attorney’s Office, exposing the client to criminal prosecution, possible conviction, and significant long-term consequences associated with a hit-and-run-related offense.
Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, the defense immediately engaged with prosecutors and evaluated available legal and factual defenses. Through strategic negotiation and advocacy, the defense was able to demonstrate that the client was an appropriate first-time offender and a strong candidate for an alternative resolution rather than traditional prosecution.
As a result of these efforts, the defense successfully negotiated the client’s acceptance into Broward County’s Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MDP) — a structured program designed to allow eligible individuals to resolve charges without a permanent criminal record.
The client successfully completed all required conditions of the diversion program, including compliance with all program requirements and court-related obligations.
Result: Following successful completion of the Broward County Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MDP), the State Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges against the client.
Outcome: The client avoided a criminal conviction, maintained a clean record as a first-time offender, and did not receive a driver’s license suspension. This resolution allowed the client to move forward without the lasting consequences associated with a hit-and-run-related charge.
This case demonstrates the value of early legal intervention, proactive negotiation, and familiarity with local diversion options when defending individuals facing misdemeanor traffic-related criminal charges.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Injury – Client Avoided Jail and Conviction on Leaving the Scene Charge
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Personal Injury (Fla. Stat. §316.027(2)(a)) and DUI with Property Damage and Personal Injury (Fla. Stat. §§316.193(1), 316.193(3)(c)(1)) – Coral Springs, Broward County, Florida
Leifert & Leifert represented a client charged in Broward County with serious criminal traffic offenses arising from an alleged pedestrian crash in Coral Springs, Florida. Prosecutors alleged that the client struck a pedestrian with his vehicle during the early morning hours near West Atlantic Boulevard and then unlawfully left the scene without providing information or rendering aid.
According to the charging documents and police reports, officers responded to a report of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash involving a minor victim near an apartment complex entrance in Coral Springs. Witnesses alleged that the client’s vehicle made contact with the pedestrian as the pedestrian attempted to cross near the roadway entrance. Investigators claimed the victim was knocked to the ground and sustained injuries to the leg and side of the body.
Law enforcement further alleged that after the collision, the vehicle briefly stopped before leaving the area without remaining at the scene. Witnesses reportedly provided police with a description of the vehicle and partial tag information, which investigators later used to identify the client.
Police later located the vehicle and made contact with the client. According to the reports, officers observed signs they associated with alcohol impairment and initiated a DUI investigation. Officers alleged the client demonstrated indicators of impairment during field sobriety exercises and later submitted breath samples during the investigation.
As a result, the client was formally charged with:
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Personal Injury,
- DUI with Property Damage and Personal Injury,
- and related traffic offenses.
The allegations exposed the client to substantial criminal penalties, including:
- possible incarceration,
- probation,
- lengthy driver’s license consequences,
- significant financial penalties,
- and the long-term ramifications associated with a conviction for Leaving the Scene involving bodily injury.
After being retained, Leifert & Leifert conducted a detailed review of the allegations, witness statements, crash investigation materials, body camera evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the identification of the vehicle and driver. The defense carefully analyzed issues relating to causation, witness observations, accident reconstruction factors, and the State’s burden of proving knowledge and intent under Florida’s Leaving the Scene statute.
The defense also engaged in extensive negotiations and mitigation efforts aimed at minimizing the long-term impact of the case and avoiding the severe penalties that often accompany felony Leaving the Scene allegations involving personal injury.
Despite the seriousness of the accusations — including allegations that the client struck and ran over a pedestrian before leaving the scene — Leifert & Leifert successfully secured a resolution that avoided incarceration and prevented a conviction on the Leaving the Scene charge.
RESULT: The case was resolved without any jail sentence, and the client avoided a conviction for Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Personal Injury.
OUTCOME: The client avoided incarceration, avoided the long-term consequences associated with a conviction for Leaving the Scene involving injury, and obtained a substantially more favorable outcome than originally anticipated given the severity of the allegations and the potential felony exposure involved.
