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Hit and Run Attorney in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Hit and Run 20002 (a) VC
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The crime of hit and run in the city and county of Los Angeles may be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances and the damage caused. California law states that drivers must stop and exchange information after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. If you flee the scene, you could face serious criminal charges and legal consequences worse than if you had simply stayed at the scene of the accident.
California Vehicle Code 20002 addresses this type of offense, covering situations where property damage occurs but there are no injuries or deaths. For example, if you collide with another vehicle or property and fail to identify yourself, you may be charged with this offense.
If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to seek advice from a trusted attorney. At Progresso Legal Group, we have served families for more than 25 years, one family at a time. We will review the details of your case and provide you with a strong defense throughout the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
If you are involved in an accident in California that only causes property damage, leaving the scene without identifying yourself may result in misdemeanor charges under Vehicle Code 20002. For example, if you are involved in a minor collision on the busy streets of Los Angeles and drive away, or if you hit someone’s fence and flee, you could face legal consequences.
Under Vehicle Code 20002, you must stop at the nearest safe location after an accident, provide your name and address to the other party, and offer your driver’s license and vehicle registration if requested—even if it is not requested, as failing to do so may bring consequences. Even if you are not the owner of the vehicle, you must provide information about the owner. If you hit a parked vehicle or property, you must leave a note and notify the police.
Remember, fault does not matter in these situations. Although Vehicle Code 20002 does not require exchanging insurance details, another section, California Vehicle Code 16025, does require it, with a $250 fine for failing to comply.
Elements of a Hit and Run Offense
For the Los Angeles County prosecutor to convict you of a misdemeanor hit and run in violation of California Vehicle Code 20002, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following “elements of the crime” listed in CALCRIM 2150:
- You were involved in an accident while driving a vehicle.
- The accident caused damage to another person’s property.
- You knew you were involved in an accident that caused damage, or you knew from the nature of the accident that it was likely property damage occurred.
- You willfully failed to immediately stop at the scene of the accident and/or did not provide identification information to the owner of the damaged property.
California hit and run laws require that all drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident stop immediately to exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver, regardless of who is at fault. Failure to do so may result in misdemeanor or felony hit and run charges. Hit and run accidents often involve single-vehicle or multi-vehicle accidents where a driver leaves the scene after colliding with property, another vehicle, or a person.
Types of Hit and Run Cases We Handle Most Frequently
- The driver crashes into a telephone pole causing property damage
- The driver hits a parked vehicle and leaves property damage
- The driver crashes into other obstacles causing property damage
- The driver strikes a pedestrian or runner causing serious injury or death due to negligence
- Hit and Run as a Misdemeanor or Felony
The level of the offense will depend on the severity of the accident. A hit and run accident that does not involve injuries will most likely be charged as a misdemeanor. The seriousness of the injury is the determining factor in accidents involving injuries. Misdemeanor charges will be filed if the other party suffers minor injuries (neck, back, or soft-tissue injuries). However, if the other party suffers serious injury (a fracture or injury requiring long-term rehabilitation or recovery), you may face felony hit and run charges.
Many drivers who leave the scene of an accident do so out of fear of being caught for another offense. Therefore, when they are caught for hit and run, they are likely to face multiple charges such as:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol / DUI
- Driving a stolen vehicle
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Driving with a suspended license
- Driving without auto insurance
- Reckless driving
- Resisting arrest
- Evading a police officer
Crimes Related to Hit and Run
- California Vehicle Code 20001 – Felony Hit and Run
- California Vehicle Code 23152 – Driving Under the Influence
- California Vehicle Code 23153 – Driving Under the Influence Causing Injury
- California Vehicle Code Section 14601 – Driving with a Suspended License
- California Vehicle Code 12500(a) – Driving Without a License
Legal Defenses for Hit and Run Charges
There are several potential defenses to hit and run charges in violation of California Vehicle Code 20002. Every case is unique and requires a detailed review by our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys. However, the most common legal defenses include the following:
Lack of knowledge: The prosecutor must prove that you knew you caused property damage or reasonably should have known under the circumstances.
You were not the driver: The prosecutor must also prove that you were the driver of the vehicle. Being the registered owner of the vehicle does not always mean you were driving it.
The damaged property was only your vehicle: If the only damage was to your own vehicle and you did not damage anyone else’s property, there is no criminal liability under Vehicle Code 20002.
Legal Penalties for Hit and Run
If you are convicted of hit and run in violation of California Vehicle Code 20002, you will be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Legal penalties include up to 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Depending on your prior criminal record, the judge will generally order three years of probation and require you to complete community service.
Additionally, if you caused the accident, you will be ordered to pay restitution to the victim for the damage to their property. A conviction also places two points on your California DMV record, which will increase the cost of your insurance. In many cases, such as a first offense without alcohol involved, a “civil compromise” under California Penal Code Section 1377 may be allowed. This would result in the dismissal of hit and run charges after you have fully compensated the victim for the property damage.
Legal Defenses for Hit and Run Charges
There are several potential defenses to hit and run charges in violation of California Vehicle Code 20002. Each case is unique and requires a detailed review by our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys. However, the most common legal defenses include the following:
- Lack of knowledge: The prosecutor must prove that you knew you caused property damage or reasonably should have known under the circumstances.
- You were not the driver: The prosecutor must prove that you were the driver of the vehicle. Being the registered owner does not necessarily mean you were driving it.
- The damaged property was only your vehicle: If the only damage was to your vehicle and not to another person’s property, there is no criminal liability under Vehicle Code 20002.
“Do Not Speak With the Police”
It is never advisable to make statements to the police or to any insurance company (regardless of who is at fault) without consulting an attorney experienced in these types of specialized matters. Early intervention by our office often makes a significant difference in the decision whether to file criminal charges.
If you have been involved in an accident but left the scene without exchanging your license and insurance information, contact us today for a free consultation with our Hit and Run attorneys in Los Angeles.
“Progresso Legal Group” Your Legal Defense Team on Your Side
Our attorneys at Progresso Legal Group have been serving families for more than 25 years in Hit and Run cases in Los Angeles, gaining daily courtroom experience and successfully resolving hundreds of similar cases. Our effective defense strategies have frequently led to the dismissal or reduction of charges. Early intervention by our office has been key to these results.
If you have been accused of hit and run in violation of California Vehicle Code 20002, contact our Los Angeles criminal defense firm to review the details of your case and your legal options. In some cases, there may be an ongoing hit and run investigation that you are not aware of, and having an experienced attorney by your side during these early stages may be vital to resolving your case before formal charges are filed.
We have a record of success in all types of criminal cases and will work aggressively to obtain the best possible outcome.
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