Compared to a hit and run with only proper damage, a hit and run with a body injuryed can lead to a felony conviction. This charge is more serious, so getting trustworthy legal assistance and advice is essential. You need to understand as much as possible if you or a loved one faces charges of a hit and run with bodily injury.
What Is Hit and Run with Bodily Injury?
California Vehicle Code 20001 (VC 20001) covers the serious crime of hit and run with bodily injury. This law requires that anyone involved in a vehicle accident needs to stop and render aid. Charges under VC 20001 may occur if all of the following apply:
- A vehicular collision occurred
- Someone was injured or filled
- The defendant left the scene without rendering aid and giving contact information
What Types of Punishments Can Happen from a Hit and Run Conviction?
Whether an injury or death occurred determines if this type of charge will be prosecuted as a felony or misdemeanor, each of which has different punishments.
A misdemeanor conviction of this charge with bodily injury results in a fine between $1000 and $10,000, time in state prison or county jail for up to one year, or both.
Felony charges happen if serious injury or death occurred. Punishment for a felony conviction could mean imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years. Alternatively, imprisonment could be in the county jail for 90 days to one year. Fines of between $1000 and $10,000 may accompany imprisonment.
Possible Ways a Defense Attorney May Help
Every legal case is different and requires personalized defense tactics. However, some possible defense options for a hit and run with bodily injury charge may include the following:
- The defendant was not driving
- Bodily injury or death did not occur
- Stopping would have been unsafe at the time
If you have a charge under VC 20001, talk to your lawyer about possible defense options for your case. You may require different methods than those above, depending on the circumstances of your situation.
Connect with an Orange County Defense Lawyer with Decades of Experience
If you are charged with a hit and run with bodily injury, you don’t have to feel alone. Contact Steven K. Bloom to get legal help from an Orange County defense attorney who has years of experience helping people with cases like yours. Having hit and run charges against you may seem daunting, but you don’t have to be alone through the process.
Sources
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=20001.&lawCode=VEH
https://www.skbesq.com/contact/
