What Can I Do if Involved in Hit and Run Causing Death?
California Vehicle Code 20001 VC defines the crime of felony hit and runs causing injury or death. Put simply; this statute prohibits leaving the scene of a car accident when someone was injured or killed, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
In other words, if the other driver was clearly at fault for causing the collision, and you just left the scene, you could be charged with violating VC 20001 felony hit and run felony. Vehicle Code 20001 VC states:
- “Any driver of a vehicle that was involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to another person, other than themselves, must immediately stop their vehicle at the scene of the accident….”
You are legally required to stop and exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. If the vehicle collision resulted in injuries to another person, then a failure to stop could result in felony charges being filed against you. Some common examples of violating VC 20001 felony hit and run law:
- Striking and killing a pedestrian in a crosswalk with your vehicle and immediately fleeing the scene of the accident;
- DUI driver becomes involved in a severe vehicle accident with another driver and quickly drives or runs away from the scene.
For more information, our Los Angeles criminal attorneys are providing a review of the law below.
How Can a Felony Hit and Run Case Be Proven?
A prosecutor must prove several factors to convict you of violating Vehicle Code 20001 VC.
These are called the “elements of the crime” and listed under CALCRIM 2140 California Criminal Jury Instructions, that:
- you were driving a vehicle that was involved in an accident;
- the accident caused an injury or death to someone;
- you knew or should have reasonably known, the accident injured or killed another person;
- you willfully failed to stop at the scene of the accident immediately, or
- give reasonable assistance to injured people, or
- leave your personal information with someone at the scene.
Related California crimes for Vehicle Code 20001 VC felony hit and run include:
- Vehicle Code 20002 VC – misdemeanor hit and run,
- Vehicle Code 23152(a) VC – driving under the influence,
- Vehicle Code 23153 VC – DUI causing injury,
- Penal Code 191(c) – vehicular manslaughter,
- Penal Code 187 PC – murder.
Punishments for VC 20001 Felony Hit and Run
As stated, Vehicle Code 20001 is a “wobbler” offense that can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony crime. If convicted of a misdemeanor hit and run, the penalties include up to one year in the county jail, and a fine of up to $1,000
If convicted of a felony hit and run, the penalties include up to four years in the California state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. It's worth noting that the judge could decide to impose felony probation rather than incarceration in prison.
Defending Felony Hit and Run Cases
Believe it or not, Vehicle Code 20001 VC felony hit and runs happen all the time, and unfortunately, death results, and the person involved leaves the scene many times. They were either:
- under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or
- maybe they were driving too fast;
- maybe they were scared;
- maybe they didn't have a driver's license.
There are all sorts of reasons why people leave the scene where an accident happens, and they know they may have seriously injured or killed another party. Sometimes the victims are on foot; other times, the victims are in a car. The first thing you can do is meet with a criminal defense attorney like me who's been handling these hit and run cases causing death now for almost 30 years. What that will do for you is:
- number one, give you some information about how authorities deal with this serious hit and run cases,
- how they investigate them, and
- if they end up arresting you, what they might do to you,
- what your bail might be, how much time in custody that you'd be facing.
At least with this information, you start to get some control back of your situation instead of being worried and looking over your shoulder. Did somebody get your license plate, are they able to track your vehicle, did somebody follow you, are you going to be arrested?
At least you'll have an attorney with you that knows what they're doing and knows how to handle these types of cases; answer all your questions, so you know what you're up against. We also know how to best defend DUI hit-and-run cases.
Bail Issues in VC 20001 Felony Hit and Run Cases
I think the second thing is, if something does happen — you get arrested for California Vehicle Code 20001 VC felony hit and run, then you will already have an attorney on board. Someone who knows your case and someone who knows your situation and can act immediately to try to get you out of custody.
What will end up happening if you get arrested for a hit and run where the death occurred? Within a couple of days, you'll be brought in front of a magistrate/judge.
Then, you'll be given your charges, and obviously, your entitled would be entitled to be there. A new court date will be set, and the judge will deal with bail. Bail is going to be dependent on several factors. First and foremost:
- what did they charge you with?
- did they charge you with just a VC 20001 hit and run involving death? or
- did they charge you with Penal Code 187 PC murder, depending on how recklessly you were driving, and
- what were the specific circumstances at the time of the hit and run?
- whether you have any prior failure to appear,
- you prior criminal record.
There will be a presumptive bail that the judges have come up with for whatever charges there are. Of course, your attorney will be able to argue your bail for you. They're assessing, number one, whether or not you're going to be a flight risk and a danger to the community, number two. The more dangerous the prosecutors can argue that you are, the more likely your bail will be significant.
Taking Command of the Hit and Run Case
Step number one is getting to an attorney. When they meet with me, please tell me the truth about what happened. Anything that we discuss, even if you decide not to hire me, is confidential. So, because you have that confidentiality and the ability to talk to the attorney and give him all the information regarding your situation, you should feel secure, be honest with the attorney, and tell them what's going on.
Then you can take the first step towards taking command of the situation instead of just burying your head in the sand and hoping for the best. Nobody wants to live a life like that. Nobody wants to be in that position.
Also, if you decide to deal with the hit-and-run case, depending on what is discussed with your attorney and what you choose, you will be in a much stronger position trying to resolve it. If, on the other hand, you decide not to deal with the case, at least you'll have your attorney at the ready.
But know that if they catch you because you didn't deal with the case and you just buried your head in the sand, they're going to be much harsher on you when it comes to bail. Also, when it comes to your punishment, the judge and the prosecutor, and any potential jury, will have the perception that you were never going to turn yourself in.
That you were never going to come to justice for what happened, and they'll use that against you to give you a much higher sentence and a much more severe punishment. I stand at the ready to help you to get you moving in the right direction — give you some of your peace of mind back, protect your rights, your interest, and your freedom.
Hedding Law Firm is located in Los Angeles County at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436. Contact our firm for a free consultation at (213) 542-0940.
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