Review of Case Strategy to Defend Hit and Run Case
The San Fernando Valley has a lot of drivers. There are a lot of accidents, and unfortunately, a lot of people will leave the scene of a crime. They will get involved in an accident and either leave their car there and flee on foot, or they will drive away after either hitting somebody on the road or in a parking lot.
California misdemeanor hit and run charges are defined under California Vehicle Code 20002, the most common cases. Felony hit and run charges are defined under Vehicle Code 20001. If you find yourself in the unenviable position of being investigated or charged with a hit and run case in the San Fernando Valley, you've come to the right place.
I've handled thousands of these cases over the many years that I've been practicing criminal defense. The Valley Traffic Division and the various other police agencies around the San Fernando Valley are the ones that handle these hit-and-run cases.
You must get to an attorney right away and handle the case correctly. One of the biggest schemes that the police pull when it comes to these hit and run cases is that they do the best they can to get ahold of your car and not let it go until you go in and make a statement incriminate yourself.
This is why it's so important to get an attorney like me who has the experience and knows how to handle these cases. If you're charged with a hit and run, pick up the phone. If you're being investigated for a hit and run in the San Fernando Valley, pick up the phone. Ask to speak to Ron Hedding. Let's talk about the following crucial factors on your hit and run case:
- what your best strategy is;
- whether it makes sense for you to go in and try to get your vehicle out;
- whether it makes sense for you to make a statement;
- whether it is conduct that leads to a hit and run charge.
Sometimes you can't exchange information. Sometimes the other party is so volatile and violent that it leaves you no choice but to leave the scene of the accident.
Factors Considered By Prosecutors on Hit and Run Cases
The key is that the prosecutors, when people get involved in an accident and leave suspect many different things. First, they're going to imagine that you might be driving under the influence, and that's why you left your car.
That's why you drove away. Maybe you didn't have a driver's license; perhaps you didn't have insurance. Whatever the case may be, they're looking at a reason why somebody would leave the scene of the accident.
If there is no reason you would leave, then maybe there's some other explanation for your conduct, and that's where your criminal defense attorney comes in.
The way they get you in hit and run cases is that you get in an accident, either property damage or injure somebody. You fail to identify yourself — you leave the scene before giving your name, phone number, and insurance information.
As long as you give your insurance information, even if you hit an unoccupied car, you're good if you put your insurance information there and your name and phone number.
The bottom line, though is, anytime you get in an accident, and there's any question where you might be able to be charged with a hit and run, what you ought to do is all call 9-1-1. This does a lot of things. Number one documents that you made the call because you can't get rid of the 9001 calls.
Second, the police or dispatcher can advise you on what you need to do. Once you follow their instructions, once you've documented that you've called, you identified yourself, your good.
Call the Hedding Law Firm If Charged With Hit and Run
I can't tell you how many clients call me in the San Fernando Valley saying they were in an accident ad they failed to do one crucial thing. Call 9-1-1. It's an emergency. Your car's been damaged. Maybe the other party is acting crazy, yelling at you, but if you leave the scene and there's been any type of impact or property damage, and you don't give your information, you put yourself in a vulnerable position.
I can get on it right away and start making some rules that will protect you, your rights, freedom, reputation, and your career. Pick up the phone and ask to speak to Ron Hedding immediately if you've got a hit-and-run situation in the San Fernando Valley. Hedding Law Firm is a Los Angeles-based criminal defense law firm, and we offer a free case review at (213) 542-0940 or fill out our contact form.
Related:
Difference Between a Felony and Misdemeanor Hit and Run
