Were you accused of a hit and run in Los Angeles, CA? What may have been a moment of panic or confusion can lead to criminal charges and the loss of your license. A Los Angeles hit and run defense lawyer at Fight My Ticket can protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.
We have defended drivers across Southern California against traffic and criminal charges for over two decades. We know how to help you fight the changes. Call (323) 435-6045 for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Hire Fight My Ticket to Defend My Hit and Run Case?
A hit and run charge can carry consequences far beyond a typical ticket, including jail time. You need a team that knows California law and can take the offensive with your defense.
Drivers across Los Angeles choose our firm because:
- Two decades of courtroom experience taking on hit and run and other serious traffic charges across Southern California
- A track record of convincing prosecutors to drop or downgrade charges before they reach trial
- Skilled negotiators who know when to pursue a civil compromise to resolve property-damage cases
- Attorneys who can appear on your behalf, sparing you repeated trips to court
- A defense strategy that guards your license and DMV record alongside the criminal case
- Straightforward, affordable rates and a no-cost initial consultation to get started
An accusation does not have to define your future. Call us today and let our team build your defense.
What Is a Hit and Run in California?
A hit and run occurs when a driver is involved in an accident and leaves the scene without stopping to identify themselves or without providing aid. This is a crime even when the accident was not your fault.
California law breaks hit and run into two categories:
- Misdemeanor hit and run (Vehicle Code Section 20002). This applies when the accident caused only property damage, such as damage to another vehicle, a fence, or a parked car.
- Felony hit and run (Vehicle Code Section 20001). This applies when the accident causes injury or death to another person. It is a “wobbler,” meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the harm.
After any accident, California drivers are generally required to stop and provide their name, address, and vehicle information. If anyone is injured, you must render reasonable assistance and notify authorities. If you strike an unattended vehicle or property, you must leave a note with your contact information. Failing to do these things can constitute a hit and run.
Importantly, the law requires that you knew, or reasonably should have known, that you were involved in an accident and that it caused injury or damage. A driver who had no reason to know anyone was hurt may not have committed a crime. Prosecutors must prove not only that you left, but that you left knowing you had a duty to stay.
What Are the Penalties for a Hit and Run?
The penalties for a hit and run depend heavily on whether anyone was hurt. A misdemeanor hit and run involving only property damage can carry:
- Up to six months in county jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Restitution to the property owner
- A term of probation
A hit and run involving injury or death is far more serious:
- Up to one year in county jail and a fine between $1,000 and $10,000 (for misdemeanors)
- 16 months, two years, or three years in state prison, along with a fine between $1,000 and $10,000 (for felonies)
If the accident caused death or permanent, serious injury, a felony conviction can trigger two to four years in state prison
A conviction may also require you to pay restitution for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. A felony conviction, in particular, can leave a lasting mark on your record that can affect employment and insurance for years.
License Points and Suspension
A hit and run does not just affect your freedom and finances. It also hits your driving record. A hit and run conviction adds two points to your California DMV record, the same weight the DMV assigns to a DUI or a reckless driving conviction.
Those points carry real consequences. Under California’s negligent operator rules, the DMV can move to suspend your license if you accumulate too many points, specifically if you acquire 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months.
Because a hit and run adds two points at once, it can quickly push you toward a suspension. A court may impose its own license consequences as part of a sentence.
Collateral Consequences of a Hit and Run
The court-imposed penalties for a hit and run are only part of the story. A conviction can follow you long after any fine is paid or jail term is served, affecting areas of your life that have nothing to do with driving.
Common collateral consequences include:
- Higher insurance costs. A hit and run conviction signals high risk to insurers, who may raise your premiums or cancel your policy altogether.
- A permanent criminal record. A misdemeanor or felony conviction appears on background checks, where it can raise questions from anyone who looks.
- Employment obstacles. Many employers hesitate to hire someone with a conviction involving dishonesty or leaving the scene.
- Professional licensing issues. Certain licensed professionals may face review or discipline from their licensing boards.
- Immigration consequences. For non-citizens, a criminal conviction can complicate visa status, green card applications, and other immigration matters.
- Damage to your reputation. A hit and run accusation can strain personal and professional relationships.
Because these consequences reach so far beyond the courtroom, fighting a hit and run charge is about protecting much more than your immediate penalties. An experienced attorney can work to reduce or dismiss the charge and, in doing so, help you avoid the long-term fallout that comes with a conviction.
What Defenses Are Available in Hit and Run Cases?
A hit and run charge often turns on what you knew and what you did, which leaves real room for a defense. Depending on the facts, common defenses include:
You Did Not Know an Accident Occurred
A hit and run conviction requires proof that you knew, or reasonably should have known, that you were involved in an accident. If you were unaware that you struck another vehicle or object, you lacked the knowledge the law demands. You cannot be guilty of fleeing a collision you did not know about.
There Was No Injury or Property Damage
The legal duties that create a hit and run are triggered by harm, whether to a person or to property. If no one was injured and nothing was actually damaged, those obligations may never have applied to you.
You Were Not the Driver
The prosecution must prove that you were behind the wheel. Mistaken identity is a problem in hit and run cases, especially when a witness only glimpsed a fleeing car or caught a partial license plate. A vehicle registered in your name does not prove you were driving it.
You Actually Stopped and Provided Information
You cannot be convicted of a hit and run if you met your legal obligations at the scene. If you stopped, exchanged information, and did what the law required, then no crime occurred, even if a dispute later arose about the details
You Left Out of Necessity
In rare situations, leaving the scene may be legally justified. If you departed to avoid an emergency or an immediate danger, that necessity can serve as a defense. These cases are fact-specific.
The right defense depends entirely on the details of your case. An experienced attorney can identify which arguments fit and how to present them effectively.
How an Attorney Can Strengthen Your Case
A hit and run charge is not something to face alone. The difference between a conviction and a dismissal often comes down to the strength of your defense and how persuasively your side of the story is presented.
An experienced attorney can:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence such as photos, video, and witness statements
- Challenge whether you knew an accident occurred, which is a required element of the offense
- Question the reliability of any identification of you or your vehicle
- Negotiate with prosecutors to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor or secure a lesser resolution
- Pursue a civil compromise, where paying for the damage can lead to a dismissal in some property-damage cases
- Protect your driving record and fight the related DMV consequences
- Represent you at every court appearance and, if necessary, at trial
Reach out to an attorney today to learn how you might benefit from legal representation.
Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Hit and Run Defense Lawyer
A hit and run accusation is serious, but it does not have to end with you losing your license or freedom. You may be able to reduce the charges and avoid the harshest penalties. Fight My Ticket can help you.
We have more than two decades defending Southern California drivers against traffic and criminal charges. Contact our Los Angeles hit and run defense lawyers today at (323) 435-6045 for a free consultation.
