Phoenix Hit and Run Attorney
Did you get into a car accident and failed to stop to help or speak to the victim and the police responding to the scene? Contact The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC to help you with the legal charges pressed against you and provide legal advice and support as your case is being heard.
For the majority of us, we rely on vehicles to get from point A to B. While most of the time, the journey is smooth, getting into a car accident can happen at any time. When it happens, the first reaction we may have is to leave because of its legal implications, especially if you are the one who caused the accident. However, the legal implications of running away from the accident are severe as Arizona has very strict laws. So, what can you do?
If you find yourself in a hit-and-run situation, The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC is a criminal law firm you can contact immediately for legal advice. Our team can help you with your Phoenix hit and run case from the moment the accident happens. Let our team know the details, and we will give you all the legal advice you need to navigate the case. We will also assist you in fighting the charges in court and help you fight for a lighter sentence if possible.
Call The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC today at (480) 630-1143 for your Initial Consultation with a Phoenix Hit and Run attorney!
Definition of Hit and Run in Phoenix, Arizona
In Arizona, a person involved must stay at the scene of a car accident or return as soon as possible. They must also provide their key information to the other driver, in case they are the ones who caused the accident, or to the authorities in case they know anything about it. Failure to do so can lead to a hit-and-run charge, which can become severe if other crimes are committed during the accident.
Here are some other examples of situations that can lead to a hit-and-run charge:
- The accident caused vehicle damage with no injuries, but you left the crime scene without providing the victim with key information to resolve any possible damages.
- You hit a parking vehicle and left the scene without providing information or assessing the damage.
- You left the accident site after causing damage to non-vehicle property.
- You refused or failed to exchange information at the scene of the accident.
- You left the accident site after getting into an accident that caused injury or death.
Our legal experts at The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC are only a call away in providing you with legal advice if you find yourself in any of these situations. When you call, let us know the details of the situation before you, and we will direct you about what you should do before you speak to the authorities. We can also assist with compensation or claim settlement, as well as the negotiations once we are able to join you.
Hit and Run-Related Offenses
Hit-and-run cases vary in terms of the severity of the accident and the condition of the driver who caused the accident. Because of these facts, hit-and-run cases often include other offenses that influence the court’s verdict.
The most notable hit-and-run-related offenses are as follows:
- Felony hit and run – This offense occurs if a person does not stop after an accident and the accident causes serious physical injury or death.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – This offense occurs when a person drives or has physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol, drugs, vapor that contains toxic substances, or all three. They will face penalties for both offenses if they commit both DUI and hit-and-run.
- Reckless driving – If a person drives their vehicle with reckless disregard for the safety of those around them, they are guilty of committing reckless driving.
When we review your hit-and-run case, we will also look into what other possible crimes you have violated or committed, which can affect the penalties you may face. We will explain their impact on your case and identify the best legal defense to get you through these multiple charges.
Penalties for Hit and Run Cases
Depending on the circumstances of the case, most hit-and-run cases can be either a Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor. While a person can be charged with more than one misdemeanor, they will only face one misdemeanor sentence if found guilty of the crime. Under Arizona law, the penalties will be dictated by the most severe misdemeanor included in the charges.
Class 2 misdemeanor hit-and-run charges will come with penalties of up to 4 months in jail, 2 years probation, and fines up to $750, including surcharges. If it is a Class 3 misdemeanor hit and run charge, it will come with a 30-day jail sentence, 1-year probation, and fines up to $500 with surcharges included. Additional penalties can also be included depending on the nature of the misdemeanor, such as license suspension, restitution, alcohol treatment, community service, counseling, and restrictions in getting car insurance or loans.
For Phoenix hit and run cases classified as felonies, it will come with lengthy penalties once the defendant is convicted, and they are as follows:
- If the driver caused the accident, caused serious injury or death, and left the scene, they can be charged with a Class 2 felony. It will lead to probation and jail time from four to 10 years for first offenses or longer if they have a prior conviction. Their driver’s license will also be revoked for up to 10 years, and they will have to pay a fine of up to $750 with surcharges.
- If the driver did not cause the accident but left the scene, even if there has been serious injury or death due to the accident, they can be charged with Class 3 felony. If convicted, they can face probation or prison time from 2 and a half years to 7 years if the driver has a prior conviction. Their driver’s license will also be revoked for 5 years once convicted, and they will face fines of up to $750 with surcharges.
- If the driver left the accident area, which involved non-serious injuries, they could face a Class 5 felony. They can face probation and prison time from 9 months to 2 years if convicted. Their driver’s license will also be revoked for 3 years.
Aside from the mandatory sentences for either felony or misdemeanor charges, the court can also add other penalties for those convicted. For instance, if they have committed another crime during the same accident, such as DUI, they will serve the penalties for both crimes. The defendant will also face legal consequences such as losing their right to own firearms and disabling them from keeping their professional license to work.
Since we started offering our legal service to clients, The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC can understand the potential penalties a client can face once we know all the key information about the case. We will then personalize the legal defense we will take to try negotiating for a lighter penalty if possible. We will do our best to prepare you for any penalty that may be given for your case.
Talk to Our Legal Experts Today
Whether it is you who caused the vehicle accident or you know key information about the accident, you shouldn’t immediately run, even if you fear the legal consequences brought by the situation. You can use legal avenues to fight the charges that the police may throw at you, and should you be found guilty, you can fight for a lighter sentence.
With our experts on Phoenix hit and run cases available to help you with your case, you will never go wrong with The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC. Our Phoenix, AZ criminal law firm is always ready to answer your questions, explain the charges you may face, and defend your interests in court using the ideal legal defense that matches your case. Don’t hesitate to contact us anytime to get started.
Call The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC today at (480) 630-1143 for your Initial Consultation with a Phoenix Hit and Run attorney!