CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

DUI Hit and Run in Los Angeles

Hit and Run and DUI: What You Need to Know

Every driver’s worst nightmare is getting into a collision, especially if they are under the influence. California law mandates that if an individual is part of a traffic accident, they must remain at the scene to exchange contact and insurance information with other parties involved. If you leave before exchanging the necessary contact information, you may face charges of a hit and run. When you add into the mix a DUI, it becomes more complicated.

Hit and run accidents are often perpetrated by drivers under the influence. Drunk drivers may flee the scene to avoid arrest, leaving the other party without any information. If you are an intoxicated driver and leave the scene, you could be facing both a DUI and a hit and run charge. The particular charge levied depends on a variety of factors.

DUI and Hit and Run Defenses

It’s common for drivers under the influence to become nervous after an accident and leave immediately. In most cases, witnesses to the collision can write down the license plate’s information and report it to the police officer when they arrive at the scene. There are many occasions where the hit and run driver is apprehended by a police officer not long after the accident.

After the police officer completes a DUI investigation, they may decide to add a hit and run charge. When the accident only causes property damage, the driver is usually charged with a misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor hit and run according to California Vehicle Code Section 20002 VC. However, suppose there are injuries as a result of the collision. In that case, the driver may face DUI with injury charges under California Vehicle Code Section 23153 VC or even a felony hit and run under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 VC. DUI and hit and run offenders, if convicted, could face years in jail, which is why they should seek legal assistance from experienced DUI attorneys, like Todd Spodek.

In some instances, cases of hit and run that involve a DUI might have a legitimate defense. Hit and run is a conscious act, and there are cases where the driver had no idea they were involved in an accident. It’s worth noting that there have been many instances where the driver was moving their car to a secure location intending to return to the scene. Additionally, the driver may have felt threatened by the other party, thereby necessitating leaving the scene.

Circumstantial Evidence

Sometimes, authorities may have difficulty proving that the driver was under the influence. The police may find the driver after the accident and use indirect evidence to conclude they were under the influence at the time of the collision. Consequently, some cases may require expert witnesses to testify regarding the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the accident.

Contact Todd Spodek Today

If you’re facing charges of DUI and hit and run or any other criminal offenses in Los Angeles, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with the Spodek Law Group. Our experienced lawyers can assess your case’s details and provide you with a sound legal defense. We work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive a fair and reasonable outcome to their case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Hit and Run Charges can be Complicated

Getting into an accident can be stressful for drivers, especially if they are under the influence. According to California law, when a driver is part of a traffic accident, they must stay at the scene to exchange information with the other party involved in the collision. However, when a driver leaves the scene of the accident without exchanging contact information, it can lead to a hit and run charge. The charges can be particularly arduous when coupled with a DUI charge.

Hit and Run Defenses

Many drivers are unaware that they’ve been involved in a hit and run due to their intoxicated mental state. With hit and run charges being premeditated, many accounts of defendance such as the driver was not aware of their involvement can be taken into account. In some cases, the driver felt threatened by the other party and left the scene in fear; they are also given strength in defense.

Circumstantial Evidence

In some cases, authorities may have difficulty proving whether the driver was under the influence during the collision. The police may find the driver after the accident, and then use circumstantial evidence to conclude that they were driving under the influence at the time of the accident. It’s common for the police department to use the driver behavior, and their speech as a form of evidence.

It’s crucial to get legal help from experienced attorneys like Todd Spodek

If you or someone you know is facing a DUI and hit and run charge, legal help is advisable immediately. In Los Angeles, hiring experienced DUI attorneys like Todd Spodek can provide valuable counsel throughout the process. After a careful evaluation of the case, our attorneys create compelling defenses, ensuring that clients receive a fair and reasonable outcome to their case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.