Oakland County Hit & Run Lawyer
Being involved in an accident is a stressful experience regardless of fault. However, leaving the scene of an accident without proper reporting is against Michigan law and can lead to serious criminal charges. As a licensed driver in the state, you are expected to understand this and abide by it.
Specifically, hit and run violates Michigan Vehicle Code Section 257.617, which mandates that individuals involved in a vehicular accident resulting in property damage, injury, or death must remain at the scene, provide personal identification, and render aid if necessary.
If you or someone you love is under a criminal investigation or has been arrested for this offense in and around Oakland County, it is vital that you seek legal representation. At HJP Legal, our criminal defense lawyer is highly experienced and skilled in protecting client rights and fighting for optimum results. Attorney Peters understands the high stakes in hit-and-run charges and can aggressively advocate for you throughout the legal process.
Schedule a confidential consultation with our Oakland County hit-and-run attorney for guidance. Call HJP Legal at (734) 593-1688 or submit our online contact form. Attorney Peters is licensed in Michigan, Florida & California.
Hit & Run Charges in Michigan
A hit-and-run accident, also known as leaving the scene of an accident, occurs when a driver fails to stop and exchange information with the other parties involved in a collision.
Michigan law requires drivers to stop and:
- Provide their name, address, and vehicle registration information to the other driver(s) involved, any injured people, or a police officer at the scene.
- Show their driver's license.
- Render reasonable assistance to injured persons, including calling for medical help if necessary.
The specific charges you will face in a hit-and-run will depend on the accident's severity and whether any injuries occurred. Hit-and-run incidents can range from bumping another car in a parking lot without leaving a note, colliding with another vehicle, causing injuries, and fleeing the scene to striking a pedestrian or cyclist and leaving without stopping to check on them or call for help. The most serious of these incidents would be leaving the scene without reporting to the authorities after being involved in an accident that leads to someone’s death.
Why Choose HJP Legal?
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Strategic Advice & RepresentationAttorney Halley J. Peters is well-versed in ensuring your legal rights are protected throughout the legal process. They will ensure that the evidence being used against you is obtained legally and within legal boundaries.
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Minimize PenaltiesCriminal charges can have severe consequences, including losing certain rights, massive fines and penalty fees, and potential incarceration. A skilled criminal defense attorney like Halley J. Peters can help to minimize these penalties or even fight to get the charges dismissed entirely.
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Clear Communication & TransparencyHalley is here for you every step of the way. She keeps her clients informed and up to date on important developments in their cases, and is readily available to answer any questions or address any concerns that may arise.
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Legal ExpertiseHalley is an experienced criminal defense attorney with the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle your criminal case. She understands the legal procedures and tactics of the prosecution, allowing her to provide you with the best defense.
Hit & Run Penalties in Michigan
If the accident involved only property damage, a hit and run is generally considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/ or a fine, community service, and points added to your driving record or a potential license suspension.
If the accident caused an injury, it may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity. Penalties could range from up to a year or up to five years, respectively, with substantial fines, a license suspension or revocation, and potential restitution to victims.
When a fatality occurs, it is charged as a felony, with penalties including up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine between $2,500 and $10,000. Your driver’s license will likely be revoked, and you may have to wait a long time before you are eligible to apply for a new one. You may also be required to pay the victim’s family restitution to compensate for their financial losses, such as funeral expenses or lost income.
Additional consequences of a hit-and-run conviction can include difficulty obtaining employment, especially for jobs requiring driving, increased insurance rates if you can get insurance, and a damaged reputation.
Establishing the Elements of Hit & Run
Certain crucial elements must be established beyond a reasonable doubt to prove a hit-and-run offense in Michigan. These include:
- Presence at the scene: The defendant must have been physically present at the accident scene and directly involved in the incident.
- Knowledge of the accident: It must be proven that the defendant knew or had reason to know that they had been involved in an accident causing property damage, injury, or death.
- Failure to stop: The defendant failed to stop at the accident scene to provide their information or to render aid.
- Failure to report: As Michigan law requires, the defendant did not report the accident to the relevant authorities.
Proving these elements involves a combination of eyewitness testimony, physical evidence from the scene, and sometimes expert testimony, especially regarding the defendant's awareness of the accident. The prosecution must meticulously piece together the facts to establish the defendant's guilt.
HJP Legal Can Help
Facing hit-and-run charges can be devastating. Working with our criminal defense attorney is crucial to protecting your rights and conducting an independent investigation to identify witnesses, gather evidence, and explore potential defense strategies.
Attorney Halley Peters can also negotiate with prosecutors to reduce the charges or penalties. If your case goes to trial, she has the skills to aggressively represent you in court before the judge and jury.
Overall, we aim to minimize a conviction's long-term impact on your life and future.
Book a consultation with our Oakland County hit-and-run attorney by contacting us at (734) 593-1688.