The law in California requires that drivers maintain control over their vehicles at all times, even when parked. A parked vehicle that rolls away could result in criminal charges under CA Vehicle Code Section 20002(b): Runaway Vehicle Causing Property Damage. If you face a charge, retaining the services of an experienced lawyer can be critical.
At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we understand the situation you are in. We are prepared to use our decades of experience to connect you with a criminal defense lawyer who has a thorough understanding of California Vehicle Codes.
Understanding CA Vehicle Code 20002(b)
Under CA Vehicle Code 20002(b), a driver can face criminal charges if:
- They park their vehicle.
- It subsequently becomes a runaway vehicle.
- The runaway vehicle is involved in an accident that results in property damage.
After a runaway vehicle causes an accident, the party responsible for the vehicle must offer their contact information to the party that suffered property damage. These details can be provided directly to the property owner or through a written note.
Furthermore, the law requires the owner of the vehicle to report the property damage caused by their runaway vehicle to law enforcement as soon as possible.
Legal Penalties Resulting From a CA Vehicle Code 20002(b) Conviction
If you are charged under CA Vehicle Code 20002(b), you could face serious consequences. A violation of this Vehicle Code is charged as a misdemeanor and can result in:
- Fines of up to $1,000
- Up to six months in jail
- Summary probation
In addition to the legal charges, you could face challenges in your life. Having a misdemeanor on your record could create challenges in finding employment or housing. Of course, if you are incarcerated for an extended period, the consequences could be quite severe, including loss of employment and damage to your personal relationships.
Charges Similar to CA Vehicle Code 20002(b) Violations
CA Vehicle Code 20002(b) focuses on the damage caused by runaway vehicles. Meanwhile, CA Vehicle Code 20001(a): Felony Hit and Run Involving Injury or Death and CA Vehicle Code 20002(b): Misdemeanor Hit and Run concern accidents where a driver leaves the scene of an accident where they were behind the wheel.
The penalties in these cases can be more severe. Consider a scenario in which your runaway vehicle causes property damage, and you leave the scene of the accident without reporting it to the authorities. If you do this and fail to provide the property owner with your contact information, you could face these harsher charges.
In this case, you would need to prove that you were not driving your vehicle when it caused the property damage and that it was instead a runaway vehicle. That’s the only way you could face a violation for a runaway vehicle causing property damage.
Defenses Against a Runaway Vehicle Causing Property Damage Charge
If you are facing a charge for allowing your runaway vehicle to cause property damage, it is critical that you build a strong defense. This will give you a better chance of beating the charge and avoiding the associated penalties.
A criminal defense lawyer can evaluate your situation to determine which defense is best for your case.
Some potential defenses against this charge include:
- Your vehicle did not cause any property damage
- You left your contact information
- Someone else was in control of your vehicle
Your Vehicle Did Not Cause Any Property Damage
You are only guilty of a violation of CA Vehicle Code 20002(b) if your runaway vehicle caused property damage.
You Left Your Contact Information
One of the requirements of CA Vehicle Code 20002(b) is that you leave your contact information so that the property owner can reach out to you if they were not present at the time of the accident. Proving that you left your contact information can help you avoid a charge.
Someone Else Was in Control of Your Vehicle
While you are responsible for damage caused by a runaway vehicle, you are not to blame if another party who had control of your vehicle caused property damage. For example, consider a scenario in which:
- Your car was stolen and taken for a joyride.
- The thieves left it on a hill without the emergency brake on.
- The vehicle rolled down the hill.
- This rolling caused property damage.
In this situation, you are not to blame for the damage that occurred.
Get Help Handling CA Vehicle Code 20002(b) Charges From a Criminal Defense Lawyer
After being charged with a violation of CA Vehicle Code 20002(b), it is important to secure the services of a legal professional. You need someone who has a history of representing people who have faced this charge and a proven track record of getting the charges dismissed, negotiating favorable plea deals, and securing not guilty verdicts in court.
At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we can help connect you with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can build a strong case on your behalf. Contact us by phone or through our online contact form to get started today.
