If your DUI involved an accident and you are deemed to have fled the scene, you will face separate criminal penalties for hit & run in addition to your DUI charge.
If you get involved in an accident it’s easy to panic. Many people leave an accident scene simply because they don’t know what to do. Nonetheless, the courts are very strict toward hit & run drivers—especially those who are also accused of DUI.
If your DUI case involves a hit and run, you will face additional criminal charges. These charges are on top of the DUI itself and the penalties are cumulative. There are two main hit and run laws used in California:
- Misdemeanor hit and run. This charge is used when there was an accident but no one was hurt—for example, if you rear ended someone, damaging their bumper, and then fled. The penalty includes up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
- Felony hit and run with injury or death. This is the most common charge when anyone was hurt. Penalties for cases involving injury include up to $10,000 in fines and up to a year in jail. Penalties for cases involving a death can be the same or could include 2-4 years in prison.
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