When you’re facing charges for both driving under the influence (DUI) and hit-and-run in Los Angeles, the court will look at you very unfavorably. Hit-and-run drivers are seen as people who want to escape responsibility for their actions. Adding DUI on top will make the punishment even worse.
Being convicted of these two offenses can affect your future, freedom, and financial stability. We can connect you with Los Angeles hit-and-run DUI lawyers who can defend you in court against these charges. At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we have connected thousands of clients charged with DUI and related crimes to attorneys who helped minimize the consequences they faced.
Contact us as soon as possible after your arrest so we can connect you with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who is your best shot at a good result.
What to do Immediately After a DUI Hit-and-Run Arrest
The hours following a DUI hit-and-run arrest are crucial for your defense. Your first priority should be to exercise your right to remain silent. Anything you say to law enforcement can be used against you for both the DUI and hit-and-run charges, potentially creating evidence for two separate crimes.
If you have any medical conditions that might have affected your behavior or appearance during the arrest, request immediate medical attention and documentation. Conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, or head injuries can mimic signs of intoxication. These medical records could become vital evidence in your defense.
Before speaking with the police about what happened, contact a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney. Early statements about the accident or your whereabouts can seriously damage your defense against both charges. Let your Los Angeles Hit-and-Run DUI Lawyer handle all communication with law enforcement.
A DUI Hit-and-Run Attorney in Los Angeles Can Defend You Against Both Charges
A hit-and-run DUI occurs when someone allegedly drives under the influence and leaves the scene of an accident without exchanging information or rendering aid. They are two separate charges. California law treats both offenses seriously, but combined, they can result in enhanced penalties.
The prosecution must prove multiple elements for both charges. For the DUI, they must show you were driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher or drove in a way that showed intoxication.
For the hit-and-run, they must demonstrate you were involved in an accident and knowingly left the scene. This can easily happen in a DUI situation. Someone truly intoxicated behind the wheel may not even know they hit someone, yet being intoxicated is not a defense against hit-and-run.
Potential Penalties for Hit-and-Run DUI Cases
The consequences of a hit-and-run DUI conviction can be severe and long-lasting. You may face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances of your case and whether anyone was injured.
Criminal penalties include significant jail time, substantial fines, mandatory alcohol education programs, and license suspension. The court may also require the installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Your professional life could also be affected, as a conviction may impact your current employment and future job prospects. Working with an LA hit-and-run DUI lawyer will help you minimize these consequences and protect your future.
California Hit-and-Run Laws and Penalties
A hit-and-run in California involving injury or death is governed by Vehicle Code Section 20001, which requires drivers involved in accidents causing injury or death to stop and remain at the scene. The law imposes serious penalties that increase with the severity of injuries caused by the accident.
For accidents resulting in injury, you could face up to one year in county jail or state prison, along with fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. If the accident causes death or permanent, serious injury, the penalties increase to two to four years in state prison or 90 days to one year in county jail, plus fines.
The law is particularly severe if you flee the scene after causing death while driving under the influence, adding an additional consecutive five-year prison term to your sentence. These enhanced penalties cannot be dismissed or struck by the court.
What if there was only Property Damage?
If only property damage was involved, California Vehicle Code 20002a governs what to do at the crash scene. A hit-and-run with only property damage is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Will My License Get Suspended?
Your case will involve two separate tracks: criminal proceedings for DUI and hit-and-run charges and an administrative hearing with the DMV. We’ll help you understand the DMV hearing after receiving a DUI, then we must request that hearing within 10 days of your arrest to prevent automatic license suspension.
It may be much more difficult for a Los Angeles DUI hit-and-run lawyer to block your suspension since there are two separate charges. However, without an attorney, you will have little chance of convincing the DMV to let you keep your license.
If your license is suspended, we can argue for you to get a restricted license. This will let you drive to work or school to continue your life, but you will not be allowed to go anywhere else aside from these locations.
Taking Action to Protect Your Rights
With combined DUI and hit-and-run charges, evidence deteriorates quickly. Surveillance footage may be erased, accident scene evidence can disappear, and witnesses’ memories fade. You also face strict deadlines for your DMV hearing and criminal court proceedings.
We can connect you with a lawyer who will immediately begin collecting time-sensitive evidence such as nearby security camera footage, dashcam videos from other vehicles, and witness statements. They will also work to document road conditions, signage, and any factors that might have contributed to the accident or affected your awareness of it.
Contact us today to be connected with a Los Angeles DUI attorney for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and learn how they can effectively challenge both charges. A hit-and-run DUI lawyer in Los Angeles is ready to help you, but they can only help you if you contact one.
