In Washington State, a hit and run can be either "attended" or "unattended." If you hit an unattended automobile and leave the scene without making an effort to notify the owner, or without leaving a note that's easy to find, you can be charged with a misdemeanor hit and run crime. A conviction could result in up to 90 days in jail and fines totaling $1,000. You can also be charged with a misdemeanor hit and run if you damage property with your automobile.
An attended hit and run crime is far more serious, and is defined as striking another vehicle that is occupied by a driver or passenger and leaving the scene without exchanging information. If there are no injuries in the collision, you can be charged with a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines.
If another driver or passenger is injured in the collision, you can be charged with a Class C felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines of $10,000. Keep in mind that you can be charged for this crime whether or not you caused the accident.
If you leave the scene of a collision where another driver or passenger was killed, you can be charged with a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines of no more than $20,000. If you have prior criminal convictions, these penalties may be even more severe.
It's also common for hit and run charges to accompany other criminal charges like DUI or reckless driving. Obviously, it makes sense to seek professional legal guidance from the Kent hit and run lawyers at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe if any of these situations apply to you.
No matter what criminal charges you're facing, our team of experienced Kent litigators will aggressively pursue the resolution of your case by defending your interests. Contact our law office without delay, so that we can get to work on your defense.
Contact Our Kent Law Office And Start Getting Some FactsHit and run crimes happen for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, a driver had no intention of breaking the law by leaving the scene of an accident, but were unaware of what the law required. When they realize their mistake, they decide to approach the authorities and explain what happened.
Sometimes a Kent motorist is involved in a hit and run because the emotionally-charged nature of the accident causes them to panic and flee the scene. When their adrenalin subsides, they realize that they need to go to the police and do the right thing.
DO NOT approach anyone in law enforcement without first speaking with one of our Kent hit and run attorneys, which is a valuable means of protecting your legal rights. Remember that anything you say can be used in your prosecution, so make sure you understand your rights before taking the next step.
Accident scenes are chaotic and sometimes eyewitnesses fail to accurately identify the person who committed a hit and run. Our Kent hit and run lawyers can help if you've been falsely accused of this crime. Contact our law office for a professional legal consultation, and start getting answers to your questions without any cost or obligation.