Yelm Hit & Run

Have You Been Charged With a Hit & Run in Thurston County?

Traffic offenses may seem trivial, but if you or a loved one has been charged with a Hit & Run in Yelm, your future may be on the line.

Hit & Run incidents are a result of a driver contributing to or instigating a vehicular accident and failing to stop, or leaving the scene before exchanging necessary information. Hit & Run charges in Washington state can involve either hitting a person, fixture, or another automobile and is considered a criminal offense. This means that if you’re convicted of a Hit & Run, you may face jail time, fines, and the loss of your driver's license.

If you are looking at this page, chances are you or someone you love has been involved in a hit and run in Thurston County. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to hire an experienced Yelm Hit & Run defense attorney. Through this website, our team of experienced litigators will attempt to answer some basic Hit & Run questions you may have, such as

• Are there consequences for a hit & run in the state of Washington?
• What information is required to be exchanged if you’ve been in a hit & run?
• Is it still a crime if nobody was injured?
• Will I go to jail if convicted of a hit & run?

Although we provide a general education on hit & run charges in Washington state, each case is unique. That is why we recommend contacting our office after you’ve read through this material. Our firm offers a free case evaluation to each prospective client. Each case requires a specialized defense tailored to the specific details of your case, and we encourage you to reach out to us so that we can begin preparing for your defense.

Hit and run cases are some of the toughest cases to defend, and if you or a loved one have been charged with this crime it is extremely important to retain an aggressive and experienced Yelm criminal defense lawyer. Contact our offices today to discuss the charges and what can be done.

Hit & Run Charges Explained by a Thurston County Criminal Defense Attorney

When you’ve been charged with a hit & run, the full weight and resources of the government are being marshaled against you with the goal of convicting you of a crime and imposing penalties on you.

The first step our team of Yelm criminal defense attorneys suggests all potential clients take towards fighting their charges is understanding exactly what crime you have been accused of.

In Washington state, there are four levels of hit and run charges-

1. Unattended hit and run - A car accident doesn’t always involve another person. State statute RCW 46.52.010 states that “(1) The operator of any vehicle which collided with any other vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle ...or shall leave in a conspicuous place in the vehicle struck a written notice, giving the name and address of the operator and of the owner of the vehicle striking such other vehicle.
   (2) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to property fixed or placed upon or adjacent to any public highway shall take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of such property.” This is the lowest level of hit-and-run charges in Washington State.
2. Hit and run of an attended vehicle- This is charged when you operate a vehicle and strike another car that is occupied. It does not matter if the person occupying the car is uninjured, you will still be charged with Hit & Run of an attended vehicle.
3. Injury-causing hit and run- This is charged when you injure another person in a traffic accident and flee the scene or fail to provide the following information-
   • Name
   • Address
   • Insurance information
   • License plate number
   • Driver’s License
4. Hit and run that causes a fatality- This is charged when you operate a vehicle and hit another car, causing a fatality. This is the most serious hit and run charge in Washington, and carries heavy penalties if convicted.

No matter what level of hit & run you’ve been charged with, our team of Yelm criminal defense attorneys is prepared to handle your case. With over 50 combined years of experience practicing criminal defense in Washington state, our litigators have tried cases just like yours. Contact our firm today to begin your free case consultation. Allow our team of experienced Thurston county criminal defense attorneys to help you achieve peace of mind during this confusing and stressful time.

Penalties for Hit & Run Charges in Yelm

If you have been charged with a hit-and-run crime, you face severe penalties that vary depending on the details of the case. Listed below are the 4 levels of hit and run charges, and the penalties associated with each.

• Unattended hit & run is a simple misdemeanor criminal offense punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
• Hit and run of an attended vehicle is a gross misdemeanor criminal offense, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. If convicted of this charge, the DOL will automatically revoke your driver’s license for a period of 1 year.
• A hit and run accident that causes harm to an occupant of the other vehicle is considered a class C felony. In Washington State, class C felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If convicted of this charge, the DOL will automatically revoke your driver’s license for a period of 1 year.
• A hit and run accident that causes a fatality will be charged as a class B felony, which carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000, as well as an automatic license suspension or revoking.

Misdemeanor cases are held in courts of limited jurisdiction, so if you have been charged with either Unattended hit & run or hit & run of an attended vehicle, you may have to appear in either the Yelm Municipal Court or the Thurston County District Court, which is located in Olympia.

Felony cases, including hit & run charges involving injury or fatality, are tried at the Thurston County Superior Court, which is also located in Olympia.

To avoid harsh penalties it’s important to obtain the best representation possible. A Thurston County criminal defense attorney who understands Washington State law and has experience handling hit and run cases can make all the difference in the outcome of your charges. If you or someone you love has been charged with a hit & run in Yelm, it’s in your best interest to contact our team immediately.

How a Thurston County Hit & Run Defense Lawyer Can Help You

A car accident can be an extremely stressful experience. The initial shock of being involved in a crash can affect a person’s ability to think clearly. Many people that are charged with leaving the scene of an accident don’t even realize what they have done wrong until they find the police knocking at their door.

A conviction for a hit and run could have a far-reaching impact that may affect your driving privileges, freedom, and livelihood. Given the consequences, it’s critical to speak with a Yelm hit-and-run defense lawyer right away if you are facing such charges. An experienced attorney will be able to identify the appropriate defense strategy for your case and give you a fighting chance against the accusations leveled against you. Call our firm today to schedule a no-cost case consultation and discuss your possible legal defenses.