Menu
- 202-455-5610
Washington DC & MD leaving after colliding lawyers
Leaving After Colliding in DC
wHAT IS LEAVING AFTER COLLIDING IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA?
Leaving After Colliding in DC is a misdemeanor Offense. Leaving After Colliding Pursuant to District of Columbia Law, § 50–2201.05c (a) Any person who operates or who is in physical control of a vehicle within the District who knows or has reason to believe that his or her vehicle has been in a collision shall immediately stop and: (1) Where another person is injured, call or cause another to call 911 or call or cause another to call for an ambulance or other emergency assistance if necessary, remain on the scene until law enforcement arrives, and provide identifying information to law enforcement and to the injured person; (2) Where real or personal property belonging to another is damaged or a domestic animal is injured, provide identifying information to the owner or operator of the property or the owner of the domestic animal or, where the owner or operator of the property or the owner of the domestic animal is not present, provide or cause another to provide identifying information and the location of the collision, to law enforcement or 911; or (3) Where real or personal property or a wild or domestic animal, as a result of the collision, poses a risk to others, call or cause another to call 911 and provide identifying information, the location of the collision, and a description of the nature of the risk posed to others.
What happens if I am charged with Leaving after Colliding in DC?
If I am charged with Hit and Run what will happen? You will be given a citation to appear in court for leaving after colliding on a certain date for what is referred to as an arraignment. At the arraignment, the Judge will inform you of the charges and set conditions of release. You should be released on your personal recognizance (no money bonds) and a new court date will be set called a status hearing. What does the Judge want to hear at the arraignment for the following: (1) Are you pleading guilty to the charges; (2)Is diversion available (deferred prosecution or deferred sentencing agreement); (3) Whether a trial date should be set. The answer to those questions has to be fully explored with your attorney. You can not have a productive status hearing if you have not spoken to a lawyer and your lawyer has not investigated, consulted and prepared the case.
Is hit and run the same thing as Leaving After Colliding?
Hit and Run in DC is leaving after colliding. There is no statute called “hit and run”
Will I go to Jail for Leaving After Colliding in the District of Columbia?
No attorney can guarantee whether you will go to jail. Just realize that hit and run in the District of Columbia is a misdemeanor offense. There are a lot of options for resolving your case.
What if I did not know I hit someone?
This has become more common in DC because of the number of people on the roads. This absolutely a defense to hit and run because knowledge is important.
What are the two types of hit and run?
In the District of Columbia, there are two types of Leaving After Colliding.
- Hit and Run on property
- Hit and Run on a person.
(1)Causing Property damage and leaving the scene. If you leave the scene of an accident and cause property damage the penalty for the first offense be fined not more than the $250. or incarcerated for not more than 30 days or both.
(2)If you leave the scene of an accident and cause personal injury the penalty for the first offense is be fined not more than $1000.00 or incarcerated for not more than 180 days, or both.
So what do I do if the Police Contact me?
You may have left the scene and not even realized you did anything wrong Typically, an officer from the metropolitan police department will send you a letter to come to the precinct and talk about the facts. You should go with a lawyer to that meeting. The cost of taking a lawyer to that meeting is nominal.
how many court dates will i have for Leaving After Colliding in the District of Columbia?
You will have at least 2 court dates of mandatory appearancce in DC Superior Court for Hit and Run in DC.
Will I have a Criminal Record as a Result of a Hit and Run in the District of Columbia?
Most clients charged with leaving after colliding in the District of Columbia are eligible for some form of diversion if this is the first contact with the criminal justice system. This is the main reason for hiring a lawyer in the District of Columbia who practices criminal law. The collateral consequences of a conviction can have huge ramifications for your future so seek an experienced criminal lawyer in DC. Need more information – contact us today
Give us a call.
At Rollins and Chan, we have experience in representing people in these types of charges. Call us today for a free phone consultation.