Matthew J. Ruff

The crime of Hit and Run occurs when a person is involved in a collision and fails to exchange information.  The offense is very common, particularly when the involved party has been drinking or does not possess insurance or a license.  California Law regards the crime as a misdemeanor if only property damage is involved, and a felony if bodily injury is caused by the accident.

A commonly asked question is whether the involved party should report the car stolen following the accident.  the short answer to this question is it is not advisable in that the report could result in additional felony charges if the crime is detected.  The better option is to retain the services of a local criminal defense attorney who can advise the individual of proper courses of action.  Routinely, a detective or police investigator will call the suspected party in an attempt to extract inculpatory or incriminating admissions.  Here, again the person would be well advised to have a lawyer on retainer to act as an insulator from law enforcement and the danger of bad decisions.

Having the right advice during this very tough time is crucial to a positive outcome of the case.  A lawyer familiar with the specific issues and important concerns a person has facing life changing choices, can make all the difference in hit and run cases.  Call and speak to a legal  professional who can point you in the right direction, toll free at 1-877-213-4453.