Leaving The Scene Of An Accident - Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer - Josh Jones - ALL FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS

Leaving The Scene Of An Accident - Criminal Consequences

Many drivers have been or will be involved in some kind of motor vehicle accident during their lifetime. Hopefully the accident is minor and nothing serious happens to either party. People need to not only worry about increased premiums, vehicle damage and possible injury, but they also need to worry about criminal charges.

Whenever an individual is involved in an accident state law requires him or her to remain at the scene of the accident until certain things have occurred. In order to avoid criminal charges, a driver involved in a car accident must, pursuant to MCL § 257.617a, “immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the accident” and remain at the scene up until “he or she has satisfied the following requirements:

• Give his or her name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is operating, including the name and address of the owner, to a police officer, the individual struck, or the driver or occupants of the vehicle with which he or she has collided[;]
• Exhibit his or her operator's or chauffeur's license to a police officer, individual struck, or the driver or occupants of the vehicle with which he or she has collided[; and]
• Render to any individual injured in the accident reasonable assistance in securing medical aid or arrange for or provide transportation to any injured individual.

However, an individual involved in the accident must know or have reason to believe that he or she was actually involved in an accident. Therefore, if the fender bender was so minor that it would be unreasonable to know of it then an individual would technically be found innocent of this crime. However, it should be noted any outcome, even the one recently stated, would always be based upon the factual circumstances involved in the particular case at issue and there is never a guarantee to know that particular outcome.

If convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, an individual will have a misdemeanor on his or her record and face a maximum 1-year in jail and/or a $1,000.00 fine. Moreover, a conviction will be abstracted to the secretary of state, and thus a suspension of the individual’s driver’s license will occur, but this is dependent upon whether there is property damage or whether personal injury occurs. If a suspension levied it will be for a 90-day period.

It is essential and imperative to contract a criminal defense attorney when involved in this these situations. Make sure you rights are protected, call Josh Jones today.

PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THESE LEGAL OPINIONS AND OBSERVATIONS WHEN REPRESENTING YOURSELF IN COURT. THESE ARTICLES ARE NOT MEANT TO COMPENSATE OR EFFECUATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION. YOU SHOULD AND MUST CONTACT AN ATTORNEY AND DISCUSS WITH HIM OR HER THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY AND ALL IDEAS, STATEMENTS, OPINIONS, EXPRESSIONS OR OTHERWISE STATED ON THIS SITE. WE HOPE TO SPEAK WITH YOU SOON.