If you are facing hit and run charges in Indiana, you need qualified and aggressive legal counsel whether you are innocent or not. Hit and run charges can be quite serious, and facing such charges is a scary situation. With an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can rest assure that your rights will be protected and your freedoms preserved. Continue reading to learn more about hit and run charges, and how they are categorized by Indiana law.

Hit and Run Charges

Anyone who is involved in a car accident and fails to stop can be charged with a hit and run offense in Indiana. In this state, it is mandatory under law to stop at the scene of a car accident if you are involved in any way. Failing to do so will result in a warrant for your arrest. Often times, drivers can be charged with a hit and run offense when they are actually innocent. For instance, license plate numbers get written down or remembered inaccurately, another person was operated the car owner’s vehicle, mistaken identity, and more are all common examples of how people are falsely accused of hit and run offenses.

In other circumstances, offenders who are guilty feel an incredible amount of stress because they are scared of what the future holds for them. If this sounds like you, the best advice you can use is to not wait a second longer to face your criminal charges. The longer you wait, the more challenging it will be to avoid the maximum charges for a hit and run offense in Indiana. Your case will just look worse to the courts as time goes on, making it less likely for them to show leniency when it comes time to hand down your sentence. This is especially true if the people in the other car were injured.

Penalties for Hit and Runs

In Indiana, a hit and run offense can range in severity when it comes to penalties. There are many factors that can influence the level of charge you face for a hit and run, including bodily harm, intoxication, and penalty enhancements like priors, school zones, possession of drugs, and more.

In general, a hit and run charge is a Class A Misdemeanor, which carries up to one year in jail and $5,000 in fines, and additional court orders such as probation, suspended license, community service, drug testing, mandatory employment, and more.

If the hit and run results in bodily harm to the other people involved in the accident, the charge increases to a Level 6 Felony, which is punishable by up to 3 years in prison, $10,000 in fines, and additional court orders like the ones mentioned before.

What To Do if You are Involved in a Car Accident

If you are ever involved in a car accident, always stop and pull over safely to the side of the road. Check to see if anyone is hurt and call 911 if anyone requires medical attention. If it if a minor accident and no one is hurt, proceed to switch contact and insurance information with the other driver. This includes phone number, drivers’ license number, license plate number, insurance information, and more.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense for Hit and Run Charges

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 if you are facing hit and run charges in Indianapolis, Indiana. We will provide you with aggressive and skilled criminal defense so that your rights are protected and your freedoms are preserved. We offer free initial consultations, so be sure to schedule yours today.