UConn Hit and Run Lawyer

If you have been accused of fleeing the scene of an accident, legal representation from a qualified UConn hit and run lawyer could be all that stands between you and the life-altering consequences that can come from a criminal conviction.

What is a Hit and Run Offense?

Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §14-224 governs evasion of responsibility when operating a motor vehicle. This is the state penal code’s version of a hit and run, and can be considered either a misdemeanor or felony offense based on the extent of harm caused by the crash. When someone flees an accident that results in only property damage, this would be considered a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of between $75 and $600 and a maximum one-year jail term for a first offense. For subsequent offenses, applicable fines upon conviction rise to $100 to $1,000 in value. Leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in a minor physical injury is still a misdemeanor, but a conviction could lead to a longer maximum incarceration period of five years.

If a wreck results in serious or fatal physical injury, then the hit-and-run becomes a felony offense. In this situation, a conviction could mean a maximum 20-year sentence as well as a fine of up to $20,000. Assistance from a knowledgeable UConn evading responsibility attorney could be crucial to effectively contesting any kind of hit and run allegation.

Possible Defenses to an Evading Responsibility Charge

There are three specific things that everyone involved in a traffic accident must do immediately after: (1) stop immediately and render assistance to anyone in need of it, (2) provide their license and registration to other involved parties and responding police officers, and (3) file an accident report with the nearest police station if they cannot provide required information. To convict someone of evading responsibility, a court must prove that a defendant knowingly and intentionally failed to fulfill one or more of these obligations.

Accordingly, a defendant must demonstrate that he violated these laws unintentionally. For example, if a defendant left the scene of the accident because he reasonably thought no one needed assistance, this could be a viable defense strategy. A qualified lawyer could help build a defense that fits a specific defendant’s circumstances after a hit-and-run accident at UConn.

Talk to a UConn Hit and Run Attorney

Hit and run charges have incredibly severe consequences even if you have never been accused of any other crime before. Because of this, it is crucial that you take your case seriously and seek help from a legal professional who is familiar with evading responsibility cases.

A dedicated UConn hit and run lawyer could be the ally you need to effectively protect your rights and interests in this unique situation. Click here to read our over 300 certified client reviews on Avvo.com, and call today for a private consultation.