Can you go to jail for hit and run?
You and I will agree that it’s a serious criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident, right? A hit and run is a crime that is committed by a driver who either flees or fails to stop at the scene of an accident.
Yes, this crime is highly punishable by law. But, can you go to jail or prison for a hit-and-run? The answer is absolutely a YES! You can receive a prison sentence of up to 15 years or other criminal proceedings if you don’t stop at the scene of an accident.
In many states here in the USA, the consequences of leaving the scene of an accident include fines, prison time, fines, and suspension/revocation of your driver’s license.
But what types of hit-and-run lead to jail time? Does it add to your criminal records? what should you do after a hit-and-run accident? Want to know? let’s go!
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What are the differences between misdemeanor and felony hit-and-run charges?
Following a hit and run accident, you may potentially face 2 types of legal charges i.e. misdemeanor hit-and-run or a hit-and-run felony.
1. Hit and run felony. This is the criminal charge that will be pressed against you if the hit-and-run accident involves injuries and or deaths.
2. Misdemeanor hit and run charge. These are legal charges for a driver who left the scene of an accident that involved only property damages.
Across all states here in the USA, the penalties for hit-and-run felonies are much worse compared to a misdemeanor.
For example. Across all states, the average prison time for a felony hit and run is around 5-10 years whereas the average jail time for a misdemeanor is from 3 months to 12 months.
Because the consequences of HIT and run vary from state to state, I just concentrated on a few hand-picked states for you to understand even more.
The information provided for the rest of the article also applies to other states with just a few adjustments to suit certain states. let’s dive in more now!
What are the typical fines for hit-and-run charges in North Carolina?
In NC, typical fines for a hit and run depend on the outcome of the accident and your previous criminal records.
A driver who failed to stop at the scene in North Carolina will pay up to $5,000 if it was a minor accident with only property damages.
On the other hand, expect to pay fines of up to $20,000 if you committed a hit and run where the accident caused injuries and or deaths.
Further reading: What is the difference between hit and run and leaving the scene of an accident?
Remember, in addition to potential criminal proceedings, you could be sued for damages like medical bills, property damages, and other losses incurred by the victim.
Can a hit-and-run charge be expunged from your record in North Carolina?
An expungement is a judge’s order to seal a record so that the public cannot see it anymore. In NC, yes, a hit-and-run charge can be expunged from your record but you will need to apply for it.
After the application, you may need to wait for up to 5 years before the charge is expunged. However, remember this. Though the record is hidden from the public, the SBI and the soon prosecutors will soon be able to view it.
Whether the judge accepts your application or not depends on the criminal case you committed. If you committed a serious hit-and-run felony, the chances of denying your request could be higher compared to let’s say a hit-and-run misdemeanor.
What are the potential jail sentences for misdemeanor and felony hit-and-run charges in California?
Just like in northern Carolina, the 2 types of hit and run charges in California are felony and misdemeanor.
In California, you should expect a maximum prison time of up to 6 months for a hit-and-run misdemeanor, and a maximum prison time of up to 4 years if the accident caused injuries and or fatalities.
As in other states, whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor depends on whether the accident caused injuries or not. You may not face any criminal proceedings if there were no injuries, no property damages, and or no fatalities.
Can you go to jail for a hit and run in California?
Yes, you can go to jail in California for a hit and run, but this duration of jail time depends on whether the accident involved injuries or not.
If convicted of a hit-and-run felony in California, you will spend up to 6 months in jail and pay up to $1,000 as fines. On the other hand, a driver who is convicted of a felony in California risks spending up to 4 years in prison on top of a fine of up to $10,000.
Can you go to jail for a hit and run in Texas?
Just like in other states I already mentioned, going to jail for a hit and run in Texas will depend on the seriousness of the accident. You should expect a lengthy prison time if the hit-and-run accident involved injuries and or deaths.
You will spend up to 6 months in prison if you are convicted of a hit-and-run misdemeanor in Texas. On the other, drivers that are charged with a hit and run felony in Texas risk getting a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Additionally, you will pay a fine of up to $500 for minor hit and run in Texas, and a felony will result in fines of not more than $10,000.
Remember, a hit and run driver does not face criminal proceedings only. There is a likelihood of facing civil actions brought up against you by the victims of a hit and run.
Can you go to jail for a hit and run in Georgia?
Whether you go to jail or not for a hit and run charge in Georgia depends on whether it’s your subsequent or first offense, and whether there were injuries or not.
If you are a first-time hit-and-run offender in Georgia, your jail time is likely not to exceed 1 year. Other subsequent criminal proceedings could lead to a prison time of not more than 5 years.
Conclusion.
can you go to jail for hit and run? The answer is yes. But the length of jail or prison time will largely depend on factors like the circumstances of the accident, past criminal records, outcomes of the accident, and finally traffic laws in your locality.
Generally speaking, the majority of the states here in the USA impose between 3 months to 15 years in prison, depending on the severity of the hit-and-run accident.
Remember, a hit and run driver could go to prison following either criminal proceedings and or civil actions against him, brought up by the hit-and-run victims.
You should quickly speak to a hit and run lawyer if you are the victim or seek the services of a criminal defense attorney if you are the driver that fled or left the scene of an accident.
Sources.
1. Adam Sattler. (November 11, 2022). What Are the Consequences of a Hit and Run in New York? sattlaw. https://www.sattlaw.com/what-are-the-consequences-of-a-hit-and-run-in-new-york/
2. New York Hit and Run Accidents. enjuris. https://www.enjuris.com/new-york/car-accident/hit-and-run/
3. HOW TO FIGHT A FLEEING SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT CHARGE IN NY. nytrafficfirm. https://www.nytrafficfirm.com/traffic-law/criminal-charges/fleeing-from-an-accident/
