Leaving the Scene of a Crash without Leaving Information
Last updated on November 30, 2022
In Orlando or anywhere in Florida if you leave the scene of a crash and do not leave information you could be arrested and charged with a second-degree misdemeanor that carries penalties of up to 60 days in jail and up to six months’ probation. This could also include having a criminal conviction.
Under this statute if you hit an unattended car or property you are supposed to leave your information in a place where the owner can easily see it and/or contact law enforcement as soon as possible. Attorney Corey I. Cohen’s experience with hit-and-run charges is that they are committed for the most part by people with little or no criminal history, and therefore they do not have an understanding of how the criminal justice system works. At The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates, your defense lawyer will walk you step by step through this process and make sure you are not left in the dark.
Most people when charged with a crime assume they have to go to trial to resolve the case and this is not true. Most of the time our attorneys will be able to able to negotiate a very favorable settlement that keeps the charges off your record and no jail time. We also have clients who are truly not guilty of the charge and choose to go to trial to clear their name. If that is the route you choose, our defense lawyers are here for you to fight the charges.
There are defenses to this charge that can be fought in court.
Some of those defenses include:
- The state needs to prove that you knew that you were involved in an accident. Earlier, they only had to show that you knew or should have known you were in an accident but a recent Florida Supreme Court case changed that and made it more difficult to prove these cases.
- In addition, a defense would be if you were taken to the hospital and unable to call 911 or incapacitated in some way that you didn’t have the ability to report it.
- While this charge may seem minor, if you are convicted you will have a permanent criminal record and can never seal or expunge this case or any other cases ever. You will also get six points on your driving record that will raise your insurance and cause other issues with the DHSMV.
- It is important if you are arrested or given a notice to appear on this charge that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to go over your legal options and what choices you have when navigating the court system.
As a former prosecutor, attorney Corey I. Cohen knows what the other side is looking at to convict you and how The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates can give you the best chance at avoiding a record.
Mr. Cohen left the State Attorney’s Office in 2005 and has handled only criminal defense cases since. For the last decade, he and his team have fought tirelessly for clients with charges ranging from traffic offenses to murder charges.
Free Initial Consultation at The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates
At The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates we handle all criminal and traffic matters in Orange and Seminole counties. We bring years of experience at a reasonable price and offer payment plans, and the initial consultation is always free. Contact our law office online or call 407-680-2093 to schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer. Se habla español