Is leaving the scene of a crash a misdemeanor offense in Arizona?

Yes. Under Arizona Revised Statute § 28-662, it is a class 1 misdemeanor for the driver of a car involved in an incident that causes damage to another person’s vehicle to leave the scene of the collision. A conviction can bring up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both, and a court may order the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend the person’s license for up to one year.

What must you do after a collision to avoid hit and run penalties in Arizona?

According to AZ Rev. Stat. § 28-663, a person involved in a collision must provide their name and address to law enforcement or the other driver, show their license to the other driver, and provide reasonable assistance in obtaining medical care for all injured people.

Scottsdale Hit and Run Defense Lawyer

Q: When is a hit and run a felony in Scottsdale?

According to AZ Rev. Stat. § 28-661, felony charges involve accidents that result in the injury or death of another person. Drivers must remain at the scene in the same manner as required for incidents resulting in property damage, and failing to do so can bring felony-level charges.

Q: What are the classifications and potential sentences for felony hit and run charges in Arizona?

Leaving the scene of an accident that caused simple injuries is a class 5 felony. A first felony-level conviction can bring a minimum prison sentence of six months with mitigating circumstances, and aggravating circumstances may allow a court to impose up to 2.5 years. When the incident involves a severe injury or death, a prosecutor may pursue a class 2 felony charge, with mitigating circumstances allowing a sentence as short as three years and aggravating factors resulting in up to 12.5 years. In addition, any felony conviction for a hit and run may result in a loss of license for up to ten years.

Scottsdale Hit and Run Attorney

Driving comes with obligations under the law. For instance, there is a requirement to stop at the scene of an accident that results in property damage, injury, or death of another person. Failures to stop can bring severe penalties that impact your freedom and ability to drive in the future.

A Scottsdale hit and run lawyer is here to help you avoid these outcomes. At Grand Canyon Law Group, our dedicated attorneys can work to investigate the actions of all parties after a collision, determine potential defenses against hit and run allegations, and fight to protect your rights during all court sessions.

For a free legal consultation with a hit and run defense lawyer serving Scottsdale, call 480-400-5555

LEAVING THE SCENE OF A CRASH MAY BE A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE

Two statutes under state law define the criminal offense of leaving the scene of a crash. The first is Arizona Revised Statute § 28-662. This says it is a class 1 misdemeanor for the driver of a car involved in an incident that causes damage to another person’s vehicle to leave the scene of the collision.

For class 1 misdemeanors, a conviction can bring a jail sentence of up to six months, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. In addition, the statute allows a court to order the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend a guilty party’s license for up to one year.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A COLLISION

According to AZ Rev. Stat. § 28-663, to avoid these penalties, a person involved in a collision must:

Provide their name and address to law enforcement or the other driver
Show their license to the other driver
Provide reasonable assistance in obtaining medical care for all injured people

A Scottsdale hit and run attorney could help show that a defendant complied with their obligation under the law.

Scottsdale Hit And Run Defense Lawyer Near Me 480-400-5555

WHEN IS A HIT AND RUN A FELONY IN SCOTTSDALE?

While all allegations of a hit and run are serious matters, the most concerning incidents are arrests that result in felony charges. According to AZ Rev. Stat. § 28-661, these involve accidents that result in the injury or death of another person.

Under this statute, drivers must remain at the scene in the same manner as required for incidents resulting in mere property damage. Failing to do so can bring a variety of felony-level charges.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF HIT AND RUN CHARGES

For example, leaving the scene of an accident that caused simple injuries is a class 5 felony. Here, a first felony-level conviction on a person’s record can bring a minimum prison sentence of six months with mitigating circumstances. However, aggravating circumstances may allow a court to impose a sentence of up to 2.5 years.

When the incident involves a severe injury or death, a prosecutor may pursue a class 2 felony charge. Here, mitigating circumstances can bring a sentence as short as three years, while aggravating factors may result in a sentence of up to 12.5 years. In addition, any felony conviction for a hit and run may result in a loss of license for up to ten years. A local hit and run lawyer at our firm understands the severity of these charges and can develop a defense to mitigate the potential penalties.

Click to contact our Vehicular Crimes Lawyers in Scottsdale today

SPEAK WITH A SCOTTSDALE HIT AND RUN ATTORNEY TODAY

All drivers must remain at the scene of an accident that involves property damage, personal injury, or death. Not doing so could result in an arrest for a misdemeanor or felony charge. Convictions can have a devastating impact on your life, and it is crucial to protect yourself at every opportunity.

Hiring a Scottsdale hit and run lawyer to handle your case is a step in the right direction. The skilled team at Grand Canyon Law Group can explain your obligations under the law and investigate why an arrest has occurred. We are ready to collect evidence that shows you met your obligations under the law and that you were not criminally responsible for the collision. Contact us now to schedule your consultation.

Call or text 480-400-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form