Hit and Run
This charge is very serious and can have real consequences which may include jail time, endangering a license and Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Hit and Run.
In Virginia Carries a very serious penalty. This is a CRIMINAL conviction and will remain on a driver’s permanent criminal record. A hit and run charge in Virginia is also known as “Failure to Report an Accident.”
An Individual is Required to Report An Accident.
A Virginia driver must stop at the scene of any accident in which he is involved. The fault or cause of the accident is not relevant. He must give the other driver information. This would include a name, address, driver’s license number, vehicle registration information. “Reasonable assistance” should also be rendered to those injured.
Proof of a Hit and Run Charge in Virginia.
A Hit and Run charge can result from any car accident that the driver fails to report this charge requires that he or she:
Make physical contact with another vehicle, person, or object.
Resulting in property damage, injury or death, and
Failed to report the accident.
To support this conviction the Prosecutor must prove that the driver knew of the accident and knew (or should have known) that the property was damaged or someone was injured. The prosecutor must also prove that the driver failed to give the required information to the other driver and law enforcement.
Damages
Unoccupied Property (Va. Code §46.2-896)
Criminalizes the failure to report an accident involving the unattended property. Unattended property is also called unoccupied property.
Occupied Property, Injury or Death (Va. Code §46.2-894)
The Driver of any vehicle involved in an accident in which a person is killed, injured, or when attended property or vehicles are damaged-the driver should immediately stop as close to the scene as possible without obstructing traffic.
Penalties for Hit and Run
Generally, a Hit and Run is punished with jail, fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and DMV demerit points will be added to the offender’s record.
Damages to Unattended Property (Damages less than $250):
Charge is a Class 4 misdemeanor, punished with a $250 fine. Additionally, the DMV may add 3 demerit points to the offender’s driver’s record.
Damages Unattended Property (Damages more than $250):
The charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up $2,500, and an additional 3 demerit points on the records as assigned by the DMV.
Damages to Occupied property less than $1,000
A Class 1 misdemeanor which results in a:
A maximum jail term up to 12 months in jail.
A fine of up t $2,500.
If the property damage exceeds $500 the offender’s driver’s license can be suspended up to 6 months.
The DMV, at it’s discretion, will add 4 demerit points to the offender’s driving record.
A hit and run resulting in death or injury of a person or more than $1,000 in damages.
This is a Class 5 felony which results in a:
Jail term of not less than one year nor more than 10 years
At the discretion of the court or jury the term of confinement is not more than 12 months.
A fine of up to $2,500.
Driver’s license revocation for one year.
6 demerit points will be added to the offender’s DMV record.