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Hit and Run Cases in Orange County
Mr. Grupenhagen handles Hit and Run cases in Orange County. Any
driver involved in an accident involving injury to another person,
or in death, is generally required to stop and to provide information
concerning the driver's identity and to render aid to any persons
injured in the accident (California Vehicle Code § 20001(a)). A
conviction for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in
injury or death can have severe consequences for the fleeing
driver. If any injuries to the other person are "serious
permanent injuries" or if any other person has died as a
result of the accident, the driver faces a minimum sentence of
90 days imprisonment in the county jail, and a maximum sentence
of up to four years imprisonment in state prison. The
driver also faces fines of up to $10,000.00 and the revocation
of his or her driver's license for one year. It is important
to note that the driver is exposed to these penalties whether
the driver was "at fault" for causing the accident
or not.
If a driver is involved in an accident resulting in damage to
property only, the driver has a similar obligation. The
driver must stop the vehicle in a safe location and locate and
identify himself or herself to the owner of the property damaged. If
the owner cannot be located, the driver must then leave a written
note on the damaged property. The note must contain the
driver's name and address and the name and address of the vehicle's
owner. Thereafter, without delay, the driver must notify
either the city police, or the California Highway Patrol (California
Vehicle Code § 20002(a)). Any driver who fails to
comply with these requirements faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment
of six months in the county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.00. Furthermore,
the driver faces possible driver's license suspension. Again,
the driver is exposed to these penalties whether the driver was "at
fault" for causing the accident or not.
Law enforcement authorities investigating a so-called "hit
and run" in Orange County will generally contact the owner
of the vehicle either by a knock on the door, or by letter. In
many instances, the owner of the vehicle will receive a letter
in the mail directing the owner to come to the police or sheriff's
station and bring the vehicle and give a statement as to what
happened at the time of the accident. we recommend that,
prior to making any statements to law enforcement or contacting
law enforcement officers in any way in response to such requests,
that you contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in
order to discuss your legal rights. Generally, any information
you provide to law enforcement in response to these "requests" can
be used against you in a subsequent criminal prosecution for
fleeing the scene of an accident. They may not be able
to prove who was driving until you admit to them that you are
the sole driver of the vehicle or that no one else has permission
to drive it. This kind of statement often provides police
with just the evidence they need to submit their case to the
District Attorney with a request to file charges against you. Given
how high the stakes are, and given that the officer you will
speak with is highly trained in the law and in interview techniques,
you need to have a legal representative who is knowledgeable
about this area of law on your side before contacting law enforcement.
Mr. Grupenhagen has successfully defended people being investigated
for or who are being charged with "hit and run" in Orange
County, and there are numerous possible defenses to these cases. In
some cases, law enforcement cannot prove who was driving the vehicle
at the time of the accident. Furthermore, in certain instances,
the driver may not have been aware that he or she had even been
involved in an accident. Mr. Grupenhagen has the experience
necessary to defend you against "hit and run" allegations
in Orange County.
we Serve the following cities in Orange County, California
Anaheim, Aliso Viejo, Balboa, Brea, Buena Park, Corona Del Mar,
Costa Mesa, Coto De Caza, Cypress, Cerritos, Dana Point, Foothill,
Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine,
La Habra, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna
Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo,
Midway City, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita,
San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton,
Sunset Beach, Tustin, Trabuco Canyon, Villa Park, Westminster,
Yorba Linda
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