Criminal Penalties:

If you’re involved in a crash but it’s only property damage (like hitting a parked car), you might get charged with a misdemeanor. This could mean up to a year in jail, a fine up to $1,000, and a suspended driver’s license. If there’s an injury or someone dies, though, things get way more serious. That’s when it can turn into a felony, with fines up to $5,000, 1-5 years in prison, and possibly losing your driving privileges.

License Suspension:

1. • A suspension is a temporary loss of driving privileges for a specified amount of time. Here’s how license suspensions generally break down after a hit-and-run charge:
   • Misdemeanor Hit-and-Run (Property Damage)
     1. If you’re convicted of a misdemeanor hit-and-run in Fulton County, the license suspension could last anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. The exact duration will depend on your driving history and whether any aggravating factors (like prior offenses or previous suspensions) are involved. After the suspension period, you’ll typically need to pay a reinstatement fee and possibly complete additional requirements, such as attending a defensive driving course or providing proof of insurance (SR-22), before you can get your license back.
   • Felony Hit-and-Run (Injury or Death)
     1. If the hit-and-run results in injury or death, and you’re convicted of a felony, the consequences for your license are much more severe. A felony conviction could lead to a longer license suspension—often several years. In some extreme cases, your license could be permanently revoked. After a felony conviction, if your license is suspended, you might have to wait several years before being eligible to apply for reinstatement. The reinstatement process will also involve paying hefty fees, possibly attending an alcohol/drug evaluation or counseling, and demonstrating that you’re fit to drive again.

What Defenses Might Work in a Hit-and-Run?

There are a few defenses that someone might use if they’re charged with a hit-and-run, although they aren’t easy to pull off.

1. Didn’t Realize It Was an Accident:
   • If you didn’t know you were in an accident, you might have a chance to argue that. For example, if you brushed past a car but didn’t notice any damage or hear a crash, you could claim you didn’t realize you were involved.
2. Fear for Safety:
   • Let’s say you were in a bad part of town and worried for your safety. You might argue that you left the scene because you were afraid. However, you’d need solid proof of why you felt unsafe.
3. Medical Emergency:
   • If you had a medical emergency while driving (like a seizure or heart attack) and you left because you were in distress, that could be a valid defense. You’d need to show evidence, like a doctor’s note, to back this up.
4. Couldn’t Stop:
   • Sometimes, cars break down or something happens that makes it hard for a driver to pull over right away. If you had a mechanical issue or some other emergency that made it impossible to stop safely, you could argue that you had no choice but to keep going.
5. Mistaken Identity:
   • Another defense could be that you weren’t the one involved in the accident, or the police might have made a mistake in identifying you. Maybe the other driver was mistaken or there was confusion about who caused the crash.

If you’ve been charged with a Hit and Run in Fulton County give us a call TODAY.