Hit-and-run cases are alarmingly common in the bustling city of Los Angeles. The sheer size of the metropolis leads to numerous accidents, often involving individuals who may be driving under the influence and fleeing the scene, particularly during the late hours.
They may hit some parked cars or hit a car with somebody in it, leave their car, or run away.
I've handled many of these felony hit and run and misdemeanor hit and run cases in the downtown Los Angeles court. The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor as it relates to a hit-and-run case is if somebody gets injured.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Hit and Run Charges
Then, they will charge the case as a felony hit and run under California Vehicle Code 20001 if:
- you leave the scene without exchanging information,
- giving your insurance,
- your name and phone number.
It's a misdemeanor hit and run if you cause property damage and leave the scene. Most cases are property damage hit and run, where somebody gets in an accident and drives away.
Or I've seen a person's vehicle often become disabled because they get in such a bad accident, total their car, leave it, and run away.
There are various reasons people will leave the scene of an accident. It could be that they're under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both. It could be they don't have a driver's license.
It could be that they don't want to deal with the consequences of becoming involved in an accident. Maybe they don't have insurance. There's a whole host of reasons.
Experienced Hit and Run Lawyer in Los Angeles
Ultimately, if you or a loved one is caught in the distressing aftermath of a hit-and-run accident in downtown Los Angeles, with court proceedings at 210 West Temple or at the Metro Court at 1945 Hill Street, you've found the right place for the crucial legal support you need.
When you pick up the phone for a meeting with Ron Hedding, you're not just getting a lawyer. You're getting 26 years of experience, including work for the District Attorney's office , a Superior Court Judge, and a criminal defense attorney since 1994. You're in good hands.
So, I have much experience with hundreds of hit-and-run cases over my career. They're not all the same. They're not all treated the same.
Not every person who is involved in a hit-and-run accident in downtownthe Los Angeles courthouse is going to be treated the same. It depends on:
- what your criminal record looks like,
- what your driving record looks like,
- whether or not somebody got hurt,
- whether you had a license,
- valid insurance.
There's a whole host of factors, but the best person or champion to help you is your attorney, and I am very well-structured for that because I know the judges, prosecutors, and their tendencies.
Fighting vs Negotiating Hit and Run Charges
I know what it takes to be successful in a case. Sometimes, you have a defense and don't want to plead guilty. You don't want to be arrested and go to jail or prison.
You'd like to fight the case. So, you have somebody who can put a case together and defend it because the prosecutors have the burden of proof. They have to prove everything.
They've got to prove that you were driving, you got in an accident, and they also have to prove that you left the scene and there wasn't some emergency that caused you to go. So, you may have a defense to the case.
If you don't have a defense and they've got the evidence against you, then obviously, you're going to want somebody who can negotiate, someone who knows the DA's office and the judges.
As your attorney, I know what it takes to get the best result and protect your freedom, rights, job, future, and reputation. Whether you're charged with a misdemeanor or felony hit-and-run, your rights are my priority.
That's a crime. So, it doesn't just impact your DMV record; it also impacts your criminal record—your ability to get a job and your ability to get promotions in the future. All sorts of things are on the line.
So, if you're seeking an attorney who can handle a hit-and-run case in the downtown courthouse, you've found the right place. Pick up the phone. Request a face-to-face meeting with Ron Hedding. We'll sit down and do everything we can to understand your situation and help you.
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