What Are the Degrees of Punishment for a Hit and Run?

Scientifically speaking, it is normal for someone to have a “fight or flight” response after unexpectedly entering a tragic and dramatic situation, such as an auto collision. However, in your crash, you must try your hardest not to let your “fight” mode get activated and prompt you to leave the scene prematurely. This is because while it is understandable on a scientific level, it may not be under the eyes of the Tennessee criminal law system. Rather, the criminal court may see it as a hit and run offense, which is a criminally punishable. That said, please follow along to find out the different degrees of punishment for a hit and run offense and how one of the proficient Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers at Fendley and Birch can defend your case.

What are the different degrees of punishment for a hit-and-run accident?

The Tennessee criminal court may evaluate the circumstances surrounding your hit-and-run accident to see whether it resulted in property damage, injuries, or even fatalities. This may influence the degree of punishment they inflict on you. More specific examples of this are as follows:

• A hit-and-run accident that results in property damage is considered a Class C misdemeanor:
  • A fine of up to $50.
  • A jail sentence of up to 30 days.
  • A temporary driver’s license suspension.
• A hit-and-run accident that results in injuries is considered a Class A misdemeanor:
  • A fine of up to $2,500.
  • A jail sentence of up to one year.
  • A mandatory driver’s license suspension.
• A hit-and-run accident that results in fatalities is a Class E felony:
  • A fine of up to $3,000.
  • A prison sentence of one to six years.
  • A mandatory driver’s license revocation.

What happens if I was under the influence at the time of a hit and run?

It may make it more difficult to defend your hit-and-run offense if it is uncovered that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. Here, the combined punishments of a hit-and-run offense and a driving under the influence (DUI) offense may be quite significant. For example, for a first-time DUI offense, you may face a fine of up to $1,500 and a jail sentence of one year. This, with a Class C misdemeanor for a hit and run with property damage, may mean a cumulative fine of $1,550 and jail time of one year and one month, approximately.

In a worst-case scenario, though, the Tennessee criminal court may be aware that you have a history of DUI offenses. Or, if at the time of your hit and run, you were found to have a high blood-alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.20 percent or higher. If this is coupled with an accident that resulted in fatality, the court may charge you with aggravated vehicular assault while driving intoxicated. This is categorized as a Class A felony. This means your fine may be upgraded from $3,000 to $50,000, and your prison time may extend from one to six years to 15 to 60 years.

If this is what you are currently up against, do not try to put up a fight without the legal assistance of one of the talented Clarksville DUI lawyers from Fendley and Birch. We urge you to retain our services as soon as possible.