Hit & Run, Racing and
Reckless Driving
Hit and Run
Hit
and
Run
refers
to
the
crime
of
leaving
the
scene
of
an
accident
without
identifying
yourself
to
the
other
parties
involved
and
causing
damage
to
property,
or
injury,
or
both.
The
difference
between
a
misdemeanor
“hit
and
run”
and
a
felony
“hit
and
run”
is
determined
by
whether
an
injury
to
a
person
has
occurred.
If
there
is
bodily
injury
to
a
person, the crime becomes a felony.
What
most
people
don’t
realize
is
that
they
may
have
committed
these
crimes
even
if
they
1)
were
not
at
fault
in
an
accident,
2)
were
injured
in
the
accident
and
3)
regardless
of
how
minor
the
damage
to
property
may
be.
It
also
applies
if
the
property
damaged
is
other
than
the
other
party’s
car
(e.g.,
bicycle,
fence,
etc.).
In
some
cases,
a
person
may
also
be
charged
if
he/she
caused
the
accident
even
though
his/her
car
did
not
collide
with
property or a person.
An
experienced
defense
attorney
may
make
a
world
of
difference
in
your
case.
There
may
be
legal
defenses
to
assert
or
defeat
one
of
the
elements
necessary
for
the
prosecution
to
prove.
For
example,
“causation”
or
your
identity
may
be
key
elements
that
the
prosecution
cannot
prove
beyond
a
reasonable
doubt,
or
you
may
lack
the
required
state
of
mind
in
knowing
that
you
caused
the
injury
or
damages.
A
successful
defense
may
get
you
an
acquittal,
lowering
of
charges,
or
even
a
dismissal.
See
some
of
our successful case results.
Racing
California
made
it
illegal
to
race
against
another
vehicle
or
a
timing
device.
This
is
called
“speed
contest”
or
racing.
It
is
a
misdemeanor
for
first-time
offenders
generally,
but
may
be
charged
as
a
felony
for
a
second-time
offender
or
if
a
person
is
injured
as
a
result
of
the
contest.
Although
the
1950s
and
1960s
street
racing
scenes
are
not
as
common
anymore,
many
young
drivers
still
find
pleasure
in
the
thrill
of
testing
the
limits
of
their
vehicles,
and
that
of
their
opponent, in many ways.
Our
defense
attorneys
can
review
the
facts,
provide
an
analysis,
determine
whether
defenses
apply
and
develop
a
strategy
to
minimize
the
effect
these
charges
may
have
on
your
future.
A
conviction
may
affect
your
insurability,
driving
privileges
or
even
a
job
offer
that
relies
on
having
a
clean
driving
record.