Facing hit-and-run charges in Colorado Springs? Take a deep breath. You have rights.
Though the legal waters may seem murky, experienced guidance can help you navigate them. The team at Right Law Group has defended countless hit-and-run cases. We know how to protect your future.
Leaving an accident scene, commonly called hit and run, brings serious penalties. Fines. Jail time. License suspension. Felony charges, even. The weight of it all can feel crushing. But don’t lose hope. With knowledge comes power. Arm yourself with an understanding of these complex cases.
Regain your footing with help from our Colorado Springs hit-and-run lawyer. The sooner you call us, the faster we can start building your defense. This legal battle can be won, and you don’t have to fight it alone.
Colorado law requires any driver involved in an accident to remain at or return to the scene. You must also share your identifying information and offer reasonable assistance to injured parties.
Of course, accident scenes can be chaotic.
With emotions running high, mistakes happen. That’s why having an experienced hit-and-run lawyer can make all the difference. While leaving the scene is generally prohibited in Colorado, certain exceptions exist. For instance, if you initially stopped and complied with the rules but left briefly to call 911 when there were no injuries and your information was provided.
At Right Law Group, we’ve successfully defended clients against leaving-the-scene charges for over a decade. Whether it was confusion at the scene or a lapse in judgment, we know how to build an effective defense to avoid harsh penalties.
Make no mistake, convictions for leaving the scene carry severe consequences in Colorado.
Based on circumstances, penalties can include:
We know you want to avoid these life-altering punishments. The good news? Right Law Group has a proven track record of keeping clients out of jail and protecting their records and licenses.
In Colorado, the DMV issues “points” against your driver’s license for various offenses. This includes hit-and-run convictions, which carry a steep 12 points.
Here’s how Colorado’s point system works:
This suspension lasts for one year for a first offense. Subsequent offenses within 3 years lead to 9-month suspensions. Probationary licenses are still possible during suspension, but restrictions apply.
As you can see, the 12 points for a hit-and-run conviction put your license in serious jeopardy.
Even one hit and run can lead to suspension if you had prior offenses accrue points recently.
That’s why defending against these charges and avoiding a conviction is so important. The stakes are high, but an experienced hit-and-run lawyer knows how to help you avoid both criminal penalties and impacts on your driving privileges when possible. Don’t wait to seek expert help.
It depends. It can take the police a few days to a few months to catch up to you if you committed a hit and run, and it’s quite possible that they could never catch you at all.
Hit-and-run charges often come after lengthy crash investigations by police. They’ll leverage paint transfers, car parts, eyewitnesses, security footage, and other evidence to identify the at-fault driver.
Having an attorney early in the process helps protect your rights and advise you on the best course of action during the investigation.
While the allegations should always be taken seriously, there are often defenses an experienced criminal lawyer can use to challenge the charges.
For example:
See what we mean? An aggressive legal defense strategy focused on poking holes in the prosecutor’s arguments can many times achieve favorable outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hit and run convictions in Colorado Springs can carry fines up to $2,000, up to 1 year in jail for misdemeanors, 2-6 years in prison for felony injury accidents, a permanent criminal record, 12 points against your driver’s license, and license suspension.
If you are being investigated for a hit-and-run accident in Colorado Springs, it is important to exercise your right to remain silent and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. They can protect your rights during the investigation.
Potentially, yes – if there is evidence you were unaware an accident occurred, it may be possible for an attorney to prevent criminal hit-and-run charges from being filed in some cases in Colorado.
In Colorado, the statute of limitations gives the prosecution one year for misdemeanor hit-and-run charges and three years for felony charges. However, investigations happen quickly, so don’t wait to consult an attorney.
Beyond potential criminal charges, a hit and run can expose you to significant civil liability if injured parties file lawsuits related to the accident. Consult an attorney on ways to minimize both civil and criminal consequences.
