Accused of leaving the scene of an accident?
Call Houston defense lawyer Jack B. Carroll for help!
In The State of Texas, especially Houston and Harris County, failure to stop and render aid (FSRA) or failure to stop and give information (FSGI) after colliding with a person or private property can result in criminal charges. Evading arrest with a motor vehicle can result in a felony charge.
I’ve had two personal friends charged with felony evading arrest with a motor vehicle simply because a police officer, on foot, and one on horseback, hand signaled them to pull over. They did not see the hand signal and the next thing they knew they were surrounded by four to five Houston Police Department squad-cars and forcefully yanked from their vehicles.
When a person is accused of not stopping to render aid after a car crash which involves injury, property damage, or loss of life, it’s a felony criminal charge (also known as leaving the scene of an accident).
Whether the offender will be charged with a felony or a misdemeanor offense is mainly contingent on the nature and severity of the accident. If there was significant property damage or if a person suffered severe injuries, the defendant can expect charges to be escalated based on such.
Also keep in mind that if you’re charged with hit & run or “leaving the scene of an accident,” any previous criminal history on your part could become a factor.
Need to discuss your case with a lawyer?
Reach out to Jack B. Carroll & Associates at 713-228-4607.
If you were charged with hit & run or leaving the scene of an accident, Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer Jack B. Carroll can help you. We provide awesome legal representation, we win most of our cases, and we’re among the best and most respected criminal defense law firms in Houston. If you need to discuss your case with experienced legal counsel, call us today at 713-228-4607.
Although we’re based in Downtown Houston, we’ll also appear in court on behalf our clients and other defendants in Brazoria County, Chambers County, Ft. Bend County, Galveston County, Harris County, Liberty County, Montgomery County, San Jacinto County, and Waller County.
Call Houston Hit and Run Defense Attorney Jack B. Carroll to schedule your in-depth case evaluation.
Criminal Charges & Penalties for a Hit and Run in Texas
Felony Charges Hit and Run Charges
- A 3rd Degree Felony is applied if a person is alleged to be guilty of leaving the scene of an accident in which death or serious personal injury is a factor. In the State of Texas, a 3rd-degree felony carries a sentence of 2-10 years with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
- If there is a minor injury involved, the most lenient punishment is a 3rd Degree Felony with up to 1 year of county jail time or up to 5 years state jail with a potential fine of up to five thousand dollars.
Misdemeanor Hit and Run Charges
- A hit and run case in which damages were caused to a vehicle with occupants carries a Class C misdemeanor with fines of up to $500.
- If property damaged estimates are above 200.00, Class B misdemeanor charges apply, along with up to six months of county jail time.
Penalties for a Hit and Run Conviction in Texas
You Don’t Have To Go To Jail
If you were found guilty, you could likely get probation or community supervision rather than jail time so long as you’ve hired a competent criminal defense lawyer. This is especially true if it’s a first offense, no one was killed, and you don’t have a previous felony conviction.
The court may also seek to suspend your Texas Driver License.
A successful defense to a hit and run prosecution often requires physical evidence and eyewitness testimony. These additional elements of the case will give Houston Criminal Attorney Jack B. Carroll multiple fronts to fight on your behalf.
With respect to our 4th Amendment rights as Americans, we may be able to have evidence suppressed if it was collected illegally, as well as challenge any eyewitness accounts as a tenet of your defense.
If you or a loved one were charged with a misdemeanor or felony hit and run or a similar crime related to leaving the scene of an accident, call Jack B. Carroll, one of the most experienced criminal lawyers in Houston, at 713-228-4607.