Under C.R.S. 42-4-1601, the traffic offense of Hit and Run (Leaving the Scene of an Accident) in Denver, Arapahoe, and Douglas County requires the help of an attorney to fight the injustice of our courts. This traffic offense can occur through a variety of settings and individual situations. Sometimes people hit a parked car, other times they panic after being in a traffic collision. When someone is accused of Hit and Run, it is vitally important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer in Denver right away.
When you are charged with Hit and Run, the police in Arvada, Lakewood, and Aurora will immediately try to speak with you about what happened. Do NOT speak with them. The police are looking to get you to admit to the elements of an offense, and then will arrest you for leaving the scene of an accident. Even an innocent person can be made to look guilty when questioned by the police without an attorney present. Speaking at all – even the truth – will get you convicted.
Hit and Run charges in Larimer, Jefferson and Broomfield County can be very costly. If convicted, you could face a wide variety of punishments from the court like jail, probation, fines, community service, and the loss of your Colorado driver’s license. A conviction of Leaving the Scene of an Accident, C.R.S. 42-4-1601, in Adams, Jefferson, and Weld County, will constitute a 12 point violation with the DMV. When you accumulate 12 or more points in any 12 months period, the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will revoke your license to drive for one year.
A woman I was in an accident with berated me for my poor driving and when I asked for her information she stated, “No. I will take yours but I am in a rush and will not give it to you.” Then she left. She was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident for not exchanging information. Of course, when I was contacted later by the police about the charges I told them that I did not wish to pursue any against her; we have all had one of those frantic days and I didn’t think that she deserved to be punished.
As outlined here, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, or Hit and Run, is a very serious crime with dire punishments, including the loss of your Colorado driving privileges. So, if you have been contacted by the police about a Hit and Run, be smart, exercise your right to be silent, and call the experienced attorneys at O’Malley Law Office at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.