Hit & Run: If you were involved in an accident and were either arrested or charged with the crime of Hit and Run, attorney Alexander Ransom will fight to protect your rights.
In general, “Hit and Run” criminal charges are the result of one party causing damage to another individual’s property or person and leaving the scene of the accident before contacting the property owner, calling the police, and/or producing the proper driver’s licensing, vehicle information, and insurance documentation. Fortunately, attorney Alexander Ransom is highly skilled as dismissing Hit & Run cases.
Consequences
Hit and Run charges can be both misdemeanors and felonies, depending on the seriousness of the accident and whether or not someone was seriously injured. Penalties include jail, a mandatory license suspension or revocation of one year or more, loss of commercial driver’s license (CDL), steep fines, restitution (paying for any property damage), lengthy probation periods, dramatic increases in vehicle insurance rates and seriously impeding future job opportunities, particularly if the job requires any kind of driving.
Lastly, Hit and Run/Attended is considered a major moving violation for purposes of the Habitual Traffic Offender Law. If you have three major moving violations within five years you will be classified as a Habitual Traffic Offender and as a result will face a lengthy license suspension. This is another offense that could possibly be resolved in a civil manner which will result in the criminal charges being dismissed.
Defenses
Although many defenses exist to Hit & Run – including lack of evidence, no property damage, pre-damaged property, etc. – the most straightforward strategy to dismiss Hit & Run charges is seeking a Compromise of Misdemeanor.
Dismissals: The Compromise of Misdemeanor
Under Washington law, certain misdemeanor crimes can be “compromised” with a dismissal. The procedure to obtain a “compromise of misdemeanor” requires the victim to provide a written acknowledgment – usually in the form of a signed declaration – that s/he has been compensated for their injury. If the victim provides such an acknowledgement, the court has discretion to dismiss the misdemeanor.
The policy behind the compromise of misdemeanor statute is to promote making the victim whole again through restitution, avoid prosecution for minor offenses, and vesting discretion with the trial court to dismiss where a compromise has been reached by all parties involved. Therefore, a compromise of misdemeanor may be an excellent resolution. The key requirement is that the injured party must acknowledge in writing that he or she has received satisfaction for the injury.
For more information, please read Alexander’s Legal Guide titled, “Dismissing Property Cases: The Compromise of Misdemeanor.”
Alexander is highly proficient at obtaining dismissals through compromise of misdemeanor agreements. He has effectively saved many of his client’s Commercial Driver’s Licenses from getting revoked, and thereby saved their careers as well.
Alexander has successfully formed highly technical and complex agreements involving vehicle insurance companies, city claims adjusters, Loss Prevention Staff, Human Resources personnel and the Department of Licensing. For more information, please review his record of dismissals.
If you or someone you care about is charged with Hit & Run in Skagit County or Whatcom County, call attorney Alexander Ransom today for a free, no-pressure case evaluation. Alexander has a reputation in the legal community as an aggressive, effective and experienced criminal defense attorney. He is here to assist you through these difficult times.
