Bucks County, PA Hit and Run Defense Lawyer

Being accused of a crime and placed under arrest is always a scary and upsetting experience.  When you are facing very serious charges like hit and run, the anxiety level climbs even higher.  Unfortunately for Bucks County motorists facing these charges, a hit and run conviction can be penalized very harshly, including significant prison time and steep restitution fines.

The consequences of a hit and run conviction can also outlast the original penalties, stretching far into the future.  If you have a hit and run incident documented on your criminal record, you may run into difficulties when seeking out new employment, or even applying to live in certain communities.  Most companies and landlords run background checks on prospective employees and tenants, and a criminal record could interfere with important areas of your life for years to come.

If you are facing hit and run allegations, you could lose everything you value, including your career, your income, your reputation — even your freedom itself.  During this challenging and difficult time, you need the support of a compassionate and experienced defense attorney.  Call the law offices of Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (609) 755-3115 in New Jersey or (215) 701-6519 in Pennsylvania today to schedule your free, private consultation.

You have been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, and a trial is looming in the future. Prosecuting attorneys are trained to wring incriminating information out of defendants with tough, relentless questioning tactics.  If you approach the prosecution without the assistance of a seasoned defense lawyer, you are setting yourself up for an unfair, one-sided battle.  You deserve better than that: you deserve to have your legal rights protected and respected.  You deserve justice.

At the law offices of Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates, our stance is that our clients are innocent until proven guilty.  No matter how complicated or overwhelming the charges against you may feel, we are here to support and guide you through each and every step of your case as it develops.  Our Bucks County hit and run lawyers have more than 30 years of experience handling thousands of cases, and our legal team includes former prosecutors.  When you need an aggressive, committed attorney backed by decades of experience, our criminal defense firm is here for you.

Pennsylvania Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident

“Hit and run” refers to “hitting” a person with your car, and then “running” from the scene before you can be identified or charged.  Under Pennsylvania’s Consolidated Statutes, this is a punishable criminal offense.

In the state of Pennsylvania, motorists are obligated to remain at the scene of an accident, regardless of how major or minor the damage appears to be.  If you leave the scene of accident that causes property damage only, you can be penalized with huge fines and incarceration — and if you leave the scene of an accident where another person was injured or killed, the penalties become even worse.

Under Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3743, leaving a scene of property damage only is a 3rd Degree Misdemeanor, and can lead to:

• Fine: $2,000
• Sentence: 1 year

If you cause injury or death and leave the scene, the charges are elevated from misdemeanor to felony.

Under Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3742, if the person is injured, it is a 3rd Degree Felony, and may be penalized with:

• Fine: $15,000
• Sentence: 7 years

If the person is killed, it is a 2nd Felony, and you may be penalized with:

• Fine: $25,000
• Sentence: 10 years

It is also important to be aware that these offenses come with mandatory minimum penalties, which can be neither suspended nor reduced.  The minimum penalties for hit and run with injury include a 90 day sentence and $1,000 fine.  Minimum penalties for hit and run with a fatality include a one-year sentence and $2,500 fine.

Our Bucks County Hit and Run Defense Lawyers Can Help

Hit and run charges are serious, even where “only” property damage occurs.  If another person was injured or killed, you could be convicted of a felony, permanently altering your life and damaging your future opportunities.  To arrange for a free and confidential legal consultation with a Bucks County defense lawyer, call the law offices of Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (609) 755-3115 in New Jersey or (215) 701-6519 in Pennsylvania, or contact us online.