Most hit and run cases in California result in only property damage. Property damage hit and run cases can involve either attended property (such as another occupied vehicle driving down the road) or unattended property (such as a parked car, mail box, or fence). The criminal investigation begins when a witness sees the crash and writes down the driver’s license plate number. Officers can then figure out who owns the vehicle and travel to that person’s home or business to interrogate them about the crash.

After finding the owner of the vehicle, the officer wants a confession to determine the following:

  • who was driving;
  • whether the driver knew the crash occurred;
  • whether the driver failed to stop at the scene; or
  • whether the driver stopped but then left the scene before providing all of the information required by statute.

People leave the scene for a variety of reason. Some people are worried about being DUI or have a suspended license. In some cases, the person doesn’t know that the crash occurred or thought that no damage occurred.

Sometimes a driver just succumbs to an instinct to “take flight” even though the driver knows that remaining at the scene is the right thing to do. No matter the reason, it is always better to remain at the scene and deal with the consequences.

Once you leave the scene then a criminal investigation will begin. Once the criminal investigation begins, you are entitled to assert your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself under the 5th Amendment. Also, under the 6th Amendment you are entitled to have an attorney represent you at all stages of the hit-and-run investigation. Don’t compound your initial error by trying to resolve the case yourself. Instead, seek out the services of a qualified criminal defense attorney in California.