Hit-and-run accidents are treated as a criminal offense in Ohio. That's right. Even though normally accidents are like traffic tickets-two points violations similar to the consequences of a speeding ticket-when you leave the scene, the consequences are more severe. And note that we aren't just talking head on collisions. Even when a driver is suspected of running into an unoccupied vehicle or a building, and then flees the scene, that's a serious misdemeanor in Ohio. Accusations of inflicting injuries before driving off or running away are treated the most seriously, but no charge for what Ohio police officers and prosecutors call "hit skip" can be taken lightly.

Hit and Run With Only Property Damage

Hitting a car in a parking lot without at least leaving a note detailing how the owner can contact you is treated as a first-degree misdemeanor under Ohio law. A conviction on the charge can result in a 6-month jail sentence, criminal fines of up to $1,000, and two points against the perpetrator's driver's license. Yikes.

Hit and Run With Injuries

Leaving the scene of an accident in which someone suffered injuries is considered a fifth-degree felony. And there is no question that being charged with committing a felony is serious. The potential penalties involve serving time in prison (up to a year), fines of up to $2,500, and a driver's license suspension of at least six months. Plus, six points on your driving record.

Hit and Run When Someone Dies

When you're in a traffic accident that results in a death, and you do not stay on scene to provide assistance and speak with police and emergency responders, it's a third-degree felony. Penalties for this type of conviction include up to five years in prison, fines totaling $10,000, and a lengthy driver's license suspension and six points.

Other Charges Possible

A hit-and-skip suspect can also be charged with other offenses as well. These can include any of the following criminal offenses and traffic violations:

• Vehicular homicide
• Aggravated vehicular assault
• Reckless operation
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
• Failure to yield right of way
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Lane violation

Consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable Columbus hit-and-run defense attorney about the significance and provability of your case is highly recommended. Prosecutors can and do overcharge suspects, sometimes as part of a strategy to win at least one conviction, or simply to prompt you to plead guilty to a charge, despite having a weak case on the main allegations.

Insurance and Civil Lawsuits

Alleged hit-and-run drivers also face serious collateral consequences, many of which are financially devastating for a family. For instance, being named a defendant in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can subject a person to a lifetime of fiscal hardships; especially since insurance companies rarely cover the entire amount of a large settlement or court judgment. And, declaring bankruptcy or experiencing unemployment due to incarceration cannot discharge you from court-ordered obligations to make compensation following a hit-and-skip case.

A hit & run attorney in Columbus, Ohio is necessary to provide you with the type of representation you really need. This includes questioning police officers and witnesses' abilities to definitively identify the accused person as the at-fault driver, reexamining all the physical and forensic evidence collected by the prosecution, and presenting facts that show the defendant had no reason to know that a collision had taken place.

If you need help with a hit-and-run accident case, call Campbell Law, LLC at (614) 356-8515 to schedule a free consultation. You can also contact us online at any time.

Image Credit: Creative Commons / scottc320

Columbus criminal attorney April Campbell successfully tried a fifth-degree felony theft case, where the Defendant Kelly Phillips agreed to sell over $ 2,000 worth of girl scout cookies but never returned the cookies, or the money. 

Assistant Montgomery County Prosecutor April Campbell argued before the Supreme Court of Ohio on a second-degree felony case, about whether the legislature's definition of nudity violated Martin's free speech rights, for his illegally using a minor in nudity-oriented material conviction.

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An arrest is no joke. Neither is being charged with a criminal or traffic offense. If any of these circumstances apply to you, you should hire a Columbus criminal defense attorney. Here are five reasons why:

1. You need someone who will actually listen to you.

It's a harsh reality that following any arrest, most people will consider you to be the wrongdoer, even before you open your mouth. And that isn't fair. After all, our legal system is founded upon the principle of "innocent until proven guilty." But it is just reality that police, prosecutors, judges, and people in your community, will likely assume that you are guilty-just because you've been arrested.

Hiring your own lawyer ensures you can rely on one person to take your side. Your attorney's role is to defend you. It's your defense attorney's role to fight the sort of assumptions that make pleading your case seem like a losing battle. And, it's your attorney's role to speak out against the negative opinions of people who may only know you only as someone who has been charged with a crime.

1. You need a legal advocate who is dedicated to protecting your rights.

Another sad but true fact: Many people facing arrest, indictment, and convictions, just shouldn't be. There are several reasons why this is true. For example, cars can be improperly stopped; warrants can be improperly obtained and executed. Sobriety tests can be poorly conducted. Criminal investigations can be founded on inadmissible evidence. And, lingering prejudices and biases play a part as well.

A skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer will seek to prevent the system from operating against you. You cannot always count on an overworked public defender to provide the time and attention required to deeply examine every aspect of your case.

1. You need an attorney in your corner who knows the law.

Successfully challenging weak evidence, wrongful incarcerations, and unfounded criminal charges requires possessing extensive knowledge of the legal code, police practice, court procedure, and decisions from previous cases.

Before devoting herself to representing criminal defendants, April Campbell of Campbell Law was a prosecutor. That experience benefits you, because it means that Campbell Law know's how to spot mistakes: whether it be law enforcement errors, evidence that discredits the prosecutor's case; or legal precedent that is not properly followed.

1. You need a champion who can tell your story clearly and compellingly.

At all stages of prosecution, you need an attorney to champion your position. You need a defense attorney who will counsel you during interrogations, conduct necessary and effective evidentiary hearings in your case, and advocate for you during pretrial negotiations over possible plea deals. You need an attorney who speaks the court's language to officers, prosecutors, and judges. And, you also need an attorney who will make sure you understand what is happening at all times.

Your lawyer's advice can protect you against unintentional self-incrimination and steer you toward the best outcomes.

Most importantly, your Columbus defense lawyer will make sure that all the evidence that supports your innocence or points toward leniency is presented and fully considered. This makes hiring a private defense attorney particularly important. Having an attorney who will conduct an independent investigation-apart from the work done by the police and prosecutors, can be crucial.

1. You need an ally devoted to ensuring you do not receive unfair and unjust penalties.

No honest attorney will guarantee you will avoid a conviction. What you can count on your criminal defender to do is make every effort to save you from an undeserved punishment and an overly harsh sentence.

To schedule a free consultation with a criminal lawyer in Columbus, OH, contact Campbell Law today.