What to Do After a Hit and Run Arrest in Los Angeles

The first thing to do when arrested for a hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles is to exercise your legal right to remain silent and hire a criminal lawyer in Los Angeles immediately. You can face some very serious charges that could incur severe misdemeanor or felony penalties, which is why appropriate legal representation is non-negotiable.

Key Takeaways:

What you do immediately after a hit-and-run arrest will have a big impact on how your case progresses through the California court system.
You should not make any statements (official or public) or take any actions until you know your legal rights. This will help you prevent saying or doing something self-incriminating.
You must preserve evidence of the incident and secure legal representation early to boost your chances of an effective defense.
Competent pre-filing intervention by a top criminal lawyer in Los Angeles can help you resolve a hit-and-run case before prosecutors can officially file charges.

Getting arrested for a hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles can endanger your driver’s license, your profession and career, and your liberty. To safeguard your future, it is crucial to exercise your right to remain silent and obtain legal counsel from a hit-and-run lawyer in Los Angeles before authorities inadvertently establish the terms of the case against you.

Understanding Your Charges: Misdemeanor vs. Felony Hit-and-Run

If you have been arrested for a hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles, you will be charged under California Vehicle Code 20001 VC or 20002 VC, depending on the extent of damage you have caused.

California VC 20001: You will be charged with a felony under this section if the incident results in injury or other bodily harm or death to another person. If convicted, you could face jail time of up to 5 years in a state prison, along with financial penalties of up to $10,000.
California VC 20002: This is a misdemeanor offense that applies if the incident results only in property damage. If convicted, you could face jail time of up to 6 months in county prison, along with financial penalties of up to $1,000.

Your hit-and-run lawyer in Los Angeles can get your charges reduced to a misdemeanor offense or have them completely dismissed, depending on the evidence available and what defense strategies you agree to during the pre-filing stage.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Arrest?

When you are arrested for a hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles, it is normal for your emotions to take over. In such an emotional state, you are prone to make mistakes that could later harm your defense. Hence, you need to be alert to everything happening around you and make it your priority to protect your legal rights. Don’t try to resolve the situation on your own; let a hit-and-run lawyer in Los Angeles take care of that for you.

The moment you are arrested for a hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles, follow the steps listed here.

Key Step	Why It Matters	Practical Tip
Remain Calm	Emotional reactions can lead to poor decisions.	Cooperate respectfully without volunteering unnecessary information.
Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent	The statements you make now may later become evidence.	Answer basic identification questions but avoid discussing the incident without legal counsel.
Request for a criminal lawyer in Los Angeles	Legal guidance should begin as early as possible.	Clearly state that you wish to speak with your attorney before answering questions.
Preserve Relevant Information	Important details may support your defense.	Write down everything you remember while the events are still fresh.
Avoid Discussing the Case	Conversations with others may create additional complications.	Do not post about the incident on social media or discuss it publicly.

Table: Immediate steps after a hit-and-run arrest

Key Evidence That Can Help To Build Your Defense

The quality of evidence you collect during and after the incident will help you clarify disputed events, establish timelines, or challenge parts of the prosecution’s case. In fact, your evidence can be used to challenge and disprove the prosecution’s narratives, which will help you get a favorable judgment from the court and jury.

When you are involved in an accident, collect all the evidence you can, including:

Key footage from dashcam recordings
Photographs depicting the damage to the vehicle
Contact information of key witnesses
Footage from surveillance and traffic cameras
Device-tracking records of the phones and other devices of key participants
Records of vehicle maintenance
Photographs of the accident scene
Communication records related to the incident

Your criminal lawyer in Los Angeles will identify evidence that may be most relevant based on the specific circumstances of your case.

Final Verdict: Protect Your Rights from the Very Beginning

If you are involved in a hit-and-run incident, there will likely be an arrest. However, getting arrested does not prove your guilt or get you a conviction. It’s just the beginning, and the actions you take immediately after will determine your immediate and long-term future. Don’t face the criminal justice system alone. Get a professional and competent hit-and-run lawyer in Los Angeles to protect your legal rights and help you get a firm grasp of your legal situation.

Arrested for an Alleged Hit and Run in Los Angeles?

Consult a top criminal lawyer in Los Angeles immediately after your arrest so that they can evaluate your case, protect your rights, and help you understand your legal options from the very beginning.