What Are Hit and Run Charges in Fairfax?
Hit and Run charges in Fairfax have serious consequences. Hit and Run charges in Fairfax are punished with jail (or prison), fines, automatic DMV demerit points, and driver’s license suspension or revocation. Hit and Run charges in Fairfax are crimes and a conviction will remain on the offender’s permanent criminal record and can never be expunged.
Hit and Run Charges in Fairfax Result from Failing to Report an Accident
Virginia law requires any driver involved in a car accident, no matter how minor, to provide to the other driver or property owner his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number. If the driver cannot locate the other property owner, he must leave a note with this information, in addition to his contact information, the date, time, and location of the accident, and a description of the property damage, as well as report the accident to the police within 24 hours. The driver also has a duty to render aid to anyone injured in the accident.
Hit and Run Charges in Fairfax Involving Property Damage
A Hit and Run charge in Fairfax involving damage to unoccupied property is a misdemeanor. If the damage was less than $250, the offense is a Class 4 misdemeanor, punished with a fine up to $250 and 3 DMV demerit points. If the accident resulted in more than $250 in property damage, the offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor. It is punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and 3 DMV demerit points. If the damage exceeded $500, the offense is punished with driver’s license suspension up to 6 months and 4 DMV demerit points.
Hit and Run Charges in Fairfax Involving Occupied Property Can Be Punished With Up To 10 Years In Prison
If the accident involved occupied property, the Hit and Run charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony. If the damage was less than $1,000, the offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and 4 DMV points. If the accident resulted in more than $500 in property damage, the offender’s driver’s license can be suspended up to 6 months. If the property damage was more than $1,000, the offense is a Class 5 felony. It is punished with up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, 6 DMV demerit points, and the offender’s driver’s license will be automatically revoked for one year.
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Hit and Run Charges in Fairfax Resulting in Injury or Death
If someone was injured or died as a result of the accident forming the basis for the Hit and Run charge, the offender will also be charged with a Class 5 felony. This offense is punished with up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, 6 DMV demerit points, and automatic driver’s license revocation for one year.
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Hit and Run Charges in Fairfax Involving Passengers
A passenger in a vehicle involved in accident must report that accident to the police within 24 hours if he knows the driver did not make the required report. Failing to report the accident will result in a criminal charge. If the accident resulted in less than $250 in damage to unoccupied property, the offense is a Class 4 misdemeanor. It is punished with a fine up to $250. If the accident resulted in more than $250 in damage to unoccupied property, or any damage to occupied property, the offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor. It is punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500. There is an additional penalty of driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months if the property damage exceeded $500. If the accident resulted in injury or death, the passenger will be charged with a Class 6 felony for failing to report the accident. This offense is punished with up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, and automatic driver’s license revocation for one year.
Click here for more information on Hit and Run charges in Virginia involving a passenger’s failure to report.