Leaving the Scene of an Accident NJ Charges

Cherry Hill NJ Leaving the Scene of an Accident Attorneys

Defense Lawyers for Leaving a Car Accident in Camden County and throughout South Jersey

In New Jersey, leaving the scene of an accident can be a serious traffic violation or criminal offense, depending on the circumstances of the specific case. When you are involved in a car accident in New Jersey, you are obligated to stay at the scene of the crash and to notify the nearest law enforcement agency. If someone is injured, you must contact emergency personnel to ensure they receive medical treatment as soon as possible. Even when no one else is present and there is simply property damaged, you are required to report the accident. Failure to stay at the scene of a motor vehicle accident is a serious offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-129. Based on the damage or injuries caused by the accident, you may be forced to pay heavy fines and even to serve jail time if convicted. If you have been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Attorney William Fay has been dedicated to providing superior criminal defense for clients charged with crimes and motor vehicle violations for years. With offices in South Jersey, our criminal defense law firm serves clients throughout New Jersey. Our legal team includes former Deputy Attorney General for New Jersey Attorney General’s Office William Fay, who is now a formidable opponent for any prosecutor in local municipal and superior courts. He meticulously investigates our clients’ cases to find errors in police procedure and holes in the prosecution’s arguments, which we then use to achieve the best possible results. For a free consultation with an experienced leaving the scene of an accident lawyer, contact us at 609-832-3202 today.

Leaving the Scene of a Car Accident in violation of NJSA 39:4-129

Any person involved in a motor vehicle accident in New Jersey must follow the rules outlined in New Jersey Statute 39:4-129. First, you must come to a complete stop as near the scene as possible. If a person is injured or dead, or if any vehicle or property is damaged as a result of the crash, you must provide your information to the person injured, the owner of the damaged property, any police officer or witness to the accident, or to the driver or occupants of the vehicle you collided with. The information you must give includes your name, current address, contact information, driver’s license number, and your vehicle registration.

If a person is injured, you must help them get medical treatment immediately, whether that involves calling an ambulance or taking them to the nearest doctor or hospital. If no one is present and you are involved in a car crash, you must contact the nearest police department or law enforcement agency to provide the information. Notably, New Jersey requires a police report for accidents resulting in $500 or more in property damage, as well as those resulting in injury or death. If the accident is more minor and there is no police report filed, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission must still be notified.

New Jersey Penalties for Leaving an Accident Scene

The potential penalties for leaving the scene of a car accident in New Jersey are determined by the extent of the injuries or property damage caused by the collision. Specifically, if the accident results in injury or death of another person, you may face up to 180 days in jail, a fine between $2,500 and $5,000, and a period of driver’s license suspension. If it is your first offense, you may lose your license for one year. For a second offense, the State may permanently revoke your license.

If you leave the scene of an accident resulting in property damage and no injuries to others, you face lesser penalties. If convicted, you could be sentenced to up to 30 days in jail, a fine between $200 to $400, and suspension of your driving privileges for up to 6 months. For a second or subsequent leaving the scene charge, you are exposed to a jail sentence of up to 90 days, a fine ranging from $400 to $600, and a one-year license suspension.

It is important to note that you may also be charged with a third degree indictable crime for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury means permanent disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of function or movement of any bodily organ or member, or injury creating a substantial risk of death. A third degree leaving the scene conviction may mean up to 5 years of incarceration.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Criminal Charge in NJ

There are two types of charges for leaving the scene of an accident: a traffic charge and a criminal charge. The classification of the offense makes a huge difference when it comes to the possible penalties that can be imposed if you are convicted or plead guilty, which is why it is imperative that you have a solid understanding of these charges and what they could mean for you. The less serious of the two types of charges for leaving the scene of an accident is a traffic charge. The far more serious type of charge for leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal charge. If you are charged with a criminal offense for leaving the scene, the penalties may include significant jail time. So, what distinguishes a criminal charge for leaving the scene from a motor vehicle ticket for leaving the scene? The criminal offense is set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.1 of the New Jersey criminal code, and it states that “knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury” is a felony. The key distinction here is that the injuries sustained by the other motorist, or by any passengers in either vehicle, were serious enough to create a substantial risk of death or cause permanent disfigurement, impairment, or loss of the function of a body part or organ.

If you are charged with a crime for leaving the scene, the prosecutor will first need to seek an indictment from a grand jury. To be indicted by the grand jury, the jury’s members must find that there is sufficient evidence to formally charge and prosecute you for the crime. This type of private proceeding goes on without your involvement and you will not attend. Only after the jury’s decision to issue a no bill or true bill will you find out if you are being indicted. Prior to this, you may be able to resolve the case by having your lawyer work out a more favorable deal with the prosecutor during your Pre-Indictment Conference. Generally speaking, the stakes are so high in these kinds of criminal cases that the defendant will almost certainly want to be represented by a criminal defense attorney.

Contact a Voorhees Leaving the Scene of an Accident Defense Attorney Today

If you have been accused of leaving an accident scene in Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, or elsewhere in South Jersey, it is imperative to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your rights and legal options. Our criminal defense law firm includes a group of highly knowledgeable criminal attorneys who will ensure you have the legal guidance you need during this stressful time. For a free consultation, call our office at 609-832-3202 or contact us online to begin your conversation.

Testimonials

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"Excellent criminal defense lawyer"

"William handled a matter for me and exceeded my expectations. He was excellent in all areas of the law and achieved an outstanding result. Best of all,he demonstrates honesty and integrity. I would highly recommend William and already have."

Wayne

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"Amazing!!!"

"I was so scared and nervous about my legal situation but Mr. Fay did an outstanding job with my case!!! I was so relieved with the outcome and he worked so hard for me! He was so calm and understanding and I’m so grateful for him. Thank you so very much for helping me! I am so grateful appreciative."

Jessica

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"All Charges Dropped & Expunged"

"William defended me in my marijuana + paraphernalia case, he had all charges dropped and expunged! Despite the fact I was long past conditional discharges/probation, etc. He has a sharp wit and a bright future ahead of him as an attorney. Thanks again Will!"

Andrew

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"Fantastic Lawyer"

"Mr. Fay is a fantastic lawyer. He helped me during a very stressful time in my life. He was knowledgeable about my case and what my options were. He answered all my questions and was very reassuring. He was there waiting for me at the entrance on my court date and made me feel at ease. He worked with the prosecutor to reduce my charges. I got the best outcome I could have hoped for. I highly recommend Mr. Fay if you need a lawyer."

Eric

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"Marijuana Charges"

"I was arrested and summoned to court for possession of marijuana, even though I didn't have any on me. It was my first time getting in trouble and I was terrified and nervous. Mr. Fay came into court prepared and was extremely assuring. He made it very clear that he was going to fight for my case until the very end. He was extremely knowledgable about my case and the ways to resolve it. I would recommend Mr. Fay to anyone who has gotten into trouble."

former client

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"Excellent lawyer. Highly recommended."

"Mr. Fay is extremely caring and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain the entire process in a very clear manner and was a tremendous help during a stressful time. He was always available to take a phone call and really showed that he cared about me and my case. I highly recommend Mr. Fay as an attorney." "

former client

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"Highly recommend"

"Great lawyer. Created a best possible outcome for my case."

former client

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"Amazing job, explains very clearly"

"He did a fantastic job on my case, making my penalty much less than I thought it could possibly be. He clearly understands what he is doing and can explain everything in a way that anyone can understand. Any questions I had were answered very clearly and he listened to all small details of my case."

former client

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