Here is a question for my readers: What’s worse than driving drunk or drugged and getting into an accident? Answer: Driving drunk or drugged, getting into an accident, and fleeing the scene of the accident. You can call it hit-and-run, failure to stop, or leaving the scene. It all comes down to this: hit-and-run DUI can run you into a felony.
As readers of this blog may already know, a DUI conviction can be a simple misdemeanor. However, repeat offenses and other contributing factors can add up to a DUI felony charge in Arizona. Leaving the scene of an accident that involves any injury or death is always a felony. Leaving the scene of an accident when only vehicle damage occurs is usually a misdemeanor.
You may think you would be lucky if all you had to pay for was damage to a vehicle, or a couple of vehicles. Although “lucky” is not a term anyone would normally associate with a DUI charge, vehicle damage is certainly different from harming a person with your actions behind the wheel. Because the other penalties, in cases of death and injury plus failure to stop, include incarceration from four to ten years added on consecutively to other time being served for other charges, driver’s license revocation from five to ten years, fines and other restitution, and the use of an IID (ignition interlock device).
It is common sense–not legal advice–that if you are involved in any kind of motor accident, to stop immediately and call the police. If you are involved in a DUI situation, your actions at the scene may have major consequences. If you would like to know more about how DUI laws may affect you, or you are facing any DUI-related situation, contact Zachary Law Group. We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation to help identify any legal issues that concern you. Then we can work together to “Zach-It” – that is, establish and protect your legal rights, and pursue the best possible solution.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you believe you need legal advice. Contact us at 1-855-Zach-law.
