DUI and Hit-and-Run

A person who drives while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and leaves the scene of an accident will likely be charged with two crimes: DUI (also called "driving while intoxicated" or "DWI") and hit-and-run. This article provides an overview of the potential penalties associated with leaving the scene of a DUI-related accident.

Hit-and-Run

Hit-and-run is a serious offense even when alcohol or drugs aren't involved. State law varies, but generally, the punishment for a hit-and-run conviction depends on whether the accident resulted in property damage, injury, or death.

How Hit-and-Run is Defined

The laws of each state are different. However, if a car accident results in property damage, injury, or death to a person, the driver has certain duties. These duties include remaining at the scene, providing information, and assisting anyone that's injured.

Generally, hit-and-run is defined as leaving the scene of an accident without providing your personal information or assistance to the others involved in the accident.

Misdemeanor and Felony Hit-and-Run Penalties

In most states, a hit-and-run accident resulting in only property damage is a misdemeanor. On the other hand, hit-and-run collisions that result in injury or death to another person typically lead to felony charges.

Whereas a misdemeanor hit-and-run typically carries a maximum of a year in jail and fines of maybe a few thousand dollars or less, a felony hit-and-run conviction can result in severe penalties, including prison time and significant fines.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence can involve severe consequences regardless of whether or not there was an accident.

How DUI is Defined

In most states, a driver can be convicted of a DUI for driving while actually impaired by drugs or alcohol or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more.

Standard Misdemeanor and Felony DUI Penalties

A DUI is typically a misdemeanor but can be a felony if the defendant has a certain number of prior DUI convictions or there were other aggravating factors such as serious injuries or a death. (Get more specific information about DUI-related killings.)

For a first DUI where no one was injured or killed, the driver might be looking at a few days in jail at most, a few thousand dollars in fines, and a six-month license suspension. But a person who's been convicted of DUI twice in the past or severely injures another person while drunk driving could be facing something more like five years imprisonment, fines of up to $100,000, and a lifetime driver's license revocation. Prior convictions and aggravating factors also tend to increase the likelihood that the driver will have to install an ignition interlock device (IID).

Combination DUI and Hit-and-Run Penalties

Drivers who are under the influence might choose to leave the scene of an accident to avoid being breath tested and/or arrested for DUI. There may also be situations where the driver is so impaired he or she just didn't notice the accident. A driver who leaves the scene of an accident in such circumstances—and gets caught—will likely be charged with DUI and hit-and-run, and if convicted, will typically face penalties for both offenses.

Generally, when a person is convicted of a crime, the judge has some discretion in deciding what—within a range specified by law—the person's sentence should be. For example, a second DUI normally carries up to a year in jail, but judges rarely impose the full year. When sentencing a defendant for DUI, judges typically consider a variety of factors, including whether the offense involved an accident, injuries, or other aggravating factors. The fact that a DUI involved a hit-and-run accident (and vice versa) isn't going to improve the defendant's chances of receiving a lenient sentence. The most likely scenario is that the judge will enhance the penalties for both offenses.

Criminal Charges Related to DUI Hit-and-Run Accidents

Depending on the circumstances, a person who drives while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and leaves the scene of an accident may also be charged with other crimes, such as reckless driving and vehicular homicide.

Fighting Charges for a DUI Hit-and-Run Accident

When a DUI also involves a hit-and-run accident, the stakes are usually high. If you've been arrested for this type of offense, getting legal assistance is important. An experienced DUI lawyer can help you understand how the law applies in your case, let you know if you have any viable defenses, and advise you on the best course of action.