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The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger
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Backed by 15 Years' Experience
as a Former Prosecutor Specialized in Criminal Defense

St. Petersburg Defense Attorney for Leaving an Accident Scene

Our DUI Attorney Has 29 Years of Experience

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol could lead to an accident. If a drunk driver strikes another car or a pedestrian, he or she is obligated to stay at the scene. In Florida, any motorist involved in a crash resulting in damaged property or injury must not leave until the requirements of Florida Statute 316.062 have been fulfilled.

Get in touch with our firm for your free consultation. 

Duty to Give Information and Render Aid

If you are involved in an accident "resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person," you need to leave your name, address, and your vehicle registration number (VIN) to the injured party. According to Florida law, if the other person is incapable of receiving your information, you must give it to a police officer. If no officer is present at the crash, you must call one as soon as possible, particularly if another party or yourself is injured.

Proof for Conviction

In order to be charged with leaving the accident scene, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you knew or should have known, someone or something was injured or damaged. If someone else was wounded in the accident, you might only be charged with one count of leaving the scene.

Penalties for Conviction

If no one was injured and no property was damaged during a car accident, you would only be charged with a nonmoving violation. However, if someone was hurt or killed in the crash, you could be accused of a felony. For anyone mildly injured during an accident, you would be charged with a 3rd-degree felony. If someone has been severely injured, the charge would be a 2nd-degree felony. A 1st-degree felony would occur if someone was killed in the collision.

You may face some of the following sentences:

  • 3rd-degree felony: up to 5 years in prison, 5 years of probation, and a $5,000 fine
  • 2nd-degree felony: up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine
  • 1st-degree felony: up to 30 years in prison, 30 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine

These punishments would be on top of any DUI charges that you may have to face. See our Mandatory Minimum DUI Penalties chart for more information.

Call an Experienced DUI Attorney at (888) 863-7415

You don't want to face prison time. Call our excellent St. Petersburg DUI attorney, Timothy Hessinger today. He has 29 years total of criminal law experience, including working as a prosecutor for 15 years for the State Attorney. As your legal representative, Tim would evaluate your case and operate from a position of strength in all discussions with the prosecutor.

Contact us at (888) 863-7415 or fill out our online form for a free case consultation today.

Our Settlements & Verdicts

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • DUI charge reduced to Reckless Driving DUI
  • Not Guilty after Jury Trial Possession of Undersize Stone Crab Claws
  • Reduced to Felony Battery, dismissed, sealed. Aggravated Battery
  • All charges dropped. Loitering and Prowling
  • All charges dropped. Battery Domestic
  • All charges dropped. Battery on Spouse

    Why Choose The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger?

    • 15 years experience in the State Attorney's office
    • Confidential, complimentary initial consultations
    • Accepting calls and cases 24 hours a day
    • Exclusively devoted to criminal defense
    • Tried Over 140 Jury Trials
    • Impressive track record of charge reductions, acquittals, and dismissals

    Contact Us Today

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    Hear From Our Happy Clients

    At The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

      "He helped our entire family feel secure"
      Mr Hessinger acted in a professional and competent manor. I felt very secure with him handling my case.
      - Former Client
      "He was professional, patient, knowledgeable, kind, helpful, and compassionate."
      His level of expertise in his field was was above anything I could have imagined.
      - Diane C.
      "Tim is well respected within the legal community."
      It is evident that Tim is well respected within the legal community by the prosecution and the judiciary.
      - Legal Professional
      "We are so grateful beyond words as to hiring such a dedicated attorney who always had our back."
      Tim was always available either by text, call, and email; he always promptly answered our questions as to anything pertaining to our case.
      - Vivianna
      "I was in the most capable hands!"
      From my initial interview to the successful conclusion of my case, Mr. Hessinger was extremely thorough, thoughtful and most of all gave me a sense of security knowing that I was in the most capable of hands.
      - Dave