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Colorado Hit-and-Run Charges, Penalties & Defense: An Overview (Pt. 1)

January 16, 2015

Here’s a look at the nature and severity of various types of Colorado hit-and-run charges. Contact us for the best defense if you’ve been charged with hit-and-run.

Getting into a car accident can be unnerving and distressing and, depending on a given situation, may cause people to panic and flee the scene of the accident. Because Colorado law, however, requires that all drivers stop at the scene of motor vehicle accidents, if or when motorists are accused of failing to comply with this law, they can face hit-and-run criminal charges (which are also referred to as “leaving the scene of an accident” charges).

In this two-part blog series, we will take a closer look at the different types of Colorado hit-and-run criminal charges that can be filed against people, as well as the associated penalties for these charges (in the event of conviction). We’ll also reveal some effective defense strategies for standing up to Colorado hit-and-run charges and successfully resolving these cases.

If you or someone you love is facing Colorado hit-and-run criminal charges (or any criminal charges), don’t hesitate to contact the trusted Denver and Boulder Metro Area criminal defense attorneys at the Griffin Law Firm. We are committed to providing the accused with aggressive legal advocacy and helping them bring their criminal cases to successful resolutions.

A Closer Look at Colorado Hit-and-Run Charges & Penalties

The following table provides an overview of the more common types of Colorado hit-and-run charges that can be filed in the state, as well as the associated penalties in the event of conviction.

Colorado Hit-and-Run Charge	Severity of the Offense	Maximum Possible Penalties(upon conviction)
Leaving the scene of an accident *involving property damage*	Class 2 misdemeanor	1 year in jail $1,000 in fines
Leaving the scene of an accident *resulting in injuries*	Class 1 misdemeanor	18 months in jail $5,000 in fines
Leaving the scene of an accident *resulting in serious bodily injury*	Class 5 felony	1 to 3 years in prison $500,000 in fines
Leaving the scene of an accident *resulting in death*	Class 3 felony	4 to 12 years in prison $750,000 in fines

Reference: C.R.S. 42-4-1601, 42-4-1602

Here, it’s also important to note that, regardless of the severity of Colorado hit-and-run charges, a conviction will generally also result in:

The loss of one’s driving privileges (with the duration of this depending on the facts of the case and a person’s driving record/criminal history)
12 points being added to one’s driving record.

Be sure to check out the upcoming second installment of this blog series for our discussion of effective ways to defend people against Colorado hit-and-run charges.

Denver and Boulder Metro Area Hit-and-Run Defense Lawyer at the Griffin Law Firm

Have you or a loved one been accused of hit-and-run or any other traffic offense? If so, you can turn to the experienced Denver and Boulder Metro Area hit-and-run defense lawyer at Griffin Law Firm for the best defense. Dedicated to aggressively defending the rights of the accused in any legal setting, our attorney wants you to know that he is ready to immediately start providing you with the strongest possible defense.

Regardless of whether you are facing criminal charges for the first time, have prior convictions and/or were on probation or parole at the time of the alleged crime, our trusted Denver and Boulder Metro Area hit-and-run defense attorney will work diligently to help you obtain the best possible outcome to your case.

Contact Us Today

To learn more about your best defense options, as well as how we can help you, contact us by calling (303) 280-1070 or by emailing us using the contact form at the top of this page.