Hit and Run – 20001 (Felony) 20002 (Wiscl)
If you are facing a charge for a hit and run, it’s important to note if you’re being charged for hit and run with bodily injury, hit and run with serious injury or death, or hit and run with property damage only. Each type of hit and run carries its own potential punishments.
Hit and run with bodily injury
This charge is known in California as a “wobbler”, meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. How it’s charged depends on the seriousness of the injury and your criminal history. If convicted of a misdemeanor, a sentence could consist of:
- Jail time of up to one year
- A fine of $1,000 to $10,000
- Or both
If convicted of a felony, and sentence could include:
- Jail time of up to three years
- A fine of $1,000 to $10,000
- Or both
Hit and run with serious injury or death
If a victim in the hit and run suffers severe injury or even death, the crime can still be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances. However, due to the seriousness of the crime, the penalties are more severe. For a misdemeanor conviction, you’re looking at:
- A minimum of 90 days up to one year in jail (however the court may reduce or eliminate the mandatory minimum)
- A fine of $1,000 to $10,000
- Or both
If you are convicted of a felony, the sentence could include:
- Two to four years in prison
- A fine between $1,000 to $10,000
- Or both
If you leave the scene of an accident after committing manslaughter, your punishment could be enhanced or increased by an additional five years in prison.
Hit and run with property damage only
This is only a misdemeanor and would be punished by:
- Up to six months in jail
- A fine of not more than $1,000
- Or both