I was charged with a DUI hit and run. What penalties could I face?

The penalties that you face for a DUI hit and run can vary greatly depending on the accident that you left behind.  If there were injuries or a death, you could be looking at a felony hit and run.  With the DUI on top of that, you could face some stiff fines and prison time. A San Diego man, last month, received a 11 year prison term for a DUI hit and run that left a woman dead in front of her mother.

Drunk driving during a hit and run accident is a case that involves multiple offenses.  You could be looking at a DUI charge; hit and run charge; and, depending on the injuries or deaths at the accident, you could also face reckless driving, bodily injury, and vehicular homicide.  These could be enhanced if you have any prior DUI offenses.  A hit and run with no injury could be a misdemeanor; but a DUI hit and run with serious injury could be a felony, violent crime. 

Even if this is your first offense you could face 4 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Previous DUI’s can increase the time and fine significantly. If the injured party was killed, that vehicular homicide could add 5 years to the sentence.

A DUI and a hit and run are both serious offenses, in some states more than others.  However, combined and adding an injury or death, you could be looking at significant time and fines.  You should contact a criminal defense attorney for advice and assistance.