Michigan Hit and Run DUI Lawyer

Michigan Hit and Run DUI Attorney

A DUI charge is serious on its own, but allegations of hitting a vehicle and leaving the scene can make matters even more complicated. If you live in the Greater Detroit area and are facing this combination of charges, you need legal representation you can rely upon. A Michigan hit & run DUI lawyer can fight your charges so you do not face the most serious consequences under the law.

A Law Firm Dedicated to Helping Clients During Difficult Times

Since 1993, Jeffrey Randa and Associates has gone above and beyond to help clients facing DUI charges in the Metro Detroit area. No one plans to be arrested for driving under the influence. Sometimes, the police get it wrong, while other times, a DUI could mean coming to terms with a lingering substance use disorder. Whatever happened, we’re here to help and to let the courts see that you want to make things right.

Once you secure representation from our firm, you’ll find that our legal team is compassionate and relatable. For decades, our firm has delivered exceptional results for our clients, and we do it by being open and honest with the people we represent while delivering a strategic approach to every case. Partner with our legal team and find what has kept us thriving and serving the Greater Detroit area for decades.

Understanding Michigan’s Hit-and-Run DUI Laws

Busy areas in the Metro Detroit area along I-75, Woodward Avenue, and Lodge Freeway can create the conditions for a hit-and-run accident. A hit-and-run can lead to criminal penalties under Michigan Vehicle Code Section 257.617 or MCL 257.618.

The law prohibits anyone from leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death. Violating this law can lead to a felony charge, while incidents that only result in property damage can be charged as a misdemeanor. If alcohol is involved, a driver may also face DUI charges in addition to hit-and-run, which can compound the legal consequences. In 2023, there were 8,817 alcohol-involved crashes in Michigan.

Anyone who violates these laws can face serious consequences, especially if they were intoxicated at the time of the collision. Penalties can include license suspension, fines, and potential confinement in jail or prison. Metro Detroit prosecutors aggressively pursue hit-and-run cases, and first-time offenders can face serious and long-term consequences.

What to Do if You Left the Scene of an Accident

Leaving the scene of an accident, especially if you were under the influence, can quickly escalate into a serious legal problem in Metro Detroit. If you flee an accident on I-94, Grand River Avenue, or Telegraph Road, the Michigan State Police and local law enforcement may already be investigating.

The first step is not to panic. Whether you left the scene of the accident unintentionally or out of fear, your first course of action should be to consult with an attorney before speaking to law enforcement.

Acting quickly can help your case. Police can rely on traffic cameras and other forms of evidence to identify your car. Voluntarily coming forward, when done correctly, can help you mitigate the penalties you are facing. If you are falsely accused of a hit-and-run DUI, your lawyer can help you fight your charges.

Your attorney can offer advice tailored to your case. If your accident involved property damage only, returning to the scene of the collision to find the property owner might help you avoid serious penalties, but you first need to ask your DUI attorney about doing that. Some areas, like construction sites, can pose hazards for any driver. In 2022, crashes in construction zones rose by 28%, climbing from 5,814 in 2021 to 7,436.

If injuries are involved, you could be facing criminal charges. Either way, seeking legal representation is not an admission of guilt, and your attorney can help you make sound judgments during a difficult time. Crashes are a common occurrence, and not everyone who is involved in a collision is charged criminally. Michigan recorded 287,953 traffic crashes in 2023.

How a Hit-and-Run DUI Can Affect Your License

If you are charged with a DUI tied to a hit-and-run case, you could be facing automatic license suspension or revocation. Michigan enforces strict penalties for DUI-related offenses. You can face an immediate administrative suspension of your driving privileges.

If the accident caused injuries or death, your license may be revoked for years or even permanently. Refusing a breathalyzer at the scene could also trigger a one-year suspension under Michigan’s implied consent law.

For repeat offenders or cases involving severe damage, regaining driving privileges often requires a driver’s license restoration hearing that involves proving sobriety. You must also demonstrate that you are no longer a risk on the road.

A hit-and-run DUI case should be taken seriously by anyone facing those types of charges. Wayne County Jail and Macomb County Jail frequently hold individuals facing long-term driving restrictions due to DUI offenses.

Can I Be Charged With a DUI After Admitting to a Hit-and-Run?

If you are charged with a hit-and-run and law enforcement alleges that you were intoxicated at the time of the collision, you have the right to remain silent on that accusation. Anything you say can be used against you, and law enforcement often tries to intimidate suspects into admitting guilt and saving them the time of having to do real detective work.

It is important to remember that the burden of proving that you were under the influence of a drug or alcohol falls on law enforcement. If officers contact you, stay silent and secure an attorney as soon as possible. Do not discuss your case with anyone.

Possible Criminal Defense Strategies for a Hit-and-Run DUI Charge

If you are facing a hit-and-run DUI charge in Metro Detroit, having the right legal defense strategy can lead to reduced or dropped charges. Whether the alleged offense happened on Woodward Avenue, I-96, Hall Road, or elsewhere, police and prosecutors must meet certain legal burdens when proving their case.

Since a hit-and-run DUI involves two separate crimes, challenging any part of the state’s case could help your defense. Common defenses could include:

• Mistaken identity. Police can make mistakes when trying to identify the car that was involved in a hit-and-run. If they only have the make and model but not the license plate, a suspect could be falsely accused of being involved in an accident that they were not a party to. Even if the vehicle was involved, there may have been a different driver involved in the collision.
• Lack of knowledge. Many crimes rely on the element of criminal intent. If you genuinely did not realize that you were involved in an accident, that may help your case. During inclement weather or situations where it was loud outside, a minor collision may not have been noticeable. An unintentional collision could potentially be handled as a civil matter between insurance companies.
• Improper stop or arrest. Law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion to stop you. If they had no clear idea about what the suspect’s car looked like but relied on guesswork or racial profiling, that could lead to the key evidence gathered during an unlawful stop being found inadmissible in court.
• Challenging blood alcohol content (BAC) results. If the breathalyzer or blood test results are unreliable due to improper testing procedures, contamination, or medical conditions, your DUI charge could be dismissed or reduced. Breathalyzers are supposed to be calibrated at regular intervals to ensure their readings are accurate.

If the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove that you committed these two crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, your lawyer can call for your charges to be reduced or dropped. During the plea bargain portion of your case, prosecutors may offer a reduced charge that could include reckless driving. You do not have to accept a plea bargain agreement, but your lawyer can go over the potential benefits of accepting a reduced charge.

Why Legal Representation Is Critical Following a DUI-Related Charge

Facing any DUI-related charge in Metro Detroit can lead to serious consequences that can affect your personal life and future career ambitions. Prosecutors in and around Detroit aggressively pursue DUI cases. Without strong legal representation, you could potentially face the harshest penalties under the law.

Having legal representation balances the scales of justice in your favor. Facing criminal charges can be an isolating experience. An attorney affords you the opportunity to fight your charges and to get your side of the story across in court.

Prosecutors may falsely believe that you acted with criminal intent when you did not. In other cases, you may have been falsely identified as the suspect for a crime you did not commit. Every case is unique and requires a legal approach that is tailored to the specifics of the case.

If a defendant has an unaddressed substance use disorder, seeking treatment could provide your attorney with further proof of your intention to address lingering addiction problems. Having an experienced DUI defense lawyer also increases your chances of reducing or dismissing charges. If your arrest occurred on I-94, Woodward Avenue, or I-696, your attorney can examine whether law enforcement followed proper procedures.

The ideal outcome for any criminal case is often dropped charges or a not-guilty court verdict, but a favorable plea bargain agreement based on mitigating factors related to your case can also allow you to move on with your life and put the unfortunate ordeal behind you.

FAQs

Schedule Your Michigan Hit-and-Run DUI Consultation Today

Leaving the scene of an accident while under the influence can lead to felony charges, license revocation, and even time behind bars. Michigan courts do not go easy on hit-and-run DUI cases, but not every situation is as clear-cut as the prosecution claims. Whether there were extenuating circumstances or a misunderstanding, the right legal strategy can make a difference.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we know how to challenge DUI hit-and-run allegations and fight for a better outcome. Our firm provides experienced, strategic legal representation to drivers across Metro Detroit. We’ll take the time to examine every detail of your case. Contact our office today to schedule your no-cost consultation.