"The Joslyn Law Firm is highly experienced and nationally recognized for their Criminal and DUI Defense. Brian Joslyn is an Award-Winning Criminal and DUI Defense attorney who, along with his team, has handled hundreds of cases and has helped their clients obtain the best results possible."

Hit and Run (Leaving the Scene of an Accident)

Alleged offenders who charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) after leaving the scene of a crash are likely to face extremely severe penalties. All motorists in Ohio are required to stop and exchange information following any accident, and failure to do so may result in felony charges when other people are injured as a result.

Prosecutors will pursue very tough punishments for people accused of hit and run (frequently referred to as “hit skip” in Ohio) crimes while driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs.

In addition to lengthy imprisonment and steep fines, alleged offenders can also have their driver’s licenses suspended for substantial periods of time.

Ohio Lawyer for Hit and Run

If you were charged with leaving the scene of an accident in addition to OVI in Ohio, it will be critical for you to immediately seek legal representation. The Joslyn Law Firm works tirelessly to get criminal charges reduced or dismissed for clients all over Cincinnati and the greater Hamilton County area, including Lebanon, Norwood, Middletown, Hamilton, and many others.

After leaving the scene of a crash, it is important to immediately contact a criminal defense attorney to help you. The attorney can contact law enforcement on your behalf, keep the officers from coming to your home or office to interrogating you about the crash, and help you deal with the insurance company.

Cincinnati OVI attorney Brian Joslyn also defends people in such surrounding communities as Wilmington in Greene County, Marysville in Warren County, and Oxford in Clinton County. Call (513) 399-6289 right now to have him review your case during a completely free initial consultation.

Overview of Hit and Run Accidents in Hamilton County

• How are hit skip charges classified in Ohio?
• What are the possible consequences if alleged offenders are convicted?
• Where can I learn more about crashes in Ohio?

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Ohio Charges for Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Three statutes under Chapter 4549 of the Ohio Revised Code deal with a motorist’s duty to stop following an accident. The statutes include:

• Stopping after accident on public roads or highways — Ohio Revised Code § 4549.02;

• Stopping after accident on other than public roads or highways — Ohio Revised Code § 4549.021; and

• Stopping after accident involving damage to realty or personal property attached to real property — Ohio Revised Code § 4549.03.

When accidents involve collisions with persons or property, drivers are required to immediately stop and remain at the scene of the accident until they have given their name, address (and the name and address of the owner of that motor vehicle if the driver is not the owner), and the registered number of that motor vehicle, to any person injured in the accident, the operator, occupant, owner, or attendant of any motor vehicle damaged in the accident, or to any police officer at the scene of the accident or collision.

If drivers are involved in an accident resulting in damage to real property, or personal property attached to real property, they are required to stop and take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of the property of that fact as well as their name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle the driver was driving.

If the owner or person in charge of the property cannot be located, the driver should, within 24 hours of the accident, forward the information to the police department of the city or village in which the accident occurred.

The classification of these crimes depends on the nature of the injuries involved:

• First-Degree Misdemeanor — No injuries;
• Fifth-Degree Felony — Serious physical harm to a person; or
• Third-Degree Felony — Death of a person.

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Hit Skip Penalties in Cincinnati

Alleged offenders who are charged with leaving the scene of an accident in addition to DUI in Ohio will typically face facing additional counts of vehicular assault or vehicular homicide / manslaughter when crashes result in injuries or death.

The possible penalties just for the hit and run charges include a minimum six month class five driver’s license suspension up to three years as well as one of the following sentences:

• First-Degree Misdemeanor — A fine of up to $1,000 and up to 180 days in jail;
• Fifth-Degree Felony — A fine of up $2,500 and up to 12 months in prison; or
• Third-Degree Felony — A fine of up $10,000 and up to five years in prison.

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Ohio Resources for Hit and Run Accidents

Crash Report and Instructions | Cincinnati Police Division — People who have been involved in accidents and need to file crash reports can do so on this website. Use of this website is limited to accidents that occurred within the geographical boundaries of the city of Cincinnati. You can open and print instruction sheets and crash reports, and then complete the crash report, sign it, and bring it to police headquarters.

Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) | Crash Reports — You can download crash data for the past five years of crashes in all 88 counties of Ohio on this website. You can also generate Facts Books reports and parameterized queries in the state of Ohio for the past five years containing pre-formatted reports categorized on different aspect of crashes. The website can also be used to view and print the Ohio Traffic Crash Report as reported to ODPS.

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Find a Leaving the Scene of an Accident Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio

Were you recently arrested for OVI after an alleged hit and run crash in Ohio? The Joslyn Law Firm represents clients charged with DUI and related offenses in and around Cincinnati, including such surrounding communities as Mason in Franklin County, Butler in Butler County, and Fairfield in Clermont County.

Brian Joslyn is an experienced Cincinnati criminal defense attorney. He will provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case so you can understand all of your legal options as soon as you call (513) 399-6289 or complete an online form to arrange a free, confidential consultation.

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