What are the Defenses to California Misdemeanor Hit and Run Under California Vehicle Code 20002 VC?
Three defenses most often apply to a California misdemeanor hit and run case: • That the only damages sustained were to your car, • that you lacked knowledge (either about your involvement in the accident or about the damages), and/or • that it wasn’t you who was involved in the accident. • Your car was the only damaged property If, for example, you were driving a compact car and hit a large SUV, your car may have been the only one damaged. When that is the situation, there is no duty to stop or exchange information under California’s misdemeanor hit and run law. Similarly, if you hit someone else’s property — a wrought-iron fence, for example — which caused damage to your car but left the fence unblemished, you could not be convicted under Vehicle Code 20002. • Lack of knowledge If you didn’t know that you were involved in an accident, there can be no criminal liability for a California hit & run. This defense obviously wouldn’t work in a case where there was significant damage done
