Tampa Leaving the Scene of an Accident Attorney
Being charged with leaving the scene of a crash in Florida is a serious matter that can carry severe penalties, including jail or prison time, driver's license suspension, costly fines, and a permanent criminal record. As an experienced Tampa leaving the scene of an accident attorney, Ruffin Hunt understands how aggressively these cases are prosecuted in Hillsborough County and throughout the Tampa Bay area. Whether the allegations involve property damage, injury, or a felony hit-and-run offense, early legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. If you have been accused of leaving the scene of an accident, contact Hunt Law today to speak with a skilled Tampa leaving the scene of an accident attorney and begin building a strong defense immediately.
What is Leaving The Scene Of A Crash in Florida?
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such crash or as close thereto as possible, and shall forthwith return to, and in every event shall remain at, the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of section 316.062.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person shall give his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, and shall upon request and if available exhibit his or her license or permit to drive, to any person injured in such crash or to the driver or occupant of a person attending any vehicle or other property damaged in the crash and shall give such information and, upon request, exhibit such license or permit to any police officer at the scene of the crash or who is investigating the crash and shall render to any person injured in the crash reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary, or if such carrying is requested by the injured person.
Potential Jail or Prison Time
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Leaving The Scene Of A Crash involving property damage is a second degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in the county jail.
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Leaving The Scene Of A Crash involving injury to a person (other than serious bodily injury) is a 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in Florida State Prison.
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Leaving The Scene Of A Crash involving serious bodily injury is a 2nd degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in Florida State Prison.
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Leaving The Scene Of A Crash involving death is a 1st degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in Florida State Prison. This offense also carries a 4-year minimum mandatory prison sentence.
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A conviction for 2nd degree misdemeanor Leaving The Scene can result in a fine of up to $500.
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A conviction for 3rd degree felony Leaving The Scene can result in a fine of up to $5,000.
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A conviction for 2nd or 1st degree felony Leaving The Scene can result in a fine of up to $10,000.
Tampa Leaving the Scene of an Accident Attorney
Being accused of leaving the scene of an accident in Florida can place your freedom, driving privileges, and future at risk. Whether the crash involved property damage, bodily injury, or a fatality, prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively and seek harsh penalties. If you have been arrested or are under investigation, speaking with an experienced Tampa leaving the scene of an accident attorney as soon as possible is critical.
At Hunt Law, we represent individuals throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County who are facing hit-and-run and leaving the scene charges. Our firm understands that every accident situation is different. In many cases, confusion, panic, fear, lack of awareness, or misunderstandings about what happened can play a major role in the allegations. An arrest does not automatically mean you will be convicted, and there may be important defenses available depending on the facts of your case.
Penalties for Leaving the Scene of a Crash in Florida
Under Florida law, the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident depend largely on whether the crash involved only property damage, injuries, or death. Even a misdemeanor offense can result in serious consequences that affect your record, employment opportunities, insurance rates, and driver's license status.
Potential penalties may include:
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Jail or prison time
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Driver’s license suspension or revocation
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Significant fines and court costs
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Probation and community service
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A permanent criminal record
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Increased insurance premiums
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Points against your license
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Felony charges for accidents involving injuries or fatalities
Because these cases can escalate quickly, hiring a skilled Tampa leaving the scene of an accident attorney early in the process may help protect your rights and improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.
Common Defenses to Leaving the Scene Charges
Every case should be carefully examined for weaknesses in the State’s evidence. In some situations, law enforcement may make assumptions before conducting a full investigation. At Hunt Law, we thoroughly review the facts, witness statements, surveillance footage, vehicle damage, and police reports to identify possible defenses.
Potential defenses may include:
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Lack of knowledge that an accident occurred
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Mistaken identity
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Insufficient evidence linking you to the crash
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Emergency circumstances
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Failure of law enforcement to conduct a proper investigation
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Constitutional violations during the investigation or arrest
An experienced Tampa leaving the scene of an accident attorney can evaluate whether the prosecution can actually prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Why Choose Hunt Law
When you are facing criminal charges, choosing the right defense attorney matters. Hunt Law is dedicated exclusively to criminal defense and represents clients throughout the Tampa Bay area. Our firm understands the local court system, prosecutors, and procedures involved in leaving the scene and hit-and-run cases in Hillsborough County.
We work aggressively to challenge the State’s evidence, negotiate for reduced charges when appropriate, and prepare every case as though it may proceed to trial. Our goal is always to protect your freedom, your record, and your future.
If you are searching for a trusted Tampa leaving the scene of an accident attorney, do not wait to get experienced legal guidance. Early intervention can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.
Contact a Tampa Leaving the Scene of an Accident Attorney Today
If you have been arrested for leaving the scene of a crash in Tampa, FL, it is important to act quickly. Statements made to law enforcement and delays in obtaining legal representation can negatively impact your defense. Contact Hunt Law today for a confidential consultation with an experienced Tampa leaving the scene of an accident attorney and take the first step toward protecting your rights and your future.
What Are The Elements Of Leaving The Scene?
To prove the crime of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Only Damage to an Attended Vehicle or Attended Property, the State must prove the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Defendant) was the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash.
2. The crash resulted only in damage to a vehicle or other property.
3. The [vehicle] [other property] was [driven] [attended] by (name of person).
4. (Defendant) failed to stop at the scene of the crash or as close to the crash as possible and remain there until [he] [she] had given identifying information to (name of person in element #3) [and to any police officer at the scene of the crash or who is investigating the crash].
Gaulden v. State, 195 So. 3d 1123 (Fla. 2016); State v. Elder, 975 So.2d 481 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007).
For the defendant to be “involved in a crash,” a vehicle, though not necessarily the defendant’s vehicle, must collide with another vehicle, person, or object.
Give if applicable. State v. Elder, 975 So.2d 481 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007).
“Involved” means to draw in as a participant, to implicate, to relate closely, to connect, to have an effect on, to concern directly, or to affect.
§ 316.062(1), Fla. Stat.
“Identifying information” means the name, address, vehicle registration number, and if available and requested, the exhibition of the defendant’s license or permit to drive.
§ 316.003, Fla. Stat. Some of these terms have their own statutory definitions, which should be given if necessary.
“Vehicle” means every device, in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway[, except personal delivery devices, mobile carriers, and devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks].
J. Ruffin Hunt
Managing Member, Hunt Law, PLLC.
Attorney J. Ruffin Hunt is a Tampa criminal defense attorney and founder of Hunt Law, a firm focused exclusively on criminal and DUI defense throughout the Tampa Bay area. Born and raised in Tampa, Mr. Hunt earned his degree from the University of Florida before attending Stetson University College of Law. He began his legal career at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, where he gained extensive courtroom and trial experience handling misdemeanor, felony, and DUI cases. Over the course of his career, he rose to leadership positions within the office, serving as a Division Chief in multiple divisions.
Mr. Hunt has dedicated his entire legal career to criminal defense and understands the serious consequences that criminal charges can carry. He represents clients facing a wide range of charges, including DUI, drug offenses, sex crimes, domestic violence allegations, theft crimes, violent offenses, probation violations, and other serious criminal matters. As a former board member of the Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mr. Hunt remains committed to protecting the constitutional rights of individuals accused of crimes and providing aggressive, strategic representation for clients throughout Tampa Bay.
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Grant - March 2026
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Greg - January 2026