Leaving the Scene of an Accident in St. Louis County
Feb. 15, 2022
What happens when you have been in a car accident in St. Louis County and don't stop? This is called Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and it carries criminal sanctions.
What Happens When You Leave the Scene of an Accident in St. Louis County?
While driving if you hit another vehicle, a pedestrian, or simply run into a mailbox, then you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident. Missouri law requires you to pull over and provide your information to the other driver or wait for the police to arrive and provide your information to the officer.
What Information Do You Need To Give?
If you know you have been in an accident, you are required to provide the following information:
Your name;
Your residence, including city and street number;
The registration or license number for your vehicle or vessel; and
Your operator's license number, if any.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
In St. Louis County, if you leave the scene of an accident without providing your information, then depending on the surrounding circumstances you can be charged with a Misdemeanor Felony.
Class A Misdemeanor
For Leaving the Scene of an Accident n St. Louis County, you can be charged in Municipal Court with a class A Misdemeanor, if no one is injured and/or the value of any property damaged is less than $1,000.00.
Alternatively, you could be charged with a class A Misdemeanor in St. Louis County Circuit Court.
The range of punishment for a class A Misdemeanor in Missouri is: From 1 day in the County Jail up to 1 year in the County Jail, a $2,000.00 fine, or a combination of both.
What Happens if the Other Person is Injured?
If you injured other driver, a passenger, or pedestrian and leave the scene of the accident, then you can be charged with a class E Felony or a class D Felony in St. Louis County Circuit Court.
Class E Felony
Under Missouri law, the offense of Leaving the Scene of an Accident is a class E Felony if:
Physical injury was caused to another party; or
Damage in excess of one thousand dollars was caused to the property of another person; or
The defendant has previously been found guilty of any offense in violation of this section; or committed in another jurisdiction which, if committed in this state, would be a violation of an offense of this section.
The range of punishment for a class E Felony in Missouri is: From 1 day in the County Jail up to a term of years not to exceed 4 in prison, a $10,000.00 fine, or a combination of both.
Class D Felony
Under Missouri law, the offense of Leaving the Scene of an Accident is a class D Felony if a death has occurred as a result of the accident.
The range of punishment for a class D Felony in Missouri is: From 1 day in the County Jail up to a term of years not to exceed 7 in prison, a $10,000.00 fine, or a combination of both.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident can lead to serious jail time. If you recently were in an accident and left without giving your information, contact Anthony Bretz to discuss your options. You need a skilled criminal attorney to represent you when facing felony charges.