If your loved one is currently in custody after a hit and run arrest, you will be determined to get them out of jail right away. Posting bail for hit and run offenses is the only way to secure their freedom between now and their trial date. Here at Future Bail Bonds, we can help you find the quickest and most affordable solution.

This quick guide to posting bail for hit and run crimes in California 

What is a hit and run offense in California?

Hit and run offenses in California can be found under Penal Code 20001 (Felony Hit and Run) and Penal Code 20002 (Misdemeanor Hit and Run). While the former can carry the larger custodial sentence, all hit and run crimes are serious issues that can lead to severe punishments for the culprit.

A hit and run is when a driver causes damage to another person’s property. This may include other road users, pedestrians, or the property of people who are not at the scene of the crime. Some examples include hitting another vehicle in the parking lot, bumping into another car at traffic lights, or knocking a cyclist over by accident. It is increased to a felony if a person or animal is injured or killed.

To be convicted of a hit and run offense, the defendant must have;

  • Left the accident scene,
  • Failed to make their details known to the appropriate parties,
  • Causes damage (or injury in felony cases).

The charges will be made regardless of who was at fault or how much damage was caused. Hit and run offenses may also be linked to a range of other charges, such as; DUIs, vehicular manslaughter, speeding offenses, or animal abuse. 

Penalties for hit and run offenses in California 

If convicted of a hit and run offense in the State of California, the punishments are largely determined by whether it was a misdemeanor (no injury caused) or felony. The details are:

  • If no injury is caused, the hit and run is a misdemeanor regardless of whether there is a DUI involved. You can be fined up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail.
  • When there is no permanent injury, the hit and run can lead to a $1,000 fine and up to 12 months in jail. It can also be enhanced with a DUI.
  • When a permanent injury or death is involved, the defendant may face up to 4 years in jail as well as a $10,000 fine. 

It is also common to see convicted drivers incur penalty points on their driving licenses. In addition to the penalties linked directly to the hit and run offense, defendants can face penalties linked to their associated crimes. 

Getting bail for hit and run crimes

The statute of limitations in the State of California allows prosecutors to press charges for up to six years after the incident. After being arrested and completing the booking process for a hit and run, defendants are entitled to a trial within 30-45 days of their arraignment for a misdemeanor and 60 days for a felony. Before that, though, posting bail is the only way to get out of jail.

There are many incentives for posting bail. After all, spending 30-60 days behind bars could have a damning impact on a person’s career, finances, relationships, and health. Besides, nobody deserves to spend more time than necessary behind bars.

While judges have some control on the bail amounts, most hit and run cases set a bail fee of $10,000. There are several options at your disposal, such as posting the cash fee or using collateral (although it must be worth twice the bail amount). However, using a bail bond for hit and run charges is often the best solution, especially if the cash funds aren’t readily available or you’re co-signing to post bail on behalf of a loved one.

Bail bonds for hit and run offenses

Posting bail via a bail bonds company makes the process far more affordable. Rather than posting the full amount, you will simply be required to pay a 10% premium to the bonds agent. In turn, they will guarantee to the courts that the defendant will attend all hearings in return for their release.

In addition to removing the need to find $10,000, it is the quickest and most convenient to gain bail for your loved one, especially if the arrest happened out of normal business hours. Future Bail Bonds is the perfect choice because we;

  • Offer our bail bonds for hit and run services to individuals across all of California.
  • Stay open 24/7, meaning we can help your loved one gain bail ASAP.
  • Can offer quick approvals and use our local connections to gain quick releases.
  • Provide a range of payment plans, including 0% financing.
  • Have agents who can support you in either English or Spanish.

Once your loved one is out of jail, they can get back to normality while also preparing for their court date.

What next?

Following an arrest for hit and run charges, it is the prosecution team’s responsibility to prove your guilt beyond reasonable doubt to the California Courts. This means that they must verify that the defendant was;

  • Involved in an accident while in control of the vehicle.
  • Caused damage to someone’s property or an injury to a person/animal.
  • Knew that they were involved in an accident.
  • Willingly failed to complete one of their duties after the accident. 

The duties are to either ‘stop immediately at the scene of the accident’ or ‘provide your name and address to the person whose property has been damaged. Working with an attorney who specializes in this type of arrest is vital.

When building a defense, a number of points can be raised. The most common include; no damage was caused, the damage was limited to the defendant’s vehicle, or the defendant did not realize that an accident had occurred.

The first step, however, is to post bail. To get your loved one out of jail in California, contact Future Bail Bond to secure a free quote now.