Hit-and-Run Charges in Orange County: Misdemeanor Versus Felony

A hit and run becomes a misdemeanor when only property is damaged, and a felony when another person is injured or killed. That single difference, damage versus injury, decides how serious the charge is and how much you stand to lose. 

The Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo defends drivers across Orange County who left the scene of a crash, whether the contact damaged a parked car or hurt another person. Attorney William W. Bruzzo, a former U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate who has defended hit and run cases in Orange County’s Harbor, North, West, and Central Justice Centers for more than 30 years, has seen how a moment of panic at the scene can turn into a felony charge.

What Counts as a Hit and Run in California

A hit and run is the act of leaving an accident scene without stopping to identify yourself and share your information. The law expects every driver involved in a crash to stop, give a name and contact details, and help anyone who is hurt.

Even minor contact can trigger a charge. Clipping a mirror in a parking lot and driving off can meet the definition, because the duty to stop applies no matter how small the damage seems.

Misdemeanor Versus Felony and What Makes the Difference

When a crash damages only property, the offense falls under Vehicle Code section 20002 and is charged as a misdemeanor, which can carry up to six months in county jail and a fine. 

When someone is injured or killed, the offense falls under Vehicle Code section 20001. That second statute is a wobbler, a charge prosecutors can file as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts. A felony version can carry far longer custody time and steeper fines. Because the exact exposure turns on the details of your case, our Orange County criminal defense attorney can review what you actually face rather than the worst headline number.

What to Do if You Are Charged in Orange County

Stay calm and avoid talking to investigators about what happened before you have counsel. Anything you say about leaving the scene can shape how the charge is filed.

Preserve what you remember and gather any record of the crash while it is fresh. Our firm handles these matters alongside the other criminal defense cases we take across the county, and an early call to our Orange County criminal defense lawyer often shapes whether a case stays a misdemeanor.

One Mistake Should Not Define You, Call The Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo

At the Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo, we know good people make split-second decisions under stress, and we work to keep one bad moment from following you for years. Our firm weighs the whole picture before the prosecution writes the story for you.

Call our firm at (714) 547-4636 or contact us online for a free consultation. El Abogado Habla Español.