Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Jacksonville Leaving the Scene of an Accident is a crime in Florida that can range from a felony offense to a misdemeanor depending on the injury or damage caused by the accident. Florida Statute Section 316.027 govern crashes involving involving injury to a person or death. Florida Statute Section 316.061 addresses accidents that result in only damages to a vehicle or other property. Regardless of the injury or damage caused by the accident, Jacksonville drivers have a duty to stop and remain at the scene until they fulfill the requirements of Florida Statute Section 316.062. This Florida law requires that they give information and render aid. If this law is violated, the driver can be charged with a crime in Jacksonville, Florida.

Additionally, Florida Statute Section 316.065 states that you have to report the crash if it results in injury or death or damage of $500. Thus, not only do Jacksonville drivers need to give all pertinent information and render aid, but they also must report certain crashes to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. If this Florida Statutes is violated, the result is a nonmoving, noncriminal traffic infraction.

If you are charged with a Jacksonville Driving Offense, contact a Jacksonville Traffic Lawyer.

According to Florida Statute Section 901.15, a Jacksonville police officer can arrest a person without a warrant for a violation of the Florida Traffic Code if he:

(a) witnesses the Florida traffic violation himself or
(b) another law enforcement officer witnesses the Florida traffic violation and relays the proper identification information.

In some cases, a Jacksonville police officer does not need to witness the Florida traffic violation at all.Under Florida Statute Section 316.645, a Jacksonville police officer has the authority to arrest the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash even if he did not witness the traffic violation.The Jacksonville police officer must investigate the accident scene and reasonably believe that the driver committed a traffic violation in Jacksonville, Florida.

For example, in order to be arrested for reckless driving in Jacksonville, Florida, a law enforcement officer must observe the vehicle driving recklessly.However, if the vehicle crashes into a tree, the Jacksonville police officer may speak with witnesses and investigate the scene.If the officer reasonably believes that the driver was driving recklessly, he may arrest the driver for reckless driving in Jacksonville Florida.

To learn more about reckless driving in Jacksonville, Florida, contact a Jacksonville Reckless Driving Attorney.