In Connecticut, the charge of hit-and-run is termed “evading responsibility.” The charge is a serious one and may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the property damage and any personal injuries caused by the accident. With penalties for a felony conviction including jail time or a five-figure fine, mounting the strongest possible legal defense is a necessity.

Defining Evading Responsibility in Connecticut

Connecticut state law defines evading responsibility as the leaving of the scene of a car accident that has caused a personal injury or property damage without providing proper identification to the injured person(s), property owner(s), or without calling law enforcement.

In Connecticut, law enforcement officers issue tickets to drivers who have committed either an infraction or a violation. While infractions are not considered crimes and only require that drivers pay a fine, violations are more serious and may involve a court appearance. Traffic tickets appear on a person’s driving history and in some cases may also add points to a driver’s license, which in turn can cause his or her insurance premiums to increase. Retaining an experienced Fairfield traffic ticket attorney can help drivers avoid these consequences, so if you were pulled over and ticketed for violating a traffic law, do not hesitate to contact a member of our legal team today.

Infractions vs. Violations

Most traffic tickets are issued for infractions, which include citations for non-dangerous moving violations, such as a broken taillight. These offenses are relatively minor, do not result in the assessment of points on a person’s license, and usually only require the payment of a fine via the mail, although drivers can attempt to have their infraction dismissed by attending a hearing or submitting a letter of explanation to the court. Failing to pay a fine on time or to respond or appear in court, however, can result in more severe consequences. In these cases, the court will find that the driver committed the infraction and require him or her to pay the fine and an additional default penalty. If a driver fails to pay these penalties, his or her driving privileges could be suspended.

A lot goes into attaining and maintaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Of course, there are the rigorous education and examinations in addition to medical and background qualifications just to earn the licensure, but your work is incomplete. It is imperative that you follow through with multiple requirements to remain in good standing to maintain your licensure as well as avoid traffic violations. In addition to an impeccable driving record, you must also retain proper records to avoid losing the license.

What Records are Necessary for Employers?

Requirements for CDL regulations are controlled federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Each state can vary through the application process but must maintain the standards and regulations set forth at the federal level. Each document has a required retention period of three years or more. By law, CDL employers must retain the following records for each employee and have them available upon request within 48 hours:

Connecticut laws have seen a shift in the severity in which crimes are punished. While certain drug crimes recently became less troublesome other issues are being treated more harshly, including several traffic laws. One regulation experiencing a severity elevation is evading responsibility, also known as hit and run. Drivers mistakenly choose to leave the scene of an accident hoping to avoid the repercussions. More legal trouble awaits a driver opting to flee without leaving contact information.

How Did They Find Me?

An evading responsibility charge often begins with an emergency 9-1-1 phone call made by the victim or a witness of the accident. Once police arrive at the scene they begin gathering all information available. Cops ask all passengers of the remaining car as well as any witnesses for descriptions of the driver, car, or license plate. From there they utilize all avenues available, including:

No matter how minor a traffic violation may be, repercussions will follow upon determination of a guilty verdict. In addition to surcharges assessed through a fine or penalty, points are added to your driving record. These points not only will likely increase your auto insurance rates, but may have an adverse impact on future legal issues as well as prevent employment opportunities. If you handle the situation appropriately, it is possible to prevent a long-lasting impact due to a minor traffic violation.

Infraction vs. Violation

A traffic incident receives a classification of either infraction or violation. To adequately defend yourself, you must understand to what the terms refer. The difference is: