Evading Responsibility Charges dropped.

Our client from Eastern Connecticut was charged with evading responsibility in violation of General Statute § 14-224(b)(3). We got the charges dropped. The case was prosecuted in Putnam, Connecticut. Evading responsibility under § 14-224(b)(3) is a class A misdemeanor. Evading responsibility is over referred to as “leaving the scene of an accident”, or “hit and run.” Charges under General Statute § 14-224 can range from a B felony or A misdemeanor depending upon the facts. A misdemeanor charges carry a maximum sentence of 1 year in jail, and a 1 year license suspension.

The facts that led to the charge of evading responsibility charges dropped.

On the date in question, police responded to a 911 call of an erratic driver in Northeast Connecticut. The erratic driver hit another vehicle on the road, knocked over a lamp post, and damaged a guard rail.

After making contact with the witness, the police searched for the evading vehicle. The police located the vehicle several miles down the road. It was unoccupied, and the hazard lights were activated. There was significant damage to the vehicle.

The police contacted our client, the vehicle’s registered owner. They asked our client who was driving the vehicle. At the time of the offense, our client was out of state on vacation. Upon his return to Connecticut, the police issued a summons to appear in court for evading responsibility. Our client immediately called me, and we vigorously defended the case.

After reviewing the state’s file, and submitting evidence that our client was out of state at the time of the incident, the state continued to press for a conviction.

Our defense strategy.

The state’s attorney argued that our client could still be convicted as the registered owner of the vehicle. This was wrong in our view. The evading statute requires (1) operation of a motor vehicle, and (2) the intent requirement that you were knowingly involved in a motor vehicle accident.