Hit-and-Run Charges Are a Valid Reason for Concern
Have you been accused of a hit-and-run crime? If so, working with an experienced attorney is critical to protecting your future. These accidents often result in considerable damage and serious injury. If found responsible, even if damage was minor, you face consequences.
Cody Villalon is a seasoned Richmond hit-and-run defense lawyer.
If you have been charged with a hit-and-run in Richmond or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to protect yourself; contact Cody Villalon, a Richmond hit-and-run defense lawyer today at 804.316.0765. You need to act decisively and make smart choices.
Why You Should Work with Cody Villalon, Hit-and-Run Defense Lawyer
Personal Representation Is Invaluable
Being charged with a hit-and-run crime is serious; the penalties can be harsh, impacting multiple aspects of your life. In times like this, leveraging the skills and experience of a reputable criminal defense attorney is wise. You simply don’t have the necessary knowledge to appropriately handle the legal process on your own.
That said, when it comes to your defense, you have choices. You want to research your options and engage the right Richmond hit-and-run defense attorney for your specific needs.
Cody Villalon is the attorney of choice for many in this situation. He is well positioned to provide you the technical support you need throughout the legal process. Consider why working with him is a good decision.
- Commitment to personal service
- Focus on the specifics of your situation
- Over a decade as a criminal defense attorney
- Hands-on experience managing hit-and-run cases
- In-depth knowledge of the local court system, prosecutors, and judges
- Compassionate communicator always available to answer your questions and address your concerns
- No-cost consultations for all prospective clients
- Successful track record
- Outstanding reputation for client service
- Skilled negotiator and aggressive litigator.
Cody Villalon has built his firm on the belief that every client deserves a quality defense provided by an experienced and compassionate attorney. Personally serving each individual he represents is important to him — it is one of the pillars on which his firm was established.
Understanding the Service We Provide
Cody Villalon Focuses on Your Defense and Your Future
Building a defense for a hit-and-run charge is challenging; the process is multi-faceted and requires a great deal of legal knowledge and experience. Embarking on this process without the assistance of a Richmond hit-and-run defense attorney is unwise. You have a lot at stake. If convicted, the ramifications are serious and can impact you and your family.
Engaging Cody Villalon to handle your defense should provide you peace of mind that the process will be skillfully managed by a professional who has your best interests at heart. Consider all that Cody and his firm will do for you.
- Review all Aspects of Your Arrest: Virginia and federal law mandate that certain rights are provided to anyone arrested and charged with a crime. Violation of them can result in the suppression of evidence which your Richmond hit-and-run defense lawyer can leverage in your defense.
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation: In all situations, knowledge is power. Cody Villalon is relentless in his pursuit of evidence, reviewing what has already been identified and working tirelessly to uncover anything that may have been missed in the initial investigation. We pay close attention to all details that may impact your case — nothing is insignificant until we review it.
- Manage the Case Administration: Hit-and-run charges are incredibly complex, and the legal process to defend them requires a great deal of paperwork. We assume complete responsibility for completing all forms correctly and in a timely fashion. We know what to expect, and thus are able to handle the process effectively.
- Assume Responsibility for All Communications: As your hit-and-run defense lawyer, it is our job to communicate on your behalf. We advise our clients to direct all questions from other individuals and attorneys to us. We know how to respond while protecting your privacy and your future.
- Keep You Apprised of the Case’s Progress: Transparency is important in hit-and-run cases. As such, we will communicate clearly and regularly regarding our progress, any developments, and our plans for your defense.
- Negotiate on Your Behalf: Cody will leverage his negotiating skills, always looking to minimize repercussions for you. Of course, we would like to find reason to have charges dropped and, if not, settle your case out of court. All of our work is done with your best interests at heart.
- Represent You in Court: In some hit-and-run cases we are simply unable to negotiate a settlement that is best for you. In situations like this, we don’t hesitate to go to trial, where we will represent you. During this process, you may be called to testify. If this is the case, we will make sure you are thoroughly prepared and comfortable with the process.
We hope that being confident that you have engaged the right firm and can rely on us to handle all aspects of the legal process effectively and efficiently can provide you with a sense of peace. We are ready to go to work for you immediately.
Hit-and-Run Case Frequently Asked Questions
Our Responses to Your Most Pressing Concerns
Those accused of hit-and-run, in general, have a lot of questions. The legal process is unknown; it’s not surprising that they have many concerns. Cody Villalon has shared some of the most common questions asked, along with his responses, below.
What are the penalties for being convicted of hit-and-run in Virginia?
There are a range of penalties that can be assessed if you are found guilty, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the collision. The most serious is if you hit an occupied car, injure or kill the person inside, and cause property damage in excess of $1,000 dollars. This is designated as a Class 5 felony with a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in jail and a $2,500 fine. Your Richmond hit-and-run lawyer can further explain this to you.
If I hit the railing on a highway and drove away, did I commit a crime?
Yes, you may have. Virginia law requires that drivers who hit unattended property (like traffic signs or guardrails) notify the police. Your hit-and-run attorney in Richmond can help you handle this.
If nobody is injured in my hit-and-run accident, can I still be punished?
Yes, you can. If you hit a car with no occupants, or the occupants are uninjured, you could still be charged with a misdemeanor, the severity of which depends on the value of the property damage. Reach out to your Richmond criminal attorney to better understand the charges you will be facing.
I was a passenger in a car. The driver hit a car and drove away. Can I face legal action?
Yes, you can. Assuming no injury or death in the car you hit, you could face misdemeanor charges resulting in a fine. Should someone be hurt or killed, you may face charges of a Class 6 felony. If found guilty you could face fines and jail time. If you were a passenger in a car involved in a hit-and-run, contact a hit-and-run attorney in Richmond as soon as possible.
While these questions and answers are general in nature, you likely have more specific concerns. Contact Cody Villalon today to schedule a free consultation. This meeting is the ideal time to discuss your case in detail.
What Does Being Charged with Hit-and-Run in Richmond Mean?
Hit-and-Run Accidents Are Categorized
Not all hit-and-run accidents in Richmond are the same. In fact, some are considered more serious than others and, if you are found guilty, have harsher penalties. Below, our Richmond hit-and-run defense lawyer has detailed the crimes and how they differ.
Car Drivers
- Accident with an occupied car causing injury/death: If the accident causes injury, death, or more than $1,000 worth of damage, you can be charged with a Class 5 felony resulting in penalties of up 10 years in jail and a fine of $2,500.
- Accident with an occupied car (no injuries): If the damage is greater than $1,000, you can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor resulting in penalties of up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,500.
- Accident with a vacant car significant damage: If property damage is $250 or more, you can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor resulting in penalties of up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
- Accident with a vacant car minor damage: If property damage is less than $250, you can be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor resulting in penalties of a fine up to $250.
Car Passengers
- Accident with an occupied car causing injury/death: If someone is injured or killed in the accident, you can be charged with a Class 6 Felony resulting in punishment of up to 5 years in jail and a $2,500 fine.
- Accident with an occupied car causing property damage: This Class 1 misdemeanor carries fines of up to 1 year in jail and $2,500.
- Accident with an unoccupied vehicle: If property damage is $250 or more, you may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines of $2,500
- Accident with an unoccupied vehicle: If property damage is $250 or less, you may be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor and fines of up to $250.
Even if your hit-and-run accident seems minor, you should engage the services of a seasoned Richmond hit-and-run defense attorney. Having an experienced professional on your side helps to protect you and your future.
Traffic Accidents Can Have Serious Implications
Cody Villalon Understands Your Responsibilities in Hit-and-Run Cases and Knows How to Defend Your Actions
Driving is a privilege with very specific responsibilities. We all know that accidents happen – but when you hit another vehicle there are laws with which you must abide. In all cases, leaving the scene of the accident and not contacting authorities is a violation.
Instead, he strives to understand the situations in which they occurred in order to build a strong defense. Some of the strategies he may leverage in hit-and-run cases include a lack of knowledge that there was a collision, lack of evidence, failure of law enforcement to abide by proper procedures, outstanding circumstances, and even mistaken identity.
Contact Us Today
If you have been charged with hit-and-run, or believe you will be, engaging qualified legal representation is critical. The state takes these crimes seriously and, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the accident, the consequences can be serious.
Cody Villalon, a hit-and-run defense attorney in Richmond, knows how to defend hit-and-run cases in Richmond and the surrounding area. Because he carefully manages his caseload, you can be sure he will represent you personally. In all traffic cases, time is valuable. So, don’t hesitate, contact us today at 804.316.0765 to schedule a free consultation.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY CODY VILLALON
Cody Villalon is a criminal defense attorney in Richmond, VA representing clients accused of violent offenses and DUIs, and he specializes in serious criminal charges. He possesses more than 10 years of legal experience, has defended more than 1,000 cases, and has spent more than 5,000 hours in court. He is highly professional and well-respected by prosecutors and judges. [ Attorney Bio ]
