Full question:
My daughter received a ticket for leaving the scene of an accident when the night before she accidentally backed into a car in a parking lot, and didn't think there was damage and left. We received a letter from the county stating that we should disregard the ticket time/date and report at a different time for her arraignment. What are the possible penalties for this ticket?
- Category: Criminal
- Subcategory: Speedy Trial
- Date:
- State: Minnesota
Answer:
In Minnesota, the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident depend on the circumstances of the incident:
- If the accident results in the death of any individual, the driver can face felony charges, with a possible sentence of up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
- If the accident causes great bodily harm, the driver may also face felony charges, with a potential sentence of up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
- For substantial bodily harm, the driver may be sentenced to up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $3,000.
- If the accident does not result in substantial bodily harm or death, the driver may still face up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $3,000.
Additionally, if the driver fails to report the accident as required, their license may be suspended (Minn. Stat. § 169.09).
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.