A 30-year old woman accused of striking a Doral motorcycle cop and then leaving the scene of an accident has accepted a plea deal that will result in 30 days in jail, followed by 3 years of probation. The plea deal also includes a 5-year driver's license suspension.
The Miami Herald reports that in May of 2010, the accused was driving through Doral without headlights. The alleged victim, the officer, reportedly flashed his brights so that the accused would know to turn on her headlights. The accused allegedly struck the officer with her car and then left the scene. She turned herself in days later after a Crimestoppers tip was published.
Due to the officer's injuries, the accused was charged with leaving the scene of an accident (LSA) causing serious bodily injury. The offense is a third-degree felony, punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison.
Most LSA cases begin with investigations. If you are suspected of committing an LSA, whether a misdemeanor (no serious injury) or felony (serious injury or death), police will likely contact you. One of the most common contact methods is a request to come to the police station to speak with an officer about the incident. The police may also request that you bring the car that was allegedly involved in the accident so that they may inspect the car for damage.
Anytime the police want to talk to you about any criminal allegation, big or small, you have a right to have an attorney present as well as a right not to speak with the police. If you are under investigation for LSA, contact a criminal attorney before making any decisions.
Eric Matheny represents clients in Miami-Dade and Broward. If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime or are under investigation for a crime, call to discuss your case.