In California, Leaving The Scene Of The Accident Is A Serious Criminal Offense

You're in an accident. Scared and confused, you take off. In California, leaving the scene of the accident is a serious criminal offense that can potentially come with harsh penalties. Once involved in an accident, all drivers involved are required to stop and exchange license and insurance information, regardless of fault. Not doing so could result in a misdemeanor or felony hit-and-run charge.

Hit-and-runs can also occur in single car accidents when a driver leaves the scene after destroying property, such as a telephone pole or parked car.

Make no mistake that a hit-and-run charge is a very serious matter. The state of California will prosecute to the fullest extent, however having competent litigation on your side can result in having charges dismissed or reduced.

If you or someone you know left the scene of an accident without exchanging license and insurance information contact San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney William Chestnut at 408-298-6990.

The Controversy Over California's Prison Overcrowding

California's prison overcrowding problem has led Governor Jerry Brown to apply sweeping measures to sentencing reform. Due to overcrowding in the state's prison population, drastic measures have been taken to alleviate the problem. Many critics say it is only a temporary fix to a long going problem. California is doing things differently than the rest of the nation.

Nationally, the debate is becoming less a debate and more an understanding from both sides of the aisle that the status quo is not working. The change that needs to be implemented is not in prison reform, rather in sentencing reform.

Attorney General Eric Holder acknowledged that the forty year war on drugs is what has led to the overpopulation to begin with. A huge admission for someone who holds a national office under the President of the United States. He believes that prison should be reserved for violent drug offenders, dealers, and traffickers.

In California, where nearly 10 percent of state prisoners are nonviolent drug offenders, advocates hope to see the state adopt a similar stance. It is said that Governor Brown and the state's Democratic lawmakers have shied away from embracing any policy that would give opponents an opportunity to portray California as soft on crime. While people play political games and jockey for reelection, families are being destroyed over a failed policy that has proven to do more harm than good.

If you have been charged with a crime, Contact San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney William Chestnut at 408-298-6990.