Charged with hit and run DUI in Los Angeles County? You could face one of California’s most aggressively prosecuted combinations of charges—potentially leading to felony prosecution, state prison, heavy restitution, license revocation, and a permanent criminal record. Whether you were involved in a collision on the 405 freeway, struck a parked car in Hollywood, were in an accident in the San Fernando Valley and panicked, or drove away from a crash scene in Long Beach or Compton not knowing what to do, a hit and run combined with DUI is a crisis that demands immediate and aggressive legal defense.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we defend individuals throughout all of Los Angeles County against hit and run DUI charges—both felony and misdemeanor. We are bilingual—hablamos español—and we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When your freedom, your license, and your future are on the line, we fight for you from the very first moment.
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A hit and run DUI occurs when a driver involved in a traffic accident leaves the scene without fulfilling their legal obligations—and is also under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. California law imposes strict duties on all drivers involved in accidents, and violating those duties while also driving impaired compounds your criminal exposure significantly.
Under California Vehicle Code § 20001[1], the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that causes injury or death to another person is legally required to immediately stop the vehicle at the scene or as close as reasonably possible, provide their name, current address, and vehicle registration information to the injured party and any other involved drivers, and render reasonable assistance to any injured person—including calling emergency services if needed. Failure to do any of these things constitutes felony hit and run when the accident involves injury or death.
Under California Vehicle Code § 20002[2], a driver involved in an accident that causes only property damage—damage to another vehicle, a fence, a parked car, a building—must stop and leave their contact information. Failure to do so constitutes misdemeanor hit and run.
When prosecutors also charge DUI under Vehicle Code § 23152[3] or Vehicle Code § 23153[4] (DUI with injury), you are facing simultaneous criminal charges that together carry stacked penalties—each with its own potential jail or prison sentence, probation period, fines, and license consequences. The combination is treated with extreme seriousness by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office[5] and by prosecutors throughout Los Angeles County Superior Court[6].
Accused of hit and run DUI in Los Angeles County? You’re not just fighting a DUI—you’re fighting a narrative that prosecutors will use to paint you as a dangerous driver who fled the scene to avoid accountability, making every part of the case more difficult without skilled legal representation. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we dismantle that narrative piece by piece, challenging the evidence, the circumstances, and the prosecution’s theory of the case.
California Vehicle Code §§ 20001[1] and 20002[2] each require the prosecution to prove specific elements. For a felony hit and run under VC § 20001, the prosecution must prove that you were the driver, that an accident occurred, that the accident caused injury or death, that you knew or reasonably should have known that injury occurred, and that you willfully failed to stop and fulfill your legal obligations. Each of these elements presents a defense opportunity. We investigate whether you actually knew an injury occurred, whether you actually drove the vehicle, and whether any purported eyewitness identification is reliable.
For the DUI portion of the charges, we challenge the lawfulness of any subsequent traffic stop or arrest, the accuracy of chemical testing, the reliability of field sobriety tests, and any other constitutional violations in the investigation. Hit and run DUI cases often involve delayed arrests—meaning hours or even days may pass between the accident and your arrest. In these situations, retrograde extrapolation is used by the prosecution to estimate your BAC at the time of driving, not at the time of the blood or breath test. We challenge these extrapolation calculations through independent toxicology experts and cross-examination.
In Los Angeles County, these cases are prosecuted through the Los Angeles County Superior Court[6] at locations throughout the county depending on where the incident occurred. Our attorneys know the prosecutors, courthouses, and procedures at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Downtown LA, the Airport Courthouse, the Van Nuys Courthouse, the Compton Courthouse, the Norwalk Courthouse, the Torrance Courthouse, the Pomona Courthouse, the Pasadena Courthouse, and all other Los Angeles County Superior Court locations.
Facing a hit and run DUI charge in Los Angeles County means confronting a combination of penalties that can be life-altering. Understanding exactly what you are up against is the first step toward building an effective defense.
Accused of leaving the scene of an accident in Los Angeles County? You need to understand exactly how law enforcement builds its case against you—so you understand exactly how we defend you.
Hit and run DUI investigations in Los Angeles County are handled by some of the most well-resourced law enforcement agencies in the country. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)[11], the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)[12], the California Highway Patrol (CHP)[13], and dozens of municipal police departments each have dedicated traffic collision investigation units. These agencies use multiple investigative tools:
Hit and run DUI cases that involve a fatality carry the most extreme possible criminal consequences in California. If the person injured in a hit and run DUI accident later dies, prosecutors can pursue charges including:
The Watson murder doctrine holds that a driver who causes death while driving under the influence can be charged with second-degree murder if they had a prior DUI conviction and were admonished at the time of that prior conviction that driving under the influence is dangerous and could be treated as murder if it causes death. In Los Angeles County, prosecutors are experienced and aggressive in pursuing Watson murder charges when the facts support them.
Under P[14]enal Code § 191.5(a)[14], gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated carries 4, 6, or 10 years in state prison. A second-degree murder conviction under Penal Code § 187[15] carries 15 years to life in state prison. These are charges that demand the most experienced and aggressive criminal defense representation available in Los Angeles County.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we handle the full spectrum of hit and run DUI cases—from misdemeanor property damage cases to felony injury and death cases. No matter how severe the charges, we are prepared to fight for you.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we build individualized, fact-specific defense strategies for every client charged with hit and run DUI in Los Angeles County. There is no one-size-fits-all defense—the facts of your specific case determine the approach. Here are the most powerful defenses we deploy:
Los Angeles County has one of the highest rates of hit and run incidents in the United States, making it a major enforcement priority for local, county, and state law enforcement. Understanding the scale of the problem—and why enforcement is so intense—helps illustrate why legal representation is essential.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)[17], hit and run crashes are a persistent and serious problem throughout California, with Los Angeles County accounting for a substantial share of reported incidents statewide. The OTS funds enforcement programs, data collection, and public awareness campaigns specifically targeting hit and run behavior in Los Angeles County.
The California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)[18] tracks collision data statewide and consistently shows Los Angeles County at or near the top in total collision counts, including fatal and injury hit and run crashes. The California Highway Patrol[13] conducts dedicated hit and run enforcement operations throughout Los Angeles County, including on the 405, 101, 110, 10, 5, 60, 710, and 105 freeways that cross the county.
The LAPD’s Hit and Run Unit[11] is one of the most active and well-resourced specialized traffic units in the country. The unit investigates thousands of hit and run cases each year, using advanced forensic techniques, surveillance technology, and public tip programs to identify and arrest hit and run drivers. The Lo[12]s[12] Angeles County Sheriff’s Department[12] operates similarly specialized units in unincorporated areas of the county.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)[19], hit and run fatalities nationally have been increasing in recent years, prompting intensified enforcement responses from agencies at every level. In California, the California Department of Motor Vehicles[9] notes that a hit and run conviction carries significant licensing consequences that reflect the seriousness with which the state treats this offense.
A hit and run DUI arrest in Los Angeles County triggers two separate proceedings: the criminal court case and the California DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing[9]. Both must be addressed, and both have strict deadlines.
After a DUI arrest, you have only 10 days from the date of arrest to contact the California DMV Driver Safety Office[9] to request an APS hearing. Failure to request this hearing within 10 days results in automatic license suspension at the end of your 30-day temporary license period—without any opportunity to contest it.
In addition to the DUI-related APS hearing, a hit and run conviction triggers a separate DMV action. Under California DMV policy, a conviction for felony hit and run under VC § 20001[1] results in a 3-year driver’s license revocation. A misdemeanor hit and run conviction under VC § 20002[2] results in a 6-month suspension with possible restriction thereafter.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we handle both the DMV process and the criminal court process simultaneously. We request the APS hearing immediately upon retention, represent you in the hearing, and fight to preserve your driving privileges while simultaneously building your criminal defense. The APS hearing also produces sworn testimony and records that provide valuable discovery for the criminal case.
If you are not a United States citizen, a hit and run DUI conviction in Los Angeles County can have catastrophic immigration consequences on top of the criminal penalties. Los Angeles County is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the United States, and our firm specifically serves the Spanish-speaking immigrant community throughout the county.
A felony conviction—particularly one involving moral turpitude or violence—can trigger removal (deportation) proceedings, bars to naturalization, and ineligibility for immigration benefits under federal law as administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)[20]. A felony hit and run with injury or death is a serious crime that immigration authorities scrutinize carefully.
Even a misdemeanor hit and run DUI can affect visa renewals, green card applications, and naturalization petitions. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)[21] prioritizes individuals with criminal convictions for immigration enforcement, and Los Angeles County is an active area for immigration enforcement actions.
We are bilingual—hablamos español—and we understand the unique pressures and stakes facing non-citizen clients. We work to minimize or eliminate criminal convictions that could jeopardize our clients’ immigration status, and we coordinate with immigration counsel when needed.
Los Angeles County has invested significantly in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and it also has some of the highest pedestrian and cyclist injury and fatality rates in California. When a hit and run DUI involves a pedestrian or cyclist—rather than a collision between two motor vehicles—the consequences are often more severe due to the vulnerability of the victim and the likelihood of serious injury.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety[17], pedestrian fatalities account for a significant share of total traffic deaths in Los Angeles County each year. High-pedestrian-traffic areas including downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Koreatown, East Los Angeles, Skid Row, and other densely populated neighborhoods see a disproportionate number of pedestrian-vehicle collisions.
When a DUI driver strikes a pedestrian or cyclist and leaves the scene, prosecutors pursue the most serious charges available. The combination of DUI with injury under VC § 23153[4] and felony hit and run in a pedestrian case is treated with maximum aggression by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office[22] and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office[5]. Media coverage of these cases is common, creating public pressure on prosecutors to seek harsh penalties.
We have experience defending clients charged with hit and run DUI involving pedestrians and cyclists in Los Angeles County. We approach these cases with the same rigorous defense strategy we apply to all hit and run DUI cases—challenging the identification of the driver, the chemical test results, and every element the prosecution must prove.
Tu Defensor Criminalista provides hit and run DUI defense representation throughout every city and community in Los Angeles County, including:
Los Angeles (Downtown LA, Hollywood, East LA, South LA, San Fernando Valley, Westside, Harbor Area), Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Santa Monica, Torrance, El Monte, Pomona, West Covina, Carson, Norwalk, Inglewood, Compton, Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, Hawthorne, Downey, Alhambra, Whittier, Bellflower, Baldwin Park, Lakewood, Redondo Beach, Arcadia, Covina, Monterey Park, South Gate, Gardena, Rosemead, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Lynwood, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Azusa, Glendora, La Puente, San Dimas, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Westlake Village, Lomita, Rolling Hills Estates, Signal Hill, Artesia, Cerritos, Norwalk, Paramount, South El Monte, and all unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
No matter where in Los Angeles County your incident occurred, we can help. Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista today.
Suspected of a hit and run DUI in Los Angeles County, but not yet arrested? This is a critical moment. What you do—and especially what you say—before speaking with an attorney can make or break your case.
If police come to your home, contact you by phone, or leave a card asking you to call them about a traffic incident, do not speak to them without an attorney present. You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Police are permitted to use deception in investigations, and anything you say—even an innocent explanation—can be used against you in ways you do not anticipate.
Do not go to the police station voluntarily without legal counsel. Do not post about the incident on social media. Do not discuss what happened with anyone other than your attorney.
Call Tu Defensor Criminalista immediately. We can contact law enforcement on your behalf, protect your rights during any investigative process, and in appropriate cases arrange for voluntary surrender on terms that minimize your immediate jeopardy. Early intervention by an experienced hit and run DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles County can make a significant difference in how your case is ultimately charged and resolved.
Hit and run DUI is one of the most serious and complex charge combinations in California criminal law. You need an attorney with specific experience in both DUI defense and serious traffic offense defense—one who knows Los Angeles County courts inside and out.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we offer:
Bilingual Representation: Full legal services in English and Spanish. We serve the Spanish-speaking communities of East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and all of Los Angeles County with complete, comfortable legal communication.
24/7 Emergency Availability: Hit and run DUI arrests happen at all hours. We are available around the clock for emergency consultations and can act immediately to protect your rights and request your DMV hearing.
Immediate DMV Hearing Request: The 10-day deadline is non-negotiable. We file the APS hearing request[9] the moment you retain us.
Full Investigation: We obtain police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, accident reconstruction reports, chemical test records, and all other evidence in your case. We identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence before they can exploit them in court.
Experienced Negotiators and Trial Attorneys: We negotiate with Los Angeles County prosecutors[5] for reduced charges when appropriate, and we go to trial when the evidence demands it. We are not afraid of a courtroom, and prosecutors know it.
We know the courthouses, the prosecutors, and the judges throughout Los Angeles County Superior Court[6]. That knowledge gives our clients a real, tangible advantage.
Contact us today at tudefensorcriminalista.com for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7. We speak English and Spanish. Your future is worth defending—call now.
The key difference is whether the accident caused injury or death, or only property damage. If someone was injured or killed, the hit and run is a felony under Vehicle Code § 20001[1], carrying state prison exposure. If only property was damaged—another car, a fence, a parked vehicle—the hit and run is a misdemeanor under Vehicle Code § 20002[2], carrying up to 6 months in county jail. When DUI is added to either charge, your total criminal exposure increases substantially.
For a felony hit and run conviction, the prosecution must prove that you knew, or reasonably should have known, that the accident resulted in injury to another person. If you genuinely did not know you struck anyone—for example, in a minor collision at low speed in a large vehicle—this lack of knowledge is a viable defense. The prosecution has the burden of proving this element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Naming another driver without evidence can backfire badly. False claims can expose you to additional criminal liability. If someone else actually was driving your vehicle, we work to establish that through evidence—witness statements, cell records, and other documentation. Do not make any statement to police without first speaking with a hit and run DUI defense attorney.
A hit and run conviction adds 2 points to your California DMV[9] driving record under the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS). Points stay on your record for 3 years from the violation date, though the conviction itself may remain on your criminal record permanently unless expunged.
Misdemeanor hit and run convictions may be eligible for expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4[23] after successful completion of probation. Felony convictions require reduction to a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 17(b)[24] before expungement may be sought. Not all convictions qualify, and the process is complex. We evaluate expungement eligibility for every client after their case is resolved.
Comparative fault in the underlying accident does not eliminate your legal duty to stop and exchange information. Even if the other driver ran a red light and caused the collision, you are still required to stop, provide your information, and render aid. However, the circumstances of the accident—including the other party’s fault—may be relevant to negotiating a resolution with prosecutors and to determining restitution obligations under Penal Code § 1202.4[10].
Absolutely. Even a misdemeanor hit and run DUI creates a criminal record, triggers DMV[9] consequences, can affect your immigration status, and can be used against you in any future criminal proceedings. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office[22] prosecutes misdemeanor hit and run cases aggressively. You need representation from an attorney who understands both the criminal case and the DMV process.
Immediately. If you have been arrested, the 10-day DMV deadline begins running from the day of your arrest. If you have been contacted by police but not yet arrested, immediate attorney involvement can shape the investigation and potentially the charges filed. The sooner you retain counsel, the more options we have available to protect your rights and your future.
Yes, in certain circumstances. A felony conviction for hit and run involving injury, death, or conduct classified as a crime of moral turpitude can have serious immigration consequences including removal proceedings, denial of naturalization, and bars to re-entry. Even misdemeanor convictions can affect immigration status depending on the specific facts and your immigration history. We urge non-citizen clients to speak with us immediately about both the criminal and immigration dimensions of their case. USCIS[20] and ICE[21] both consider criminal records when making immigration determinations.
Prosecutors typically rely on surveillance camera footage, eyewitness testimony, license plate recognition data, physical evidence from the scene (paint transfer, vehicle parts), damage analysis on the suspect vehicle, chemical test results, and in delayed arrest cases, retrograde extrapolation of BAC at the time of driving. We challenge every category of this evidence and investigate the full record of the investigation for constitutional violations and scientific unreliability.
Remember:
California Vehicle Code
California Penal Code
Federal
Attorney Armando Josué Cespedes is rated 5.0 on Avvo, with 34 five-star reviews from clients praising his dedication, professionalism, and results. Many note how his trial skills and attention to detail led to reduced charges or outright dismissals.
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