Evading an accident?

[andrea711ct]

What is the name of your state?CT

I was in an accident a week ago when it snowed really badly. I was driving and slipped onto the sidewalk and hit a bush on someone's property. This was really early in the morning and I was going to call my insurance company first thing that morning when they opened. The police station called me because my bumper had actually fallen off and I didn't notice. I went in to the station and they said that it was evading an accident because I didn't call them right away or notify the owner's of the house. Since it was around 3am or so, of course I wasn't going to knock on the owner's door. I didn't call the police station because I didn't hit a car or person, etc. It was a bush. Since this is a criminal matter, does anyone think that they are going to give me a hard time in court? I also had went to the owner's house and spoke to the wife and she said not to worry about it because it was only a bush.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[poohmantbb]

Either your car is a piece of crap, or you hit a big "bush", if your bumper fell off. Must have been more to this story that hitting a bush. By law, you are required to leave your information with the owner, not matter how late at night, if you are unable to contact them immediatly.

It sounds as if you tried to get away from the wreck, but unfortunatly, they were able to track you down from your bumber. Sucks for you... next time do as you are supposed to.

"Are they going to give me a hard time in court?" Do you cry easily?

 

[seniorjudge]

BTW, they've heard that story before.




Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR it VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

 

[poppakeith]

What is the name of your state?CT
I was in an accident a week ago when it snowed really badly. I was driving and slipped onto the sidewalk and hit a bush on someone's property. This was really early in the morning and I was going to call my insurance company first thing that morning when they opened. The police station called me because my bumper had actually fallen off and I didn't notice. I went in to the station and they said that it was evading an accident because I didn't call them right away or notify the owner's of the house. Since it was around 3am or so, of course I wasn't going to knock on the owner's door. I didn't call the police station because I didn't hit a car or person, etc. It was a bush. Since this is a criminal matter, does anyone think that they are going to give me a hard time in court? I also had went to the owner's house and spoke to the wife and she said not to worry about it because it was only a bush.
Thanks for any advice.

Without knowing more details about the matter, anyone being judgmental with regard to your actions is exhibiting prejudice. I would not have awakened the neighborhood, either, but it would have been a better idea to leave something in your handwriting to explain the damage, rather than just a bumper. All you can do is respond honestly, responsibly, from this point, and pay what it costs. If the only one affected by your actions is inclined to dismiss any claim of damage, evidence of that would have good effect on a judge with common sense. They get excited about these things, you understand, because pure blind luck saved the paperboy or other passerby.