In Virginia, a hit-and-run crime, also known as “failure to stop” or “leaving the scene of an accident,” involves a driver leaving the site of an accident without fulfilling their legal obligations. There are specific elements that must be present for an incident to constitute a hit-and-run offense. First, the driver must be involved in an accident, which can include collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or property. Second, they must fail to stop at the accident scene and leave the scene before complying with their legal obligation to provide their name, address, and vehicle information to the other parties involved in the accident. The penalties for a hit and run in Virginia can vary and depend in part on the extent of the damages and injuries the collision caused. It’s important to note that these penalties can be more severe if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.

Under Virginia law, it is a crime to operate a vehicle if your license has been suspended or revoked by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles or by a court order. The penalties for driving with a suspended or revoked license depend on the reason for the suspension and prior convictions. A first offense typically results in a Class 1 misdemeanor charge, with potential penalties that include a fine, further license suspension, and up to 12 months in jail. The punishment imposed usually increases with each subsequent offense. To convict a person of driving with a revoked or suspended license, the prosecution must establish that the license was, in fact, revoked or suspended and that the defendant knew of the status of their license but operated a vehicle on a highway regardless. If the prosecution is unable to offer evidence establishing each element of the offense, the defendant should not be found guilty.