How Do I Beat Hit-and-Run Charges in Charlotte County?

Hit-and-run charges in Charlotte County can be incredibly serious, especially if your accident resulted in a death or serious injury. That being said, you might be able to fight these charges with various strategies. To learn more about these potential strategies, you might want to speak with a defense attorney.

A Recent Example of a Hit-and-Run Arrest

In late June of 2025, Naples Daily News reported that a woman had been arrested for allegedly committing a hit-and-run. Authorities say that the incident occurred back in February, and they were only able to apprehend the woman after many months of investigating.

The crash in question occurred at 2:00 AM, and it claimed the life of a 60-year-old man. After responding to the scene, State Troopers found the defendant’s vehicle covered by a tarp nearby. They also noticed that the vehicle’s license plate was gone.

Aside from this information, it is not clear how investigators traced the abandoned vehicle back to the defendant. However, one would assume that some aspect of the vehicle allowed them to make this connection. Naples Daily News also noted that the defendant has a history of other traffic offenses, but of course this has no bearing on the hit-and-run charges.

Potential Strategies to Avoid Hit-and-Run Charges

You might benefit from various defense strategies when attempting to avoid consequences for hit-and-runs. Perhaps the most obvious strategy is to show that you were not aware of the crash in question. Awareness is a key element of this crime in Florida, which means you can’t face consequences if you prove you never noticed the impact.

For example, you might have run over someone on a dark night. You may have noticed a small bump as you passed over the individual’s body, but perhaps you assumed it was a speed bump or an animal. You may be justified in driving away from the scene in this scenario.

You might also be justified in driving away from the crash if there was no safe place to stop. Florida specifically states that you should only stop if it is safe to do so. You may be justified in driving away from the crash scene in this scenario. However, you must still come to a complete stop at some point down the road. If you were arrested before you found a place to stop, you could argue that you were trying to find somewhere to pull over.

Can a Defense Attorney Help With Hit-and-Run Charges?

A Port Charlotte criminal defense lawyer may be able to help if you face hit-and-run charges. While the consequences of this offense can be severe, certain defense strategies have proven successful for other defendants in the past. That being said, the most fitting strategy depends on the specifics of your case. Consider discussing your situation with The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today.

Sources: 

news-press.com/story/news/crime/2025/06/30/estero-man-arrested-after-fatal-i-75-crash/84414116007/

naplesnews.com/story/news/local/fort-myers/2025/06/28/hit-and-run-case-leads-to-lehigh-acres-womans-arrest/84401293007/