WHAT ARE MINOR HIT-AND-RUN CHARGES?

What are minor hit-and-run charges? Most of those charges are covered under two sections of the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. That would be section 199, sub 1, and 200, sub 1, of that act. Section 199 of that particular act the wording for that particular offence, would be: failing to report an accident.

So if you were involved in an accident and when there’s property damage or damage to your vehicle, you have an obligation to report that. If the damage is significant enough and you did not report the damage, you could be subject to being charged with failing to report an accident. If that accident is so serious, the officers investigate and find out that there was extensive property damage there was harm to other persons, another driver or passengers, or even your own passengers, you would be charged under section 200. The wording for that offense now is failing to remain at the scene of the accident and if you are charged with that, it’s considered a very serious charge and one that includes significant penalty and perhaps even jail time.

Whether there’s jail time on an offense like that is primarily decided by either a judge or a justice of the peace. And it will be based on the aggravating factors of you not remaining at the scene of that accident. We are obligated when there is an accident to make sure if someone’s hurt they get needed assistance.

It’s not enough to simply flee the area and not report or, and not remain. If the matter is considered so serious, for example, if there is an allegation that, you know, you did fail to remain, and there was other components to it, perhaps drugs and alcohol involved, if that allegation is made or investigated and found out to be true, there are charges similar in wording under the Criminal Code of Canada.