Hit and Run Lawyer Queens County, NY
You were driving along the Van Wyck Expressway, late for a meeting in Jamaica, when another vehicle veered into your lane. The impact felt minor — a scrape on your bumper — but the other driver sped away before you could get a license plate number. Now you are facing a hit and run charge in Queens County, with the prospect of license suspension, substantial fines, and a criminal record. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents drivers in hit and run matters across New York. Reach our New York location at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Strategy Options After a Hit and Run Charge in Queens County
A hit and run case in Queens County can take several procedural paths depending on the severity of the alleged offense. If the charge is a traffic infraction handled by the New York State Traffic Violations Bureau, no plea bargaining is permitted, and the case proceeds to a hearing before an administrative law judge. In those matters, the firm prepares to challenge the evidence at the hearing, focusing on issues such as the accuracy of the vehicle description, the reliability of any witness identification, and whether the prosecution can establish that you were the driver. If the charge is a misdemeanor or felony — as often occurs when an injury is alleged — the case is heard in Queens County Criminal Court. There, Mr. Sris and Of Counsel to the firm engage with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office to explore a reduction or dismissal when the evidence permits. Every strategy is tailored to the specific facts, and the representation aims to protect your driving record and your liberty.
What to Expect at Queens County Courts
Clients facing hit and run allegations in Queens may encounter two different court systems. Traffic infraction matters proceed through the New York State Traffic Violations Bureau, with hearings typically scheduled at the bureau’s Queens location. These are administrative proceedings; the rules of evidence apply but there is no opportunity for plea negotiation. Misdemeanor and felony hit and run charges are heard at the Queens County Supreme Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, or the NYC Criminal Court in Queens. At a criminal court appearance, the defendant is arraigned and a future hearing or trial date is set. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear in these courts regularly and understand the procedural expectations of Queens County judges and prosecutors.
Penalties for Hit and Run in New York
New York law treats leaving the scene of an accident seriously. Penalties depend on whether the incident involved property damage, personal injury, or death. For a first offense involving property damage only, the court may impose a fine, a mandatory surcharge, and a potential license suspension. If the hit and run involved injury, the charge can be a misdemeanor or felony, carrying the possibility of incarceration, probation, and a mandatory driver’s license revocation. Because hit and run convictions can lead to significant insurance increases and a permanent criminal record, a thorough defense is critical. The attorneys at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. work to achieve a favorable resolution, while always informing clients that Results may vary. Based on the facts of each case.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has handled criminal and traffic matters since founding the firm in 1997. Licensed to practice in New York, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey, he brings a multi-state perspective to every representation. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys add to this experience; each is an independent practitioner who contracts directly with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Together, the attorneys have handled a wide range of traffic and criminal defense matters. When you contact the firm, you benefit from a group of attorneys who understand both the prosecution and defense sides of a hit and run case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I am charged with hit and run in Queens County?
Contact an experienced traffic defense attorney immediately and avoid discussing the facts with anyone other than your lawyer. A hit and run charge in Queens County can be a traffic infraction or a criminal offense. An attorney can help you understand the specific charge, preserve evidence, and appear with you at the Traffic Violations Bureau or criminal court. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Guides clients through each stage of the process, from initial notice through hearing or trial. For a consultation, reach our New York location at (888) 437-7747.
Does the New York Traffic Violations Bureau handle hit and run cases?
Yes, hit and run cases involving only property damage and charged as a traffic infraction are typically handled by the New York State Traffic Violations Bureau in Queens County. The TVB process does not allow plea bargaining, so an attorney will focus on challenging the evidence at the hearing. If the hit and run involves injury or death, the case is handled by the Queens County Criminal Court as a misdemeanor or felony, where plea negotiations with the District Attorney’s Office are possible. An attorney familiar with both forums can assess the appropriate strategy.
Can a hit and run charge affect my driver’s license?
A hit and run conviction in New York can result in a driver’s license suspension or revocation, depending on the severity of the offense. Even a finding of liability for a traffic infraction can lead to points on your license and a subsequent suspension if you accumulate too many points. An experienced attorney can help you understand the possible consequences and present arguments to protect your driving privileges. Every case is different; contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss the facts of your situation.
What if I was not driving the car when the hit and run occurred?
You cannot be convicted of a hit and run if you were not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the incident. The prosecution must identify you as the operator beyond a reasonable doubt. If you were not driving, your attorney can present alibi evidence, challenge the reliability of any identification, and potentially seek dismissal. Acting quickly to preserve any evidence that shows you were elsewhere is important. Contact our location to discuss your defense options.
Will a hit and run conviction appear on my criminal record?
A conviction for a misdemeanor or felony hit and run will appear on your permanent criminal record in New York. A traffic infraction for leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage is not a crime and may not appear on a criminal record, but can still be reported to your driving history. Because a criminal record can affect employment and housing, it is important to have skilled representation. The attorneys at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. work to mitigate the long-term consequences of a hit and run charge.
Why should I hire an attorney for a hit and run charge in Queens?
An attorney can challenge the evidence, negotiate with the prosecutor, and help you understand the possible outcomes before you decide how to proceed. New York’s traffic and criminal courts have procedural rules that are difficult to navigate without legal training. The firm’s experience with both the Traffic Violations Bureau and Queens County courts allows Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys to identify weaknesses in the case and pursue the trusted … Resolution. To request a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
For a detailed statutory analysis of New York traffic laws, visit our comprehensive traffic defense center.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder
Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
Practicing since 1997
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
New York Location — By appointment only. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.