In Manhattan, leaving the scene of an incident involving injury is a Class D felony under NY VTL § 600 carrying up to 7 years in prison. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has handled thousands of traffic cases firm-wide. A Leaving the Scene Lawyer Manhattan builds your defense around intent and knowledge.
Last verified: April 2026 | New York County Supreme Court | NY State Legislature
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) § 600 governs leaving the scene of an incident. The statute requires any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to stop, provide identification, and render reasonable assistance. Failure to do so constitutes a criminal offense. The severity of the charge depends on the degree of injury: property damage only is a traffic infraction; personal injury elevates the charge to a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail); serious physical injury or death raises it to a Class D or Class E felony (up to 7 years). A Leaving the Scene Lawyer Manhattan examines whether the prosecution can prove you knew an accident occurred — the critical element of the offense.
Review the official statute: NY VTL § 600 (official NY Senate). Court information is available at the New York County Supreme Court website.
- Do not speak to police without your lawyer present. Anything you say can be used to prove knowledge.
- Preserve your vehicle. Do not repair damage until your lawyer inspects it.
- Gather any dashcam footage or witness contact information immediately.
- Contact a Leaving the Scene Lawyer Manhattan before your arraignment at 60 Centre Street.
- Request a copy of the police report and any surveillance footage from the area.
- Prepare for a possible ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal) if this is your first offense.
In Manhattan, leaving the scene of an accident carries penalties ranging from a traffic infraction to a Class D felony.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property damage only | Traffic infraction | None | Up to $250 | Points on license | Driver Responsibility Assessment |
| Personal injury | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | Up to $1,000 | License suspension possible | Criminal record |
| Serious physical injury or death | Class D felony | Up to 7 years | Up to $5,000 | License revocation | Permanent criminal record |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has handled 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating his deep understanding of statutory law. As a hit and run defense lawyer Manhattan, Mr. Sris applies his prosecutorial insight to every case.
Firm-wide, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has achieved 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. These results span traffic, criminal, and family law matters across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our NY location serves clients at New York County (Manhattan) courts, accessible via FDR Drive, West Side Hwy, all subway lines, Lincoln/Holland Tunnels, and GW Bridge. We serve all Manhattan neighborhoods: Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Tribeca, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, East Village, Financial District, Chinatown, Washington Heights, Inwood.
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Does New York have cash bail?
Yes, but NY reformed bail in 2020, eliminating cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. Most defendants in New York County (Manhattan) are released on recognizance. Cases are heard at New York County Supreme Court (60 Centre Street). An ACD is available for many first offenses.
What is an ACD in New York County (Manhattan), New York?
It depends. An Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) is a NY disposition where charges are adjourned for 6-12 months and automatically dismissed if you have no new arrests. It is available for many first offenses at New York County Supreme Court. ACD records can be sealed.
Can I get my criminal record sealed in New York County (Manhattan), New York?
Yes. NY offers conditional sealing under CPL § 160.59 for qualifying convictions (up to 2) after 10 years. ACD results in automatic sealing. Marijuana offenses have expanded eligibility. Cases in New York County (Manhattan) are sealed through the court.
What is the penalty for a misdemeanor in New York County (Manhattan), New York?
A Class A misdemeanor in New York County (Manhattan) carries up to 1 year jail. Class B carries up to 3 months. Violations carry up to 15 days. Cases are heard at New York County Supreme Court (60 Centre Street). NY’s 2020 bail reform means most misdemeanor defendants are released without bail.
How long does a divorce take in New York County (Manhattan), New York?
An uncontested divorce takes 3-6 months from filing to judgment. A contested divorce takes 12-24+ months. NYC courts tend to be longer due to volume. A mandatory settlement conference is required before trial. Forensic custody evaluations take 2-6 months.
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Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.