Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin
If you had a concussion from a car accident, and couldn't tell the police officer your side of the story right away........how much time do you have to notify the officer or the police dept. and tell them ?
Can the officer place a charge against you, if you are considered to be too late?
1 Answer from Attorneys
I would urge you to have a private conference with an experienced criminal lawyer immediately, before you contact police. Generally speaking, the longer you wait to report an accident, the more guilty you will appear. However, particularly if this was a major accident which could lead to more serious charges than hit and run, you need detailed legal advice when deciding whether or not to give up your constitutional right to remain silent. Hit and run is an unusual type of charge where silence (failure to report) can actually constitute the crime itself and can also incriminate you. This is contrary to the typical Miranda warning popular understandings. Please do not assume that I am your attorney because of my response here, but feel free to call my office in Racine (262-633-3090 or email [email protected]) for clarifications regarding my answer. Otherwise, under the ordinary circumstances of my responding here, I would not be taking any action on your case. See me on the web at www.jayknixonlaw.com. View my past answers at http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/53401-wi-jay-nixon-1529181/answers.html?sort=recency , or see an even larger collection of responses at http://www.lawguru.com/answers/search/attorney/jknixon, . Answers may contain attorney advertising materials.
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