Charged with Hit and Run (La. R.S. 14:100) anywhere in Louisiana? The Barkemeyer Law Firm defends drivers in every parish — from Baton Rouge and New Orleans to Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Shreveport. We fight to protect your record, your freedom, and your driver’s license.
Hit and run in Louisiana is not “just a traffic ticket.” It’s a criminal charge that can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts — including whether there were injuries, how serious those injuries were, and whether the driver allegedly left the scene without giving information or offering aid.
Prosecutors and judges across Louisiana treat hit and run cases aggressively. Even on a first offense, you could be looking at jail time, fines, probation, driver’s license problems, and a permanent criminal record that can affect work, insurance, and professional licensing.
The Barkemeyer Law Firm focuses on criminal defense — including serious traffic crimes like hit and run, DWI, reckless operation, and related allegations. We defend cases in parish courts, city courts, and district courts throughout the entire State of Louisiana.
If you’ve been accused of leaving the scene of an accident, do not try to “explain yourself” to law enforcement or the DA first. Talk to a defense lawyer who does this every day.
Under Louisiana’s hit and run statute (La. R.S. 14:100), a driver can be charged if the state claims that:
Importantly, the state must usually show that you knew you were in an accident and knowingly left the scene.
Police, prosecutors, and insurance investigators move fast in hit and run cases — sometimes using license plate data, traffic cameras, body cam footage, witness statements, and even paint transfer from vehicles to build a case.
If the incident only involves property damage and no serious bodily injury, the charge is often treated as a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor hit and run in Louisiana can carry:
Even a misdemeanor can leave you with a criminal record that employers, insurers, and licensing boards can see.
Hit and run turns into a felony if the state claims there was serious bodily injury or death, and that leaving the scene endangered the victim’s health. In those cases, penalties can include:
Felony hit and run is life-changing. A conviction can follow you permanently — not just in Louisiana but anywhere background checks are run.
Reminder: You do not have to “go explain yourself” to the police or the DA before you talk to your lawyer. Anything you say can be used to build the case against you.
We represent clients in district courts, parish courts, and city courts across Louisiana. Whether your case is in a rural parish or a major metro area, we know how those courts operate.
Hit and run often comes packaged with other charges like Reckless Operation, DWI, or Driving Under Suspension. We defend all of it. We work to protect both your record and your driver’s license.
In many misdemeanor cases, we can often appear on your behalf so you don't have to stand in court on every date and miss work or school. (Felony cases usually require personal appearances.)
Our job is not just to “show up.” We build a defense strategy designed to avoid jail when possible, limit fines, fight felony exposure, and protect your future.
In many Louisiana parishes, we can often negotiate to avoid you getting physically booked into jail if we get involved early enough. Every case is different, but speed matters.
It can be either. If there’s only property damage and nobody is seriously hurt, it’s usually filed as a misdemeanor. If the state says there was serious bodily injury or death and you left, it can become a felony and expose you to years in prison and thousands in fines.
Jail is possible — even on a first offense — especially if someone was injured. But in many misdemeanor cases (no serious injury), we work to negotiate outcomes focused on fines, restitution, and probation instead of active jail time. Results vary by parish, judge, and facts.
Maybe. The statute focuses on “intentional failure to stop” and give info / render aid. Coming back later can help from a negotiation standpoint, but it doesn’t erase the allegation. Talk to us before you contact law enforcement yourself.
Absolutely. Officers use license plate readers, traffic cameras, witnesses, and even paint transfer and damage patterns to match vehicles. They also run registration info and show up at your house or work to question you.
Do not call and start explaining “your side” before you talk to a lawyer. The officer is trained to get admissions on the record. We frequently step in and communicate for you to prevent accidental self-incrimination.
Very often, yes. In many parishes we can contact the court or the DA, arrange surrender on our terms, aim to avoid surprise arrests at work or home, and move the case toward damage control instead of panic.
Yes. We defend hit and run, DWI, reckless operation, and related charges in courts throughout Louisiana — including rural parishes. We understand that even a single mistake can threaten your entire future.
You do not have to go face this alone in court.
Contact the Barkemeyer Law FirmLearn more about hit and run charges, penalties, defenses, and what to do next. These guides are written for Louisiana drivers:
These articles are for general information only. Your situation is unique. Before you speak to law enforcement, insurance, or an investigator, talk to a defense lawyer who handles hit and run cases in Louisiana every day.
The Barkemeyer Law Firm represents clients in criminal and traffic-related cases across Louisiana — not just in major metros, but in smaller towns and rural areas too. We regularly appear for clients in and around:
We defend hit & run, leaving the scene, and related charges in city courts, mayor’s courts, and district courts across Louisiana. If your town isn’t listed here, reach out — we may still be able to appear in that jurisdiction.
The Barkemeyer Law Firm defends clients in courts throughout the entire state of Louisiana, including (but not limited to) the following parishes:
Even if your parish isn't listed, reach out. We routinely defend hit & run and related criminal charges all over Louisiana.
Louisiana DWI lawyers at the Barkemeyer Law Firm providing legal defense services for clients in ALL of Louisiana.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is not formal legal advice nor does it create an attorney-client relationship.
