When a person is charged with a serious crime, many different things can happen. In some cases, the person may be arrested right away. In other situations, police may arrest a person following an investigation or search. In one recent Portland case, the person turned himself into the police and was arrested forfelonies.
In this case, the police were searching for a hit-and-run driver. Apparently, a woman was hit by a dark colored SUV in Southeast Portland. She was discovered in the road and taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Police began a search for the vehicle that witnesses spotted. Witnesses also claimed that the car that hit the woman never slowed down following the impact.
According to reports, the 49-year-old man turned himself into the police the day after the accident. Following his arrest, the man was charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution as well as felony hit-and-run. His car was found at a local mechanic shop. The man was being held in jail pending a court hearing.
Felony charges are always serious and require defendants to come up with a criminal defense plan. In some cases, prosecutors may be willing to negotiate a plea agreement with defendants. A plea deal can lead to reduced penalties but will likely leave a person with a criminal record.
In other cases, people facing felony charges may be better off defending against the charges. Depending on the specific facts in each case, there are defenses that are available to help mitigate the potential punishments.
Before talking with police, people should make sure they understand their rights and defense options. Otherwise, those charged with felonies could spend significant time behind bars.
Source: The Oregonian, "Southeast Portland hit-and-run suspect turns himself in to police," Victoria Edwards, Feb. 25, 2013
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