Lawyer Flight Crime Brussels | Novex Lawyers
Were you charged with hit-and-run after a traffic accident? A hit-and-run is one of the most serious traffic crimes in Belgium and can lead to imprisonment, long-term driving bans and heavy fines. Novex Lawyers defends you before the police court or correctional court in Brussels and the surrounding area.
Direct contact: 048 499 22 72 | asfour@novexadvocaten.be
What is a flight crime?
A crime of flight (Article 33 Road Traffic Act) occurs when a driver is involved in a traffic accident and voluntarily flees without leaving his identity information, without rendering assistance to victims, and/or without waiting for the police. Even in case of damage to a parked vehicle where you fail to stop, you can be prosecuted for fleeing crime.
What are the penalties for a crime of escape?
Flight crime is not treated in Belgium as an ordinary traffic violation, but as a felony. The penalties are correspondingly severe:
- Imprisonment: from 15 days to 6 months (for purely property damage), or up to 3 years (for personal injury), or up to 5 years (for death of a victim).
- Money penalty: from 800 to 16,000 euros (after decimes), depending on the severity of the crime.
- Driving ban: at least 3 months to a lifetime, depending on circumstances.
- Forfeiture of the right to steer: With requirement for medical, psychological, theoretical and practical examinations.
- Civil liability: your insurer may refuse to provide coverage for hit-and-run crimes, which could make you personally liable for damages.
What are the components of a flight crime?
For a fugitive felony conviction, the prosecution must prove:
- You were involved in the traffic accident (directly or indirectly).
- You knew or reasonably should have known that an accident had occurred.
- You voluntarily took the flight without complying with legal obligations.
Proof of willfulness is essential. Were you unaware of the accident? Did you have a valid reason for leaving? These are elements that your attorney can fully utilize.
How can a lawyer defend you?
- Contesting intent: prove that you did not know or could not have known that an accident had occurred.
- Contestation of involvement: Was it your vehicle? Were you the driver at the time?
- Mitigation of punishment: extenuating circumstances, a clean criminal record, remorse and voluntary contact with the other party are elements that the judge considers.
- Contesting the determination: camera footage, testimony, technical evidence - a lawyer analyzes the entire file.
- Amicable settlement: in some cases, an agreement can be reached before the hearing, which can significantly reduce the consequences.
Insurance consequences of escape crime
A hit-and-run crime can also have serious insurance consequences. Your insurer may recover covered damages from you personally (recourse), or cancel your policy. In the case of personal injury to the victim, the Joint Motor Insurance Fund will intervene, but this fund can then also sue you personally. An attorney will accompany you both in criminal court and in insurance proceedings.
Contact Novex Lawyers
Are you on trial for fleeing crime? Every day counts. The sooner you consult a lawyer, the better your defense can be built. Novex Advocaten represents you before the police courts and correctional courts of Brussels, Halle, Leuven and Vilvoorde.
📞 048 499 22 72
📧 asfour@novexadvocaten.be
📍 Avenue Louise 379, 1050 Bruxelles
Frequently asked questions: flight crime
What if I didn't notice the victim? The intentional nature of the flight is an essential component of the crime. As a Brussels escape crime lawyer, Novex Lawyers builds a defense around whether you actually knew or could have known that a traffic accident had occurred.
I returned to the scene of the accident. Does that help? Yes, this may be a relevant circumstance that the judge takes into account in sentencing. Your Brussels escape crime lawyer will explain this argument in court.
My vehicle was identified through camera footage. What now? Camera footage is a common piece of evidence in escape crime cases. Novex Lawyers examines the quality of the evidence and whether the identification was done correctly.
If you are suspected or issued a summons for fleeing crime in Brussels or the surrounding area, contact Novex Lawyers immediately: 048 499 22 72 or asfour@novexadvocaten.be.