Commonwealth v. John Doe

CHARGE OF LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT AGAINST HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENT DISMISSED AT CLERK MAGISTRATE HEARING AS A RESULT OF ATTORNEY GERALD J. NOONAN’S REPRESENTATION. 

Easton Police were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle accident wherein the Defendant’s vehicle allegedly fled the scene. Upon arrival, police observed extensive damage to the other vehicle, and the other operator stated that the Defendant fled the scene. Other witnesses reported that the Defendant fled the scene. Police were provided with the license plate of the fleeing vehicle, and responded to the Defendant’s home where he was living with his mother. The Defendant denied causing the accident, and officers did not believe him. Defendant stated that he fled the scene because he didn’t know what to do. As a result, the Defendant was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident pursuant to G.L. c. 90, §24(2)(a).

Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan was able to get the criminal complaint dismissed at a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. He presented evidence that the victim’s vehicle damage had been paid by insurance, and that the Defendant completed Safe Driving Courses. Defendant was a juvenile with no criminal record. He is a junior in high school with a great G.P.A., and he is a standout athlete on the varsity hockey team. Attorney Noonan presented character evidence. Attorney Noonan argued that his client, a young kid, was scared after the accident and went directly to his home, only two-miles away, where he told his parents what happened. Defendant and his mother were planning on returning to the scene to exchange information with the other driver, but the police had arrived to their home before they could do so. As the criminal complaint was dismissed, Defendant will have no record. He is planning on attending college.