Over 31 years · Long Island criminal defense
Over 31 years · Long Island criminal defense
I've personally defended over 2,000 people across Nassau & Suffolk for 31 years. Tell me what happened and I'll text you back.
150+ Five-Star Reviews
"Superb" Avvo Rating for over a decade
Long Island Leaving the Scene of an Accident Lawyer
If you left the scene of an accident in Suffolk County, Nassau County, or anywhere on Long Island, you are likely experiencing intense fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about what comes next. You may be wondering whether to contact police, what charges you face, or if turning yourself in is the right move. Stop. Before you do anything else, contact an experienced attorney.
Leaving the scene of an accident—commonly called ‘hit and run’—is one of the most serious traffic-related criminal offenses in New York. Depending on the circumstances, you could face anything from a traffic violation to a felony punishable by years in state prison. The actions you take in the hours and days after the incident will determine the outcome of your case.
I am Edward Palermo, a Suffolk County and Nassau County criminal defense attorney with over 31 years of experience. I have successfully defended hundreds of clients facing leaving the scene charges, from minor property damage incidents to cases involving serious injury and death. In November 2024, a Newsday article highlighted a case involving my client who received remarkably lenient treatment—a direct result of immediate legal intervention before any police contact occurred.
I will answer all of your questions. I will explain the criminal charges you face. I will explain potential strategies to win your case. New clients ALWAYS feel better after they speak to me.
Ed Palermo
Why clients choose Ed
Pre-Arrest Representation
The most critical time is BEFORE police contact. I intervene immediately to protect your rights, prevent charges from being filed, or minimize the severity of charges.
31+ Years Experience
Since 1994, I have handled hundreds of leaving the scene cases. I know exactly how prosecutors evaluate these cases and how to position you for the best outcome.
Serious Injury & Death Cases
I have successfully defended clients facing felony leaving the scene charges, criminally negligent homicide, and manslaughter. These cases require immediate, aggressive defense.
24/7 Immediate Response
When you call me at (631) 903-3733, you reach me directly. Leaving the scene cases demand immediate attention—hours matter.
If you have left the scene of an accident, you are in a race against time. Every hour that passes without legal representation increases your risk of facing more serious charges, making damaging statements, or losing critical evidence that could exonerate you.
Do not speak to police. Do not go to the precinct. Do not turn yourself in without counsel. These actions, while they may seem like the ‘right thing to do,’ often result in statements that prosecutors will use against you, charges that could have been avoided, and outcomes far worse than necessary.
When you hire me before police contact, I can:
In November 2024, Newsday reported on a case involving my client who received remarkably lenient treatment after a leaving the scene incident. The article noted the outcome as unusually favorable—a direct result of immediate legal intervention before any police contact occurred. This is the power of early representation.
Read my detailed analysis of this case and why legal representation is critical in leaving the scene cases: Why Legal Representation is Critical in Leaving the Scene of an Accident Cases: Lessons from a High-Profile Suffolk County Case
Recognized by the community
Voted Best of Long Island by readers of BestOfLongIsland.com — alongside a New York Law Journal Trailblazer Award and a “Superb” Avvo rating held for over a decade.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Legal disclaimer
I represented a medical doctor charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving a fatality. My client had no prior criminal history and faced up to 4 years in state prison. I convinced a New York State Supreme Court Justice to sentence him to probation without any jail time.
I represented a former police officer charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident on Long Island. I negotiated a very favorable disposition for my client. The case was the subject of a Newsday story focused on lenient results in leaving-the-scene cases.
Meet Ed Palermo
I have dedicated over 31 years to criminal defense, representing more than 2,000 Long Island residents facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. My practice focuses exclusively on high-stakes criminal trial defense and DWI defense across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the East End.
I appear regularly in the Nassau County Court in Mineola defending serious felony indictments, the First District Court in Hempstead handling misdemeanor offenses, the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip handling Suffolk County misdemeanors and lower felonies, the Suffolk County Court in Riverhead for serious felony and DWI matters, and local village and town justice courts across the East End from Westhampton through Montauk. I know the prosecutors, the judges, and the distinct court culture in each jurisdiction. That knowledge comes only from decades of consistent daily courtroom presence.
My trial experience matters. I have secured not guilty verdicts in complex felony cases including First Degree Assault, First Degree Robbery, Second Degree Burglary charged as a persistent violent felony offender, First Degree Rape, felony sexual assault, and DWI accidents. I have negotiated favorable, non-custodial outcomes in cases where clients faced state prison time. I have successfully gotten serious felony charges reduced and dismissed when prosecutors were certain they held airtight cases.
But what I am most proud of is how my clients feel after our first conversation. That initial crushing wave of panic transforms into absolute confidence once they realize they have an experienced advocate who knows exactly how to dismantle the District Attorney’s case.
Client Reviews
“Ed is a great lawyer!”
Ed is a great lawyer! Very intelligent and with his 30+ years experience really gives him upper hand on trials and other criminal cases. Highly recommend him.
“...Thanks to his services, I am living a much better life...”
Edward was nothing but a true professional when helping me with my situation. Thanks to his services, I am living a much better life. Thank you.
“...I can finally move on with my life and serve my country”
I recently joined the military but made a mistake before I enlisted that could have seriously affected my life which I was charged for. Mr Palermo got my case dismissed. I’m so glad I can finally move on with my life and serve my country
“...when I tell you he got my case dismissed i mean DISMISSED...”
I had a DWI case in Nassau and when I tell you he got my case dismissed i mean DISMISSED and DWI wasn’t the only charge
“If you’re facing a DWI...do yourself a favor and call Ed”
Ed Palermo is an incredible attorney! Even after my DWI case was resolved very favorably, I still had the interlock device in my car. Ed took care of that as well writing a motion for early termination after 6 months maintaining the device. If you’re facing a DWI case please do yourself a favor and call Ed Palermo. Best decision I could have made!
If you are reading this page because you left the scene of an accident, time is critical. Here is what you need to do immediately:
1. DO NOT SPEAK TO POLICE
Anything you say can and will be used against you. Police are not trying to help you—they are building a criminal case. Politely decline to answer questions and request an attorney.
2. CALL ME IMMEDIATELY: (631) 903-3733
I answer my phone 24/7. When you hire me, I will advise you on whether to contact police (usually through me, not directly), coordinate a surrender on your terms if necessary, preserve evidence that helps your case, contact witnesses before their memories fade, and negotiate with prosecutors before charges are filed.
3. DO NOT POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Prosecutors monitor social media. Any post, comment, or photo related to the incident can be used against you.
4. PRESERVE EVIDENCE
Take photos of your vehicle, save any text messages or communications, and write down everything you remember about the incident while it’s fresh.
5. DO NOT CONTACT THE OTHER PARTY
Any contact with the other driver, passengers, or witnesses can be construed as witness tampering or intimidation. All communication must go through your attorney.
The most serious leaving the scene cases involve both departure from the scene AND alcohol or drug impairment. When intoxication is involved, prosecutors may file additional charges including criminally negligent homicide or vehicular manslaughter.
When a person dies as a result of a driver’s criminal negligence—which can include both intoxication and leaving the scene—prosecutors may charge criminally negligent homicide, a Class E felony.
If the defendant was intoxicated (BAC .08 or higher) and caused a death, leaving the scene may result in vehicular manslaughter charges:
Second Degree (Class D Felony): Up to 7 years prison
First Degree (Class C Felony): Up to 15 years prison
New York law classifies leaving the scene of an accident into different degrees based on the severity of the incident. Understanding these distinctions is critical because the difference between degrees can mean the difference between a traffic ticket and years in prison.
When an accident results only in damage to property (another vehicle, a building, a fence, etc.) with no personal injury, leaving the scene is classified as a traffic infraction—not a crime.
Penalties:
If the accident results in any physical injury to another person—no matter how minor—leaving the scene becomes a criminal misdemeanor.
Penalties:
When leaving the scene of an accident results in serious physical injury to another person, the charge becomes a Class E felony.
Penalties:
Leaving the scene of an accident where someone dies is a Class D felony.
Penalties:
Not without speaking to an attorney first. 'Turning yourself in' often means making statements to police that will be used against you. Let me coordinate a surrender on your terms, if surrender is even necessary.
Yes. Even property damage-only cases carry up to 15 days in jail (though jail is rare for first offenses). Injury cases carry up to 1 year. Serious injury or death cases carry years in prison. Immediate legal representation is critical to avoiding incarceration.
Generally yes—insurance coverage is based on the accident itself, not your decision to leave. However, leaving the scene may violate your policy terms. I work with insurance issues as part of your defense strategy.
In property damage-only cases, full restitution often results in dismissal or reduction to a non-criminal violation. In injury cases, payment of medical bills is a significant mitigating factor but does not guarantee dismissal.
Lack of knowledge is a defense. If you genuinely did not know an accident occurred—perhaps due to minimal impact, poor visibility, or vehicle characteristics—this may result in dismissal. However, 'I didn't know' is a common claim that requires credible evidence.
Statute of limitations varies by severity: traffic infractions (2 years), misdemeanors (2 years), felonies (5 years). However, police typically investigate and file charges within days or weeks of the incident.
Most leaving the scene cases resolve through plea agreements. The quality of the plea depends on the severity of the incident, your criminal history, and—most importantly—the skill and timing of your attorney's intervention.
Property damage: possible suspension. Personal injury: mandatory 6-month revocation. Serious injury or death: mandatory revocation with lengthy suspension period. I fight to minimize or avoid license consequences.
