LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES (F.S. 316.027(2a))
REDUCED SENTENCE
Escambia County, FL
January 14, 2026
Client faced Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Serious Bodily Injury (F.S. § 316.027(2)(a)), a second-degree felony carrying up to 15 years in Florida State Prison and up to a $10,000 fine, with a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment. The charge alleged that the client was involved in a [REDACTED] motor vehicle accident that resulted in serious bodily injury to [REDACTED] and that the client left the scene without providing required information or rendering aid. Under Florida's mandatory minimum sentencing provisions for LSOA with serious injury, the court was required to impose a term of imprisonment unless the defense could overcome the statutory mandate. The client — a [REDACTED] individual with [REDACTED] — faced the very real prospect of years in state prison, a permanent felony record, and the devastating financial consequences of civil liability stemming from the accident. The prosecution initially adopted an aggressive posture, seeking the statutory maximum penalties.
Attorney Brad Rowe took the lead on this case and conducted an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances of the accident, the client's actions immediately following the incident, and the [REDACTED] medical evidence regarding the alleged victim's injuries. Through meticulous preparation for a contested sentencing hearing and aggressive negotiation with the State, the defense secured a resolution that avoided state prison. At the sentencing hearing, the defense presented [REDACTED] mitigating evidence, including the client's [REDACTED] history, [REDACTED] circumstances surrounding the decision to leave the scene, and documentation of the client's [REDACTED] efforts to take responsibility. The court was persuaded to impose a sentence below what the State had demanded, avoiding state prison and providing the client with a path forward. This outcome was particularly significant given the mandatory minimum imprisonment provision attached to this charge. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case depends on its facts and circumstances.