Njeri London
Co-Founding Partner
- Texas Bar No.: 24043266
- Licensed since: 2006
- Law school: Thurgood Marshall School of Law
- Memberships: State Bar of Texas, TCDLA
Charge We Defend
Texas Failure to Stop and Render Aid Defense
Free, confidential consultation 24/7 across the DFW Metroplex. Call (214) 466-1398.
Quick Answer
Texas Failure to Stop and Render Aid (FSRA) defense under Transportation Code §550.021. Felony exposure when injury or death results, knowledge element, and defense strategy. Call (214) 466-1398.
What Is Failure to Stop and Render Aid?
Under Texas Transportation Code §550.021, the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must immediately stop, return to the scene, determine whether anyone needs aid, render reasonable assistance, and provide identifying information. Failure to comply when injury or death has resulted is a felony.
If the accident caused death — second-degree felony, 2 to 20 years. If serious bodily injury — third-degree felony, 2 to 10 years. The State must prove the operator knew or should have known the accident produced injury or death; the knowledge element is often the central issue at trial.
Penalties Under Texas Law
Failure to Stop and Render Aid is prosecuted under §550.021. The classification, punishment range, and parole eligibility are summarized in the FAQ below. A deadly weapon finding under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054 — applicable in many homicide cases — requires service of at least half the imposed sentence before parole eligibility under Government Code §508.145.
How We Defend Texas Failure to Stop and Render Aid Defense
Every defense begins with the offense report and indictment, but the work that produces results is independent — our own investigation, our own forensic experts, our own witness interviews. We do not rely on the State's narrative. We test it.
For texas failure to stop and render aid defense cases specifically, the elements that drive outcomes include the State's mens-rea proof, chain of custody on physical and forensic evidence, witness identification reliability, constitutional compliance with the stop and arrest, and any expert methodology behind toxicology, accident reconstruction, or pathology testimony.
Our Five-Step Defense Process
- 01
Free Consultation + Triage
You call. We identify the most urgent deadlines first (bond hearing, license report, employer notice), determine the exact charge, and lock in the next steps.
- 02
Discovery + Evidence Audit
We obtain the offense report, body and dash cam, autopsy and toxicology, accident reconstruction, witness statements, and 911 transcripts. We audit every link in the State's evidence chain.
- 03
Expert Retention + Investigation
For homicide and vehicular cases, we retain accident reconstructionists, toxicologists, ballistics experts, and forensic pathologists where the facts warrant. Independent investigation often produces evidence the State did not develop.
- 04
Negotiation + Lesser-Included Strategy
We negotiate from strength — using forensic gaps, mens-rea ambiguities, and constitutional issues. Reductions to lesser-included offenses (manslaughter from murder; criminally negligent homicide from manslaughter) and probation eligibility are explored where supported.
- 05
Trial-Ready + Sentencing Mitigation
If trial is the right call, we are ready. Voir dire, expert cross-examination, jury-charge negotiation. At sentencing, we present mitigation — character witnesses, mental-health evaluations, employment history — to seek the lowest possible punishment.
Texas Criminal Defense Counsel
Reggie London
Co-Founding Partner
- Texas Bar No.: 24043514
- Licensed since: 2005
- Law school: Thurgood Marshall School of Law
- Former: Dallas County District Attorney’s Office
Recent Client Reviews & Case Results
★★★★★ Average rating 4.8 / 5 · Read all reviews on Google
“Reggie was direct from the first call. He told us what was realistic and what was not. The case ended with a dismissal we did not think was possible.”
— Verified Google Review
“Njeri walked us through every step. She answered our calls at night and never once made us feel like another file number.”
— Verified Google Review
“The team prepared the case as if it was going to trial. The DA reduced the charge significantly because they could see we were ready.”
— Verified Google Review
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is evaluated on its own facts.
Educational Resource
Background Reading on Texas Failure to Stop and Render Aid Defense
Frequently Asked Questions
Under Texas Transportation Code §550.021, the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must (1) immediately stop, (2) return to the scene, (3) determine if anyone needs aid, (4) provide reasonable assistance, and (5) provide identification information. Failure to comply is a felony when injury or death resulted.
Depends on the underlying accident. If the accident resulted in death — second-degree felony, 2-20 years TDCJ. If serious bodily injury — third-degree felony, 2-10 years. If injury other than serious bodily injury — third-degree felony, 2-10 years (maximum confinement five years). If property damage only — Class B or Class C misdemeanor under Transportation Code §550.022 or §550.024.
Yes. The State must prove the operator knew or should have known the accident resulted in injury. Texas case law treats actual knowledge or constructive knowledge as the central issue. Defense often centers on the knowledge element — what the driver knew or could have known under the circumstances.
Hit-and-run is the colloquial term. Texas does not call the offense 'hit and run' — the official charge is failure to stop and render aid (FSRA) under §550.021 (injury/death cases) or failure to give information and render aid (FGIRA) under §550.022 (property-damage cases) or §550.024 (unattended vehicle).
Yes — second-degree felony under Transportation Code §550.021(c)(1)(A). And the underlying conduct (DWI or reckless driving) often produces parallel charges. If intoxication caused the death, a separate intoxication manslaughter charge under §49.08 typically follows.
Lack of knowledge that the accident caused injury or death (the central element), mistaken identity (someone else was driving), justification or duress (rare), challenges to the State's accident reconstruction, and Fourth Amendment challenges to evidence collection (cell records, vehicle damage analysis, surveillance footage).
Talk to a lawyer first. Self-surrender is sometimes the right move, but timing, terms, and statements made during the surrender are critical. Voluntary surrender with a lawyer present typically produces better bond outcomes and stronger cooperation credit if a plea is later negotiated.
Yes, generally — felony FSRA is probation-eligible in most cases. Conditions typically include community service, restitution to victims, license suspension, and victim impact panels. A second-degree FSRA with a deadly weapon finding limits some probation options.
Fault for the accident itself is not a defense to FSRA. The duty to stop and render aid arises regardless of who caused the accident. Even where the other driver was wholly at fault, fleeing the scene creates separate criminal liability.
Yes. A conviction triggers mandatory license suspension under Transportation Code §521.342 — 6 months for FSRA causing damage, 1 year for FSRA causing injury, and 2 years for FSRA causing death. Occupational driver's licenses may be available under Subchapter L.
Texas Failure to Stop and Render Aid Defense — Intake Form & Quick Reference
Confidential PDFs you can fill out at home and bring or email to us. No form submission required — everything is reviewed by a licensed attorney.
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Texas Failure to Stop and Render Aid Defense Intake Form
PDF intake form — case background, prior history, witnesses, evidence preservation. Save and email back.
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What to Do If You Are Charged or Under Investigation
One-page quick reference. Print, save to your phone, or share with family. Critical first 24-hour steps.
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This website is for general information purposes only and constitutes attorney advertising under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its facts and circumstances. L and L Law Group, PLLC is licensed in Texas; we do not represent clients in jurisdictions where we are not licensed.