Public protests, marches, and demonstrations are a protected form of free speech in the United States\u2014but what happens when these gatherings spill onto roadways? If a driver hits a protester with their car, whether intentionally or accidentally, serious criminal charges can result. In Arizona, these cases are highly fact-specific and often spark national attention. Here’s what you need to know.<\/p>\n
Vehicular Assault or Manslaughter Charges<\/strong><\/p>\n If you run over a protester with your vehicle, you could be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon<\/strong> under Arizona law. A car is considered a deadly weapon when used to cause harm. This is a class 3 felony<\/strong> under ARS \u00a713-1204<\/strong>, carrying a potential prison sentence\u2014even if the injury was not fatal.<\/p>\n If the protester dies, you could face manslaughter<\/strong> (ARS \u00a713-1103<\/strong>) or even second-degree murder<\/strong> charges, depending on whether the act was reckless or intentional. Prosecutors will examine the driver\u2019s intent, speed, path, and behavior leading up to the incident.<\/p>\n Was It an Accident?<\/strong><\/p>\n If the incident was truly accidental\u2014such as poor visibility or being blocked by a crowd\u2014police will investigate whether you took reasonable steps to avoid harm. However, being in the \u201cwrong place at the wrong time\u201d does not automatically excuse a driver from liability.<\/p>\n Even if you didn\u2019t mean to hit someone, you could still be charged with negligent homicide<\/strong> or reckless endangerment<\/strong>, especially if you’re found to be driving distracted, impaired, or speeding through a known protest area.<\/p>\n Self-Defense Claims<\/strong><\/p>\n Arizona recognizes the right to self-defense, including the use of force to escape danger<\/strong>. If protesters were actively surrounding or attacking your vehicle, and you reasonably believed your life was in danger, your attorney might argue self-defense.<\/p>\n However, this defense is not automatic<\/strong> and must be supported by evidence\u2014such as video footage or witness testimony showing you were trapped or under threat. If you simply drove through a crowd without provocation or imminent danger, self-defense is unlikely to hold up in court.<\/p>\n Hit and Run Consequences<\/strong><\/p>\n Even if the collision seems minor, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death<\/strong> is a felony in Arizona (ARS \u00a728-661<\/strong>). Fleeing can significantly worsen your legal situation and result in additional charges\u2014even if the initial collision was an accident.<\/p>\n Always call 911 and remain at the scene unless your immediate safety is at risk. Then, contact a qualified defense attorney immediately.<\/p>\n Political Climate and Public Pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n Cases involving protests are often politically charged<\/strong> and receive intense media coverage<\/strong>. Prosecutors may pursue aggressive charges due to public outcry\u2014even when evidence is unclear. This makes early legal representation critical.<\/p>\n What To Do If You\u2019re Involved<\/strong><\/p>\n If you’re involved in an incident like this, do not speak to police without a lawyer present. Contact an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney immediately. Your freedom, reputation, and future could be on the line.<\/p>\n Contact Rideout Law Group Today<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re facing criminal charges related to a protest incident or vehicle-related injury, we\u2019re here to help. Our team includes former prosecutors and experienced trial attorneys who understand how to defend your rights in Arizona courts.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccd Scottsdale Office:<\/strong> \ud83d\udccd Lake Havasu City Office:<\/strong> \ud83d\udce7 Schedule a confidential consultation:<\/strong> Contact Us Online<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What you Should Know Public protests, marches, and demonstrations are a protected form of free speech in the United States\u2014but what happens when these gatherings spill onto roadways? If a driver hits a protester with their car, whether intentionally or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":27440,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,3294,3293],"tags":[3295,2563,3298,3300,3299,3296,94,3297],"class_list":["post-27438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-criminal-defense","category-legal-guides-rideout-law-group","category-vehicular-crimes-manslaughter","tag-arizona-protest-law","tag-criminal-defense-arizona","tag-crowd-control","tag-free-speech-law","tag-protest-safety","tag-protester-rights","tag-rideout-law-group","tag-vehicular-assault","post_format-post-format-image"],"yoast_head":"\n
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