Rep. Thomas Reintroduces Hit-and-Run Legislation

ATLANTA – State Representative “Able” Mable Thomas (D-Atlanta) recently reintroduced C.J.’s Law, or House Bill 88. C.J’s Law would increase penalties for hit-and-run accidents that result in fatalities or serious injuries.

“This law might not be able to bring our loved ones back, but it will serve justice for families whose lives have been destroyed by this serious offense,” said Rep. Thomas. “It is time to modernize Georgia’s statutes regarding hit-and-runs that have not been updated since 1999. I hope that this meaningful legislation encourages drivers to stop after accidents and have compassion for our families.”

Under HB 88, anyone convicted of unintentionally causing a vehicular accident that results in bodily injury and/or death of another person and leaves the scene of the accident would be guilty of a felony and could serve a sentence of one to ten years. Rep. Thomas first introduced C.J.’s Law during the 2017-2018 legislative term as HB 765.

The bill is named after Charlie Enrique Jones III, C.J., who was only 23 years old when he was the victim of a hit-and-run on Jan. 24, 2009.

To read the full text of HB 88, please click here.

For more information, please contact Rep. Thomas’ office at 404-656-6372.

 

Representative “Able” Mable Thomas represents the citizens on District 56, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1985 and again in 2002 and in 2012. She currently serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment, Natural Resources & Environment and Science and Technology committees.

 

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