Everyone makes mistakes. That’s just a fact of life. However, some mistakes have more serious consequences than others. One Georgia man is finding this out, as he faces the possibility of spending a year behind bars for an accident that injured his wife. He needs a good criminal defense attorney.
A 37-year-old man and his wife visited a gas station to refuel their vehicle when an incident occurred. According to reports, the man had a cigarette lighter in hand and was playing with it while he was pumping case. All of a sudden, flames erupted and shot toward the man’s wife who was standing nearby. Surveillance footage shows that the man immediately tried to pull the gas nozzle out of his vehicle. Unfortunately, the woman suffered burn injuries as a result of the incident and the man is now needing a criminal defense attorney.
In response to the incident, police have pursued criminal charges against the man for reckless conduct, which is a misdemeanor. If the man is convicted, he could spend up to a year in prison and be forced to pay a substantial fine. Reports do not indicate when the trial is expected to move forward.
As a result of something that was accidental, the man could spend a significant amount of time behind bars. Even though the man had no intention of harming his wife, authorities pressed that could dramatically alter the couple’s life together.
Knowing that there is surveillance footage of this incident, some might not think that the man has any legal options. Regardless of the circumstances behind criminal charges, accused individuals are entitled to a defense. Right off the bat, it’s important to determine whether or not charges filed by authorities are justified. Beyond that, a defense team can help ensure that the criminal process remains fair at all times and work toward resolving a case in the most positive way possible.
Source: CNN, “Cigarette lighter gas pump fire leads to criminal charge,” David Simpson, Nov. 3, 2013