Marietta Mother Avoids Jail Time for Not Using Crosswalk in Hit-and-Run DUI Case in Which Son was Killed

A story from over a decade ago still serves as a reminder to Marietta criminal defendants that defending the charges against them in court is important, and reduced sentences, avoiding jail time, and even being acquitted is possible with a good and strong defense. According to local news reports reporting on the groundbreaking-at-the-time story, a Marietta mother was charged with multiple criminal charges after her own 4-year-old son was hit and killed as he crossed the street by a drunk hit-and-run driver. The terrible and unfortunate accident occurred back in the fall of 2011. The reasoning behind charging the grieving Marietta mother with the death of her own son? The pair had crossed the street not using a crosswalk.
In the first criminal trial against the Marietta mother, she was convicted of the charges against her – including vehicular homicide and failure to use a crosswalk. However, the judge presiding over the case against her made an unusual move during her sentencing. Although she faced up to three years in jail for the accident, as well as other consequences, the judge in the case sentenced her to 12 months’ probation on each charge, as well as 40 hours of community service. In addition, the judge offered the grieving Marietta mother a new trial. Of the confusing and seemingly very unjust case in which a mother faced a greater sentence than the criminal defendant who ultimately killed her child, then fled, the Marietta mother said, “I am walking out of here. I don’t think you could be more satisfied.” She explained the day of the accident, stating, “The rest of the people that had gotten off the bus with us had started to cross and my son let go of my hand…I ran out in the street and tried to grab him. He and my daughter and I were hit, and he … died from his injuries.” She also added, prior to her sentencing, “The fact that there was actually a charge was shocking…And then later being convicted, that was even more shocking.”
Beating the Criminal Charges Against You in Marietta Criminal Court
It is important for criminal defendants in Marietta to understand that they are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Under Georgia laws, Marietta criminal defendants have the right to be represented by an experienced Marietta criminal defense lawyer to help them beat the criminal charges against them and get justice in their cases.
The experienced Marietta criminal defense lawyers at Arca Law are here to help individuals who have been charged with criminal offenses get justice in criminal court. They can help by listening to your story and seeing if they can fight for you in the State’s case against you. If you are in the Marietta area and you need legal help with your Marietta criminal case, do not hesitate to speak to an experienced lawyer today. Contact the experienced Marietta criminal defense lawyers at Arca Law and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
abcnews.go.com/US/mother-boy-killed-hit-run-driver-probation-community/story?id=14158040