Have you Been Charged with Serious Injury by Vessel in Georgia?
Georgia has numerous lakes that thousands of people visit every year. Boating activities are very popular and with the increase of people flocking to the lakes, it makes it more dangerous for people to be on the water. Multiple deaths occur every year on the lake and the penalties for not following Georgia Boating Laws can be substantial. If you or a loved one has been charged with serious injury by vessel in Georgia, you need representation. The Attorneys at Lawson and Berry have over twenty five years of criminal defense experience and are ready to assist with your case today! Don't wait; contact our offices today.
Serious Injury by Vessel in Georgia
O.C.G.A. §52-7-12.4 governs serious injury by vessel in Georgia and states:
Whoever, without malice, shall cause bodily harm to another by depriving him or her of a member of his or her body by rendering a member of his or her body useless, by seriously disfiguring his or her body or a member thereof, or by causing organic brain damage which renders the body or any member thereof useless through the violation of subsection (j) of Code Section 52-7-8.2 or Code Section 52-7-12 or Code Section 52-7-12.1 or subsection (b) of Code Section 52-7-13 or subsection (a) of Code Section 52-7-14 or subsection (c) of Code Section 52-7-25 shall be guilty of the crime of serious injury by vessel.
Penalty for a Conviction of Serious Injury by Vessel
A person convicted under this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a prison term between one and five years. The defendant will also lose their boating privileges for three years. However, felony convictions extend beyond the lake. Having a felony conviction on your record can make it difficult to find housing, obtain employment, or obtain credit. To ensure you receive the best defense possible, contact our Georgia Serious Injury by Vessel Attorneys today.
Defenses to Serious Injury by Vessel in Georgia
There are multiple arguments your Serious Injury by Vessel Lawyer can make to protect you. You may think there is nothing that can be done but that couldn't be further from the truth. Some examples of arguments your Attorney could use:
- Whether or not you were in the boundaries of the boating safety zone
- What speed you were going
- Were you guilty of one of the predicate offenses
This is not an exhaustive list of the defenses that could apply to your case, so contact our office today to receive a free case evaluation!
Contact Us Today
Our Serious Injury by Boat Lawyers understand the gravity of being charged with serious injury by vessel and are here to help you. Don't take a chance and try to represent yourself because boating crimes come with severe penalties. Our office is open 24/7 including nights, weekends, and holidays. Contact us today!
