Augusta Man Sentenced to 140 Years in Prison

According to reports out of Augusta, a man has been convicted of driving his vehicle into a local restaurant.

Prosecutors stated that he used to work at the restaurant. Once he drove into the local restaurant, he threw buckets of diesel, propane, and gasoline.

He was convicted of aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and arson in Georgia.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the law behind criminal damage to property in the state of Georgia.

Criminal Damage to Property in Georgia

Criminal Damage to Property is broken down by Georgia Law into two different degrees. 

First Degree Criminal Damage to Property in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-7-22 as:

A person commits the offense of criminal damage to property in the first degree when he:

(1) Knowingly and without authority interferes with any property in a manner so as to endanger human life; or

(2) Knowingly and without authority and by force or violence interferes with the operation of any system of public communication, public transportation, sewerage, drainage, water supply, gas, power, or other public utility service or with any constituent property thereof.

First degree criminal damage to property is classified in Georgia as a felony offense. This means that if a person is convicted of first degree criminal damage to property, then he or she is facing anywhere from one to ten years in prison.

Second Degree Criminal Damage to Property in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-7-23 as:

A person commits the offense of criminal damage to property in the second degree when he:

(1) Intentionally damages any property of another person without his consent and the damage thereto exceeds $500.00; or

(2) Recklessly or intentionally, by means of fire or explosive, damages property of another person.

Second degree criminal damage to property is classified in Georgia as a felony offense as well. However, if a person is convicted of second degree criminal damage to property, then he or she is facing anywhere from one to five years in prison.

Practice Note

Even though the defendant was found guilty as well as mentally ill, he was sentenced to 140 years in prison. Georgia Felony Punishments can result in some very serious prison time.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a felony offense - contact us now. A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney can help you with your case today.