A misunderstanding can quickly escalate if a person feels like he or she is in immediate danger. Unfortunately, even if a person truly feels fearful and wants to protect him or herself, the situation could result in felony criminal charges if authorities believe that a person also put others in danger. In such a case, creating a meaningful criminal defense is essential to contesting the formal accusations.
It was recently reported that one man in Georgia was taken into custody after an apparent misunderstanding at a home he owned. According to reports, a group of approximately 10 people showed up at the home, which was on the market for sale. The man and his wife saw the group approach through the video camera doorbell and worried that the home was being burglarized. As a result, the man went to the home to confront the individuals.
The group stated that they had scheduled a viewing of the property and that they were taking photos for the viewing. However, the owner allegedly believed that the person’s camera was a gun, so he took the camera and threw it to the ground before pulling out a weapon himself. Authorities came to the scene and after taking statements from everyone involved, the property owner was taken into custody on the following charges:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Possession of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony
- Criminal damage to property
The man undoubtedly did not expect to face serious felony charges while trying to determine what was happening at his Georgia property. Now, he must contend with the legal ramifications of the situation and determine his best options for defending against the allegations. Gaining information on his criminal defense options may prove helpful as he prepares.