Criminal Mischief After Causing Drunken Damage
My question involves criminal law for the Province of Ontario, Canada:
2 months ago I attended a stag and doe fundraising party. I cabbed to and from the event. I drank way more than I ever have, and cannot remember the night after around midnight.
Video evidence surfaced of me throwing a beer bottle from a side-arm throw, travelling 20-25 feet and hitting a sprinkler head. The head ruptured, flooded the party hall, and caused $8,800 in damages. Fluke shot, I couldn't hit that if I tried.
I offered to pay the insurance deductible of $2500, resulting in zero costs to the partial owner. The condo corporation said this wasn't good enough, and that they wanted me to pay the full amounts outside of insurance to cover their costs. They waited 3 weeks to press criminal charges- telling me that if I pay the full amount no charges would be pressed. I refused to pay the full amount- isn't this what insurance is for?
Police called me, told me I was being charged. I have a court date with a judge and a day to go in for fingerprinting.
A little about myself:
-Occupation: Medical Sales in the Operating Room (I attend surgeries and provide technical help to surgeons.)
-Volunteer firefighter
-Canadian red cross CPR/AED instructor
-After school tutor for an 8yr old Indian child in English and mathematics.
-No previous charges/criminal record
My concerns:
-There is no victim, so why am I being charged? I have offered to pay the deductible.
-If I receive a record (or even public charge) all of my jobs are lost. This is a bullet to my brain.
-I pay a 2k per month mortgage, and approx $500 in bills in addition. I cannot afford to pay the 8.8k!
-The condo corp. tried to extort me for 3 weeks before pressing charges. My lawyer at the time asked the clear question: "if my client pays all damages- will you press charges?" The president replied "no". Now that I'm being charged the officer mentioned deterrance. I've already paid 2.5k in legal fees, many sleepless nights, and I no longer drink hard alcohol. I've learned my lesson, believe me.
What can I do... anyone?
Re: Criminal Mischeif -> Drunken Damage Worth $8,800
This forum only deals with U.S. law. Sorry.