What is the Penalty for Shooting a Friend by Accident

[lawfacts]

A man in Illinois was showing off his handgun. A friend grabbed for the gun, not realizing that it was loaded with the safety off, and it discharged, hitting the owner in his leg. The injury was relatively minor. What charges can be filed against the friend for firing the gun?

[Mr. Knowitall]

A wide range of charges are possible, depending upon the facts and how they are interpreted by the prosecutor. Some of the possible charges would carry a high potential for jail or even prison time. The shooter should consult a criminal defense lawyer. If no charges have yet been filed, the defense lawyer may be able to convince the prosecutor to pursue a less severe charge or agree to a disposition that might allow the shooter to avoid a criminal conviction.