Jalen Carter car crash: Georgia star forced to pay $1,000 fine to curve jail time
After his potential role in the fatal car crash that took the lives of a Georgia teammate and staffer, Jalen Carter appears to have avoided major punishment. Just ahead of the NFL draft, many were wondering what the defensive lineman's future held.
According to a senior writer for The Athletic, Carter is going to have to pay a fine and do community service, among other things.
News: Jalen Carter has entered a deal with Athens-Clarke County solicitors, per his lawyer. Carter has pled no contest and will receive 12 months probation, pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours community service and finish a driving course.
Carter will receive no jail time.
Seth Emerson tweeted:
"News: Jalen Carter has entered a deal with Athens-Clarke County solicitors, per his lawyer. Carter has pled no contest and will receive 12 months probation, pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours community service and finish a driving course. Carter will receive no jail time."
However, the future first-round draft pick has avoided any jail sentencing. He will not spend any time incarcerated and his punishments will likely not impact any team that wants to draft him.
Statement from top NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter’s attorney, Kim T. Stephens, confirming Carter entered no-contest pleas to two misdemeanor charges today and saying his actions “did not cause the tragic accident” that took a teammate’s life. https://t.co/9KPsCTe0pP
Carter's attorneys released a statement after the judgment was handed down as well. They maintain that he had nothing to do with the fatal crash.
Jalen Carter mock draft: Where will the Georgia star go after avoiding arrest?
A few mock drafts had Jalen Carter being picked as high as number one when the Chicago Bears held the pick.
Now that the Carolina Panthers do, a defensive lineman won't be their selection. Nevertheless, he will probably be a high pick.
The Arizona Cardinals could draft him at number three overall since they don't need a quarterback and need help on the defensive line.
The Seattle Seahawks or Detroit Lions, either at pick five or six, respectively, could take him, too. Both teams have established quarterbacks and pretty porous defenses.
The Las Vegas Raiders could, too. Their defensive line was solid last season, but it's always good to make strengths on a roster even stronger. Chicago, now picking ninth, or the Philadelphia Eagles (10th overall) could also be interested in Jalen Carter.
Plenty of teams could use the star defensive lineman, especially now that it's clear his playing days are not over.
Character concerns might drive some teams away, but there are enough teams that could use him picking in the top 10. This suggests that Carter won't slide much farther than that.
The stock has certainly taken a hit, but it could have been much worse.