Jaywalking mom gets probation in hit-and-run case

Updated at 12:55 p.m. ET: Raquel Nelson appeared happy as she left the court and thanked those who helped and supported her, the Associated Press reports. "I'm walking out of here. I don't feel like I can be more satisfied," she says. "I'm ready to go home."

She was sentenced to probation and 40 hours of community service.

Updated at 11:35 a.m. ET: A Georgia mother got one year's probation in connection with the death of her 4-year-old son who was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a busy street, WXIA reports.

In an unusual move, the judge offered her the option of having another trial. She was convicted this month of homicide by vehicle in the second degree, jaywalking and reckless conduct for trying to cross a four-lane road with her children in Marietta, Ga.

Her attorney David Savoy says they will take the judge up on the offer of a new trial.

Original post: A Georgia mother, whose 4-year-old son was killed by a hit-and-run driver, could get more jail time today for jaywalking and reckless conduct than the driver of the car, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports

Raquel Nelson, 30, has been convicted of homicide by vehicle in the second degree, jaywalking and reckless conduct for trying to cross a four-lane road in Cobb County with her three children after getting off a bus.

Jerry Guy, the driver of the car, pleaded guilty to hit-and-run and served six months in jail. He will remain on probation for five years, WXIA Atlanta reports.

Nelson told the Today show that the nearest crosswalk was a third of a mile from the bus stop and she was trying to cross the road before it turned dark.

She says she has accepted that the driver, who was convicted of a similar charge in 1997, had served his time, saying nobody intends to kill a 4-year-old.

But she says for her to face an even stiffer penalty than his "is a slap in the face."