4.  The applicant was born in 1949 and lives in Budapest. 5.  On 6 November 1996 criminal proceedings were instituted against the applicant. 6.  On 3 March 1997 the Budapest Public Prosecutor's Office preferred a bill of indictment, charging the applicant with having negligently caused a traffic accident. 7.  After having held three hearings and obtained the opinions of two experts, on 11 October 2001 the Pest Central District Court found the applicant guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, suspended for one year, and a fine. 8.  On appeal, on 12 February 2004 the Budapest Regional Court acquitted the applicant, after having obtained the opinion of another expert.