Glider Boy 1 as a person interested in aviation and making a remark as to how a pilot could ever be held criminally responsible wishes to be informed about the matter.
Here are two incidents which may offer some explanation and clarity to him.
Gol Lineas Aeras 737 Brazil mid air with a Embraer Legacy in 2006. The pilots of the Legacy were convicted on criminal charges.
The sad case of Captain Glen Stewart`s criminal conviction as a result of the incident on approach to Heathrow in 1989.
Both the above are well documented and full details are available on the internet.
Pilots, both private and professional, flying for recreational purpose or hire and reward carry a heavy burden of responsibility. It is a well known and often spoken proverb that flying whilst being the safest mode of transport is also the least forgiving of error of any kind whatsoever.