Sex Crimes in Georgia
Many people automatically associate sex crimes with Law and Order SVU, but in reality, some people are wrongfully charged and do not receive a fair chance because people deem them guilty from the beginning. The attorneys at Lawson and Berry have over 50 combined years of criminal law experience and are here to help you. Our Lawyers genuinely care for you and want to make sure you receive a fair trial. The sex crime penalties are severe so it is important to hire a Sex Crime Attorney in Georgia from Lawson and Berry in order to get the best defense. Let our experience work for you! Don't wait because you and your loved one's future depends on it. For more information, please visit our frequently asked questions about Georgia sex crimes. We try to provide you with answers to the questions we repeatedly hear from clients. After visiting out page, please call us and schedule a free consultation.
Sex Crimes in Georgia Include:
Aggravated Child Molestation: Aggravated child molestation occurs when a person commits an offense of child molestation and the act physically injures the child or involves an act of sodomy. Child molestation requires that the victim is under 16 years of age. Aggravated child molestation comes with heavy penalties in Georgia.
Aggravated Sexual Battery: Aggravated sexual battery is a serious crime that requires the expertise of an experienced sex crime lawyer in Georgia. The penalties include lengthy prison terms with probation for life.
Aggravated Sodomy: Aggravated sodomy occurs when a person commits sodomy with force and against the will of the other person. Even if the force used was minimal, that could be enough for a person to be convicted. It is crucial to obtain a Georgia Sex Crimes Attorney to help defend your case.
Atlanta Sex Crime Attorney: Sex crimes are a common offense in Atlanta. It is critical to hire a lawyer that works in Atlanta courts every day. Kimberly Berry has the experience you need to be successful in your case.
Bestiality and Necrophilia: In Georgia, bestiality occurs when a person engages in a sexual act with an animal. Necrophilia is when a person performs a sexual act with a dead human body. If convicted of either crime, it will be considered a felony conviction.
Bigamy and Marrying a Bigamist: There are two crimes associated with marrying more than one person in Georgia: bigamy and marrying a bigamist. Bigamy occurs when a person gets married knowing that they are married. It is also a crime for a person to marry a bigamist when they know that they are already married.
Child Hearsay Statute in Georgia: Hearsay is generally not admissible in court. However, there are some exceptions when a child has made statements to certain individuals.
Child Molestation: The crime of child molestation carries significative negative connotations in our community. Child molestation occurs when a person performs an immoral or indecent act with a child under the age of 16. This can be done in person or by using an electronic device.
Child Witness Testimony in Georgia Sex Crime Cases: Recent Georgia laws have established an exception for children to openly testifying in court against their alleged offender. In certain situations, children can testify via a closed circuit tv.
Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes: Enticing a child for indecent purposes occurs when a person under the age of 16 for the purpose of child molestation or indecent acts. One of the elements of enticing a child is that the child is taken to a place for the purpose of indecent acts of child molestation. The taking can be accomplished through persuasion, bribery, or force.
Entrapment Defense in Georgia Sex Crime Cases: Entrapment is a type of affirmative defense. Arguing entrapment does not mean that the accused did not commit a crime; instead, it states that they were induced to commit a crime they would not have on their own.
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender: Registering as a sex offender is a mandatory requirement after being convicted of a sexually based crime. After a person is released from prison or after they move, they have 72 hours to notify the county in which they are moving. Failure to register as a sex offender will be punished by a lengthy prison term.
Georgia's Rape Shield Law: Under Georgia's rape shield law, evidence relating to a victim's past sexual behavior is generally inadmissible. However, there are some exceptions to this rule and certain evidence may be allowed.
Georgia Sex Crime Laws: Georgia's sex crime statutes outline harsh punishments. The outcome of your case depends on your lawyer's knowledge of the sex crime laws in Georgia and their criminal defense experience. Lawson and Berry represent people everyday charged with sex crimes and have over 50 combined years of experience dedicated to criminal defense.
Georgia Sex Crimes Attorney: When hiring a sex crime attorney in Georgia, it is critical to hire someone who specializes in criminal defense. General practitioners do not have the expertise your case requires in order to get you the best outcome.
Giving Massages in Places: In Georgia, it is illegal for a masseuse or masseur to use a place for the purpose of lewdness, prostitution, or masturbation for hire. If found guilty of violating this statute, the offender will be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Harboring, Concealing, or Withholding Information Concerning a Sexual Offender: There are three ways a person can violate this law in Georgia. No matter which way the offender has violated Georgia law, it will be a felony conviction.
Incest: Incest is one of the more well known sexually based crimes. It occurs when a person engages in sexual relations with a relative. However, what people are not always aware of is that the relative can be either a blood relative or someone related by marriage.
Internet Sex Crimes: Crimes that occur using the internet are relatively newer but their punishments are harsh. There are numerous sex crimes that can be committed over the internet including child pornography, obscene internet contact with a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Keeping a Place of Prostitution: Keeping a place of prostitution requires that the accused exercise control over a location, maintain it for prostitution, and that prostitution is actually practiced in the house. A lack of any of these factors will result in the dismissal of the charges.
Masturbation for Hire: Masturbation for hire occurs when a person erotically stimulates the genital organs of another for money or consideration. A person convicted under this statute will be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Pandering: In Georgia, pandering can occur in multiple ways. Ultimately, it happens when a person solicits an act of prostitution. It can be for yourself or another person.
Pimping: Pimping is a related crime to prostitution. Sex crimes carry intense punishments and it is important to hire a Georgia Sex Crime Lawyer today. Pimping can occur in a multitude of ways and there are hundreds of defenses that could apply to your case.
Prostitution: Prostitution occurs when a person offers to perform sexual intercourse for money. The act of sexual intercourse does not have to be completed. The initial offer will be sufficient for a conviction.
Public Indecency: There are four ways a person can engage in indecent conduct in a public place. No matter which way, it will be considered a misdemeanor. However, a third or subsequent conviction will result in a felony conviction.
Publication of Name of a Rape Victim: Rape victims are entitled to some privacy under the laws o Georgia. Therefore, it is illegal for a person to publish the name of a rape victim through different media sources. While there are some exceptions, the Court believes there is a legitimate interest in protecting the identity of rape victims.
Obtaining Psychological or Psychiatric Records in Georgia Sex Crime Cases: In most circumstances, communications between psychologists and patients are privileged. However, sometimes records can be admitted into evidence.
Rape: Rape is one of the most heavily penalized sexually based crimes. A person convicted of raping a victim will be guilty of a felony. Under Georgia law, rape occurs when a person has carnal knowledge of a female against her will.
Sexual Assault by Persons with Supervisory of Disciplinary Authority: This crime occurs when a person who has supervisory or disciplinary authority over another individual engages in sexual contact with them.
Sexual Battery: Many people are familiar with the crime of battery but have not heard of sexual battery. Under Georgia law, sexual battery occurs when he or she intentionally makes physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person without their consent. Sexual battery can be treated as a felony or a misdemeanor of a high or aggravated nature. It is in your best interest to hire a Sex Crime Lawyer in Georgia if you have been charged with sexual battery.
Solicitation of Sodomy: Solicitation of sodomy occurs when a person solicits another to perform or submit to an act of sodomy. This crime will be charged as a misdemeanor in Georgia.
Sodomy: The crime of sodomy refers to when he or she performs or submits to any sexual act involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another. This law does not apply to consensual or private acts between legally consenting adults.
Statutory Rape: Statutory rape occurs when a person engages in sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years old. It does not require that any element of force is used to be a crime. It is a strict liability crime meaning the only thing that matters is the ages of the accused and the alleged victim.
Penalty for a Conviction for Sex Crimes in Georgia
A conviction for sexually based crimes carries significant penalties. In addition to any prison time or fines, a person that is over 21 years of age that is convicted of a sex crime must register as a sex offender with the state of Georgia for life. A registered sex offender faces obstacles such as obtaining a job, housing, or going certain places in the community.
Defenses to Sex Crimes in Georgia
The most important thing when hiring a criminal defense attorney if charged with a sex crime is to ensure the lawyer has extensive experience with Georgia sex crime laws. While each crime has specific defenses that apply to it; there are some defenses that generally apply to sex crimes in Georgia including:
Consent: If both adults were consenting and the action occurred in a private place, then that act does not fall under the statute, and one of our Attorneys can help get your case dismissed.
Mistake of Age: Aggravated sodomy can occur with a person who is less than ten years of age. If the Court is incorrect about the age of the victim, then you should seek to correct the error and potentially ask for a lesser charge.
My case does not fall under the statute: If you can demonstrate that the sexual act was committed between two consenting adults or that the act was committed in private, that could help in getting your case dismissed.
This is not an extensive list of the defenses that could be used in your case. These are just some of the defenses your Georgia Sex Crime Lawyer will evaluate to see if they apply. Every case is different and our Sex Crime Lawyers in Georgia will work with you to provide the best defense. That is why it is vital to call an Atlanta Sex Crimes Attorney at Lawson and Berry to speak with them about your specific case.
We Can Help
A conviction for a sex crime carries significant penalties now and throughout your future. Don't try to represent yourself and risk subjecting yourself to the consequences. Let Lawson and Berry and their team of experienced Georgia Sex Crime Attorneys assist you with your case. Contact us from the very beginning so we can start preparing the best defense.
