A Closer Look at Aggravated Sexual Battery in Georgia After Arrest Warrants Issued for East Point Police Officer

According to reports, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office has issued over fifteen arrest warrants for Richard Gooddine, a former East Point police officer.

Each of the warrants include allegations by different women stating inappropriate sexual contact from 2016 to 2018. The charges include aggravated sexual battery and child molestation in Georgia. 

As an Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the criminal offense of aggravated sexual battery in the state of Georgia in today's post.

Aggravated Sexual Battery in Georgia

The Georgia Code defines aggravated sexual battery in Georgia as:

A person commits aggravated sexual battery when they intentionally penetrate the sexual organ or anus of another with a foreign object without the consent of that person. O.C.G.A. §16-6-22.2.

A foreign object legally means any article or instrument other than a sexual organ. 

Aggravated battery is classified as a felony offense in Georgia. The penalty if convicted can include up to life in prison - the minimum is 25 years in prison. It also includes registering as a Sex Offender both in the state of Georgia and nationally. 

Practice Note

Sex Crimes in Georgia carry a lot of stigma - the majority of the time, people believe that the accused person is guilty from the moment they are accused of committing the crime.

However, this is not always the case. As of right now, Gooddine has been accused, but an arrest is not a conviction. There are Georgia Criminal Defenses that may apply in the case of a wrongful accusation. 

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Metro Atlanta, contact an Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney today.