Former NFL Linebacker Accused of Aggravated Assault in Georgia

Henry County released reports of the arrest of Greg Lloyd, a former NFL star, for threatening his wife with a handgun after an alleged domestic dispute. 

Lloyd was arrested a week after the July 20th incident and is now facing charges of aggravated assault in Georgia. 

A Henry County judge has granted Lloyd's wife with a Georgia restraining order prohibiting Lloyd from getting within 200 yards of her. According to reports, Lloyd is denying all allegations. However, this is not the first time that Lloyd has been accused of pointing a gun at someone. In 2001, Lloyd was arrested for allegedly sticking a gun in his son's mouth. But the trial in that case ended in a hung jury. 

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, it is always important for me to point out that just because you have been accused of committing a crime - does not mean you are guilty of committing that particular crime. Moreover, just because you have committed or have been arrested for committing a crime in the past does not make you guilty of a present crime. 

In today's post, I will outline the criminal offense of aggravated assault in our state and the penalty if convicted. 

Aggravated Assault in Georgia

In order to understand aggravated assault, the law behind assault in Georgia should be examined first:

When a person attempts to commit a violent injury to the person of another or commits an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a violent injury. O.C.G.A. §16-5-20. 

Therefore, the heightened offense of aggravated assault in Georgia is defined by law as:

When a person assaults with intent to murder, to rape, or to rob; with a deadly weapon or with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury; with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in strangulation; or without legal justification by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle toward a person or persons. O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21. 

Aggravated assault is classified as a felony. An aggravated assault conviction can include the penalty of a prison sentence of one to twenty years. 

If you or a loved one has been accused of committing a crime in Georgia, contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney today.