William Turner, a 50 year old Georgia man, has been accused of groping and kissing a special needs student in Cobb County. The student allegedly came to his yard when she saw his dogs playing. Instead of going to school, she entered his yard.
Turner then invited the girl into his home. According to reports, he exposed the girl to pornography and offered her alcohol. Turner is facing several different charges including sexual battery.
Cobb County Schools responded to the incident by saying, “The student did not enter our building until after we had notified her parents and authorities that she had not arrived at school. We are supporting the student through this difficult time and in accordance with our policy, immediately informed Crimes Against Children and the Cobb County Police Department.”
As a Georgia Sex Crimes Attorney, I will outline the offense of sexual battery in today's post. Sex crimes in Georgia are taken very seriously - especially when the offense involves a child. As of right now, Turner is being held in the Cobb County jail.
Sexual Battery in Georgia
Just as there is battery in Georgia, there is also sexual battery. Sexual battery in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §16-6-22 as:
A person commits the offense of sexual battery when he or she intentionally makes physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person.
By law, intimate parts include the primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, buttocks, and breasts.
Most of the time, sexual battery is classified as a misdemeanor. Georgia misdemeanor penalties can include up to $1000 in fines as well as up to 12 months of jail time. However, there are situations in which the crime of sexual battery will be classified as a felony.
If the offense is made against a child under the age of 16 years old, the crime of sexual battery will be elevated to a felony. This means that the penalty can include up to 5 years in prison. Georgia felony penalties are life-altering. Felony convictions can make it nearly impossible to obtain housing, employment, or credit.
Practice Note
Sex crimes are unlike other categories of crime in Georgia. They carry extremely harsh punishments, and not to mention, how highly stigmatized the crime can be viewed by the community. A charge is not the same as a conviction. An arrest does not mean you are guilty. However, when an individual is accused of committing a sex crime, people automatically assume guilt.
We are here for you. We understand how you should be treated and can ensure that you will receive the best possible defense. Contact a Georgia Sex Crime Attorney today.
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