Savannah Battery Defense Attorneys

Protecting Your Rights Is Our Priority

Georgia laws address assault and battery as separate and distinct offenses. Both of these crimes are then further specified as simple or aggravated, with simple assault or battery charges regarded as misdemeanors. For aggravated assault or battery, however, the accused person could face a felony charge.

Schneider Lerch, LLC has the skill and practice necessary to effectively fight your simple or aggravated battery charge. Our Savannah battery defense lawyers are dedicated to tirelessly fighting your case and working towards maintaining your freedom.

Call (912) 417-5008 or reach out here online today to schedule a free consultation.

What Is Battery?

Georgia laws define battery as the act of intentionally causing significant and visible bodily harm to another person. To prove battery, the prosecution must show that the defendant inflicted the injuries and had the intent to make physical contact and thus injure the person.

Battery charges are filed when it is alleged that another person suffered substantial physical harm in an attack. The injuries that could lead to a battery charge include facial injuries such as swollen lips, black eyes, or bruising to the body. A first offense could be filed as a misdemeanor, but this decision will be made by the prosecutor based on the extent of the victim’s injuries as well as the accused’s criminal record.

Simple battery is considered any act where an individual deliberately made physical contact with the intent to provoke or cause harm. To become aggravated battery, the individual must exhibit malicious intent to hurt another individual in a way causing serious and lasting injury, such as the loss of a limb, disfigurement, or paralysis.

What Are the Penalties for Simple Battery & Battery in Georgia?

Even for simple battery charges in Georgia, a person could endure strict punishments. For a misdemeanor battery case, they could face:

• Up to a year in jail
• Up to $1,000 in fines
• Restitution payments
• If the offender is charged with an aggravated battery:
• They could face 1-20 years in prison in addition to fines and restitution payments.

These consequences may grow in severity depending on the specific details of the case. 

For example, family violence battery cases garner punishments of between one to five years for repeat offenders. To be considered family violence battery, the harm must be inflicted upon spouses or ex-spouses, parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, foster parents or children, or anyone else residing in the same household as the offender.

A second conviction for battery against the same victim will carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days and as long as 1 year in jail and fines up to $1,000. A third battery charge against the same person will be filed as a felony. 

There are two sides to every story, and we want to hear from you about what occurred. Our Savannah battery defense attorneys can be reached by calling (912) 417-5008 or by using our online contact form. Free initial consultations are available.

Is Simple Battery a Felony in Georgia?

According to Georgia Code Section 16-5-23, simple battery is typically classified as a misdemeanor offense, not a felony. Simple battery involves intentionally making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another person, or intentionally causing physical harm to another person. Examples of simple battery include pushing, slapping, or punching another person.

Under Georgia law, simple battery is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, certain aggravating factors can elevate a simple battery charge to a felony offense. For example, if the battery is committed against a police officer, a person over the age of 65, or a pregnant woman, it can be charged as a felony.

Additionally, if the battery causes serious injury to the victim or is committed with a deadly weapon, it can also be charged as a felony offense. The penalties for felony battery in Georgia can vary depending on the circumstances of the offense but can include several years in prison and significant fines.

Helpful Resources

• Georgia Code Section 16-5-23 on Simple Battery
• State Bar of Georgia

How Much Is Bond for Simple Battery in Georgia?

Simple battery is a misdemeanor offense under Georgia law and usually requires a bond to be posted before the defendant can be released from jail. The amount of the bond depends on factors such as the circumstances of the case, past criminal record, and any other relevant factors. Generally, the average bond for a simple battery in Georgia is around $1000.

What Are Aggravating Factors for a Battery Charge?

When facing battery charges in Georgia, it's important to understand the aggravating factors that can increase the severity of the offense and potential penalties. Our Savannah battery defense attorneys have extensive experience defending clients against battery charges and can help you navigate the legal system.

Some common aggravating factors that may be considered in a battery case include:

• Use of a deadly weapon
• Causing serious bodily harm
• Assaulting a police officer or other authority figure
• Committing the offense in the presence of a child

If any of these factors are present in your case, it's crucial to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. We can work to build a strong defense strategy to minimize the potential consequences and protect your rights.

Further Aggravating Factors for Battery

Even misdemeanor battery charges can be made more severe for a variety of reasons. Battery convictions of a high or aggravated nature can result from:

• Battery that occurred in a public transportation vehicle or station
• Battery against a pregnant female
• Battery against anyone 65 or older
• Battery against a sports official of an amateur contest

While these cases maintain the same one-year sentence, they result in potential fines of up to $5,000.

What If You’re Facing Charges for Battery Against a Teacher or Elderly Person?

If it is alleged that a teacher or other employee in an educational facility was injured, you can face fines as high as $10,000 and up to five years in state prison. If the battery is alleged to have been committed against a resident of a long-term care facility, the crime will carry punishments including up to $2,000 in fines and five years in prison. 

A battery offense involving an elderly person over 65 is a serious matter in Georgia. If it is alleged that the battery was committed against a person officiating at any amateur sports event, there will be heavier penalties. These charges are filed as aggravated battery.

How to Get a Simple Battery Charged Dropped

In some cases, you may have a charge of a simple battery dropped. However, this is not always possible, as the decision to drop the charges typically lies with the prosecuting attorney. To increase your chances of having the charge dropped, consider seeking legal counsel and mounting a defense that demonstrates either no evidence or insufficient evidence for a conviction. You should also gather evidence demonstrating mitigating circumstances, such as self-defense or mutual combat.

Get the adept defense against battery charges that you need by calling Schneider Lerch, LLC or just reaching out here online.

What Defenses Are Available for Battery Charges?

Some ways we will look to defend you are by attempting to prove that:

• There was no actual contact between you and the alleged victim.
• You acted in self-defense against an unlawful force or harm, were reasonably worried about injury to yourself, did not provoke the threat, and could not have escaped the threat.
• You acted to defend others who you believed were in significant danger of being harmed.
• You did not intend to injure or commit battery.

Additionally, we can fight to show your innocence by recruiting relevant alibis or witnesses to contest your lack of involvement. Every case is unique and requires an individualized defense strategy. Schneider Lerch, LLC provides the level of personalization necessary to combat the charge against you as effectively as possible. Get started with a free case review with one of our attorneys.

We Can Put More Than a Decade of Experience To Work for You

At Schneider Lerch, LLC, you can expect the highest level of professionalism and skill. You may not be guilty, or you may have been acting in self-defense. No matter what happened, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney. 

Call (912) 417-5008 now to schedule a free, confidential consultation.