In Georgia, certain crimes of violence such as Battery or Aggravated Assault are punished more severely if the victim is a family member or a person living in the same household. In addition, some misdemeanors, such as Battery, can be elevated to a felony offense for repeat offenders. If you have been charged with a family violence offense, you need an experienced attorney to make sure your voice is heard.
More often than not, when the police respond to a domestic violence call, someone is going to jail. Law enforcement has a public safety concern and will not leave both parties together after a domestic violence call; even if the victim says he or she doesn’t want to press charges. This is especially true if there are children involved.
In addition to fines and probation, a conviction for Family Violence Battery requires completion of the Family Violence Intervention Program. This is a 26 week class that is mandatory by law. Failure to complete the program or missing any classes is a violation of probation and could result in jail time.
Michael Fulcher has handled hundreds of family violence cases through pre-trial diversion, plea negotiations and jury trials. These types of cases can have dramatic and long-term effects on the person charged – and their family. Some employers will not hire a person with a family violence conviction and the Division of Family & Children Services (DFACS) may conduct their own investigation after a report is filed.
An experienced domestic violence attorney can gather information about the incident, talk to witnesses, and present alternative resolutions to the prosecutor that can reduce or even dismiss the original charges. We handle all types of Family Violence offenses, including:
- Family Violence Battery
- Aggravated Assault / Aggravated Battery
- Cruelty to Children
- Stalking / Aggravated Stalking
- Terroristic Threats
- Criminal Trespass
- Simple Assault / Simple Battery
- Violation of a Temporary Protective Order
If you have been charged with one of these offenses in Morgan, Greene, Putnam, Jasper, Newton, Walton, Gwinnett, or Oconee counties, don’t fight this fight alone. Contact Michael Fulcher Law today.