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The Statute of Limitations in Georgia

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The statute of limitations means how long the State has to bring charges against an individual after a crime has been committed (not how long the state has to actually try the case). In Georgia, there are several categories of crimes that determine the length of the statute of limitations:

  • Murder- none
  • Other felonies punishable by death or life imprisonment- 7 years
  • Forcible rape- 15 years
  • Offenses of armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery when DNA evidence is used to establish the ID of the accused – none
  • Trafficking a person for sexual servitude, cruelty to children in the first degree, rape, aggravated sodomy, child molestation or aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, or incest against children less than 16 years old committed on and after July 1, 2012- none
  • Other felonies- 4 years
  • Felonies committed against victims less than 18 years old- 7 years
  • Misdemeanors- 2 years

The statute of limitations is “tolled” (or suspended) until the crime becomes known. This means that the clock does not start running until the crime is known. The state often argues that the crime becomes “known” when the state becomes aware of the charges (i.e. a victim reports the crime to authorities). However, a recent Georgia Supreme Court decision, State v. Jones (case cite: S22A0425), clarifies this issue. The Georgia Supreme Court held in Jones held that a crime becomes known, and thus the statute of limitations begins running, when the crime is known to the victim. This means that if a victim waits until the statute of limitations has run out, charges may not be brought. The Court cites their earlier decision in Harper v. State saying that ““the actual knowledge of a crime victim about the crime is imputed to the State for purposes of applying the tolling provision”, and that “the correct date to apply in analyzing the statute of limitation is the date that the crime became known to the victim of the crime.”  Another decision, Womack v. State clearly says that “it seems to be well settled that . . . the knowledge of the victim is the knowledge of the State . . . .”

If you believe that you have been charged with a crime outside of the statute of limitations in Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Cobb or Clayton Counties, it is important that you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the nuances of the law. At the Law Office of W. Scott Smith, our attorneys will leave no stone unturned to ensure that charges brought against our clients are legal. If you need representation for any criminal offense, call our offices at 404-581-0999.

Georgia Criminal Law – Justification as a Defense

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As an affirmative defense, the fact that a person’s conduct is justified under the law is a defense to prosecution for any crime based on that conduct. The defense of justification can be claimed:

(1) When the person’s conduct is justified under Code Section 16-3-21, 16-3-23, 16-3-24, 16-3-25, or 16-3-26;

(2) When the person’s conduct is in reasonable fulfillment of his duties as a government officer or employee;

(3) When the person’s conduct is the reasonable discipline of a minor by his parent or a person in loco parentis;

(4) When the person’s conduct is reasonable and is performed in the course of making a lawful arrest;

(5) When the person’s conduct is justified for any other reason under the laws of this state, including as provided in Code Section 51-1-29; or

(6) In all other instances which stand upon the same footing of reason and justice as those enumerated in this article.

Raising an Affirmative Defense

With respect to any affirmative defense authorized under Georgia law, unless the state’s evidence raises the issue invoking the alleged defense, the defendant, to raise the issue, must present evidence of an affirmative defense. See O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3(1).

In order to raise an affirmative defense, a criminal defendant need not “admit” anything, in the sense of acknowledging that any facts alleged in the indictment or accusation are true. Rather, in asserting an affirmative defense, a defendant may accept certain facts as true for the sake of argument, and the defendant may do so for the limited purpose of raising the specific affirmative defense at issue. A defendant is entitled to a requested jury instruction regarding an affirmative defense when at least slight evidence supports the theory of the charge, whether in the state’s evidence or evidence presented by the defendant, and regardless of whether the theory of the affirmative defense conflicts with any other theory being advanced by the defendant.

Deadly Force by Law Enforcement Officers

Georgia’s statute on the use of deadly force provides that law enforcement agents may use deadly force to apprehend a suspected felon only (1) when the officer reasonably believes that the suspect possesses a deadly weapon or any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury; (2) when the officer reasonably believes that the suspect poses an immediate threat of physical violence to the officer or others; or (3) when there is probable cause to believe that the suspect has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical harm. This statute does not prevent sheriffs or peace officers from using reasonable nondeadly force as may be necessary to apprehend and arrest a suspected felon or misdemeanant.

Good Samaritan Defense

In 2014, there were numerous incidents where children, who were left inside hot, locked motor vehicles, were injured or died. In order to encourage the rescue of children in these situations, the General Assembly made it clear with the amendment of O.C.G.A. § 16-3-20(5) in 2015 that individuals who damaged and entered such motor vehicles in order to rescue children from injury or death would be justified in doing so and would have a defense to criminal prosecution.

Restitution for Criminal Offenses under Georgia Law

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What is Restitution?

Simply put, restitution is money paid by an offender to compensate a victim for harm caused by the offender’s unlawful acts. Restitution is a primary concern of the criminal justice system. O.C.G.A. § 17-14-1. Restitution includes all damages recoverable in a civil action except punitive damages and damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of consortium. O.C.G.A. § 17-14-2(2).

The Restitution Hearing

Under O.C.G.A. § 17-14-3 and O.C.G.A. § 17-14-7, a sentencing judge may order a defendant to pay restitution to the victim of his crime following a negotiated plea or restitution hearing.

At the restitution hearing the State has the burden of proving the specific amount of the victim’s loss by a preponderance of the evidence. The defendant bears the burden of proving their ability to pay (defendant’s financial resources). O.C.G.A. § 17-14-7(b).

Specifically, the Court looks to 8 factors when analyzing the defendant’s ability to pay restitution:

  • The financial resources and other assets of the offender or person ordered to pay restitution including whether any of the assets are jointly controlled;
  • The earnings and other income of the offender or person ordered to pay restitution;
  • Any financial obligations of the offender or person ordered to pay restitution, including obligations to dependents;
  • The amount of damages;
  • The goal of restitution to the victim and the goal of rehabilitation of the offender;
  • Any restitution previously made;
  • The period of time during which the restitution order will be in effect; and
  • Other factors which the ordering authority deems to be appropriate.

O.C.G.A. § 17-14-10.

If more than one offender has contributed to the loss of a victim, the court may make each offender liable for payment of the full amount of restitution or apportion liability amongst offenders. O.C.G.A. § 17-14-7(c).

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been arrested, contact the law firm of W. Scott Smith at 404.581.0999 today for a free case evaluation. You’ll find a local Atlanta attorney ready to aggressively fight on your behalf. You can also find out more detailed information about Atlanta laws here.

 

 

 

Serious Violent Felonies under Georgia Law

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Georgia law provides for the most serious violent offenses known as the “Seven Deadly Sins.” These are the most heinous crimes in our society and, as such, have specialized punishment including mandatory minimum punishment and limited eligibility for parole. This article will list the serious violent felonies as proscribed by law and detail the punishment surrounding them.

Seven Deadly Sins

O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(a) lists the “Serious Violent Felonies” in Georgia criminal law:

  • Murder, Felony Murder
  • Armed Robbery
  • Kidnapping
  • Rape
  • Aggravated Child Molestation
  • Aggravated Sodomy
  • Aggravated Sexual Battery

If convicted of any of these offenses, the sentencing court is required to impose no less than the statutory minimum sentences of imprisonment. O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(b).

Mandatory Minimum Sentences of Imprisonment

10 years imprisonment

  • Armed Robbery
  • Kidnapping (victim 14 years or older)

25 years (followed by probation for life)

  • Kidnapping (victim under 14)
  • Rape
  • Aggravated Child Molestation
  • Aggravated Sodomy
  • Aggravated Sexual Battery

Life

  • Murder, Felony Murder

 

Eligible for Parole?

  • Defendants sentenced to 10 years confinement must serve all 10 years and is not eligible for parole
  • Defendants sentenced to 25 years confinement must serve all 25 years without possibility of parole
  • Defendants sentenced to Life is parole eligible after 30 years
  • Defendants sentenced to death whose sentences is commuted to life is parole eligible after 30 years
  • Defendants sentenced to life without parole will never receive parole

O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(c)(1) – (4).

First Offender Treatment is not available to any of the Serious Violent Felonies.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been arrested, contact the law firm of W. Scott Smith at 404.581.0999 today for a free case evaluation. You’ll find a local Atlanta attorney ready to aggressively fight on your behalf. You can also find out more detailed information about Atlanta laws here.

 

 

 

 

Understanding Computer Trespass Crimes in Georgia

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By Mary Agramonte

 

In response to a growing number of computer-related crimes in both the government and private sectors, the State of Georgia enacted the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act, O.C.G.A. §16-9-90 et. seq. The Act establishes four criminal offenses, all felonies, for violations of the Act: Computer Theft, Computer Trespass, Computer Invasion of Privacy, and Computer Forgery.

 

Computer Trespass is defined at O.C.G.A. § 16-9-93 as when any person who uses a computer or network with knowledge that such use is without authority and with the intention of (1) deleting or removing any program or data; (2) obstructing or interfering with the use of a computer program or data; or (3) altering, damaging, or causing the malfunction of a computer, computer network, or program.

 

The State of Georgia can still prosecute the felony case even if the removing of data is temporary, or if the damage to the computer is minimal or eventually restored. However, Georgia Courts have required that data must actually be hindered or interfered with. For example, in Kinslow v. State, an employee altered a network to get his supervisor’s e-mail rerouted to his own personal e-mail. The supervisor continued receiving his e-mails normally. The Supreme Court of Georgia in June of 2021 held that this was insufficient evidence of Criminal Trespass as the action never blocked or hindered the flow of data. Instead, the e-mails were going to the correct supervisor e-mail as well as being copying to the suspect’s private e-mail and thus he could not be found guilty of the felony crime of Criminal Trespass.

 

The State of Georgia will continue to vigorously prosecute computer crimes. If someone is found guilty of Computer Trespass, the maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine or 15 years in prison, or both. In some situations, if someone is charged with Computer Trespass, there may be enough facts to also charge them with the other computer crimes like computer theft and computer forgery, which can increase the sentencing if convicted. There is also a civil component to the Act, which allows for monetary damages for those who claim they have been victim to a computer crime in Georgia.

 

If you or a loved one has been charged with a computer crime in Georgia, call the Law Office of W. Scott Smith for a free consultation at 404-581-0999. An aggressive criminal defense team can investigate and raise numerous defenses in Computer Crime and Computer Trespass cases, and can protect you through the criminal justice system.

Understanding Computer Theft Crime in Georgia

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In response to a growing number of computer-related crimes in both the government and private sectors, the State of Georgia enacted the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act (Act), O.C.G.A. §16-9-90 et. seq. The Act establishes four criminal offenses, all major felonies, for violations of the Act: Computer Theft, Computer Trespass, Computer Invasion of Privacy, and Computer Forgery.

 

Computer Theft is defined as when any person who uses a computer or network with knowledge that such use is without authority and with the intention of either taking property of another; obtaining property by any deceitful means or artful practice; or converting property to such person’s use in violation of an agreement to make a specified application or disposition of such property.

 

Courts have held that there is sufficient evidence of computer theft when the defendant used a computer, owned by her employer, with knowledge that such use was without authority, and with intention of removing programs or data from that computer and appropriating them for her own use.

 

However, courts have held there was no criminal theft where an employee got on his employer-owned computer, printed out e-mails, and used the e-mails for a competing business while still employed. The Court held that the use of the computer was not without authority and so he cannot be guilty of the computer theft crime. See Sitton v. Print Direction, Inc., 312 Ga. App. 365 (2011).

 

The State of Georgia vigorously prosecutes these types of cases. If someone is found guilty of computer theft, the maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine or 15 years in prison, or both. In most situations, if someone is charged with computer theft, there may be enough facts to also charge them with the other computer crimes like computer trespass and computer forgery, which can increase the sentencing if convicted.

 

If you or a loved one has been charged with a computer crime in Georgia, call the Law Office of W. Scott Smith for a free consultation at 404-581-0999. An aggressive criminal defense team can investigate and raise numerous defenses in Computer Crime and Computer Theft cases, and can protect you through the criminal justice system.

Homicide, Murder, and Manslaughter Charges in Georgia

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In our criminal justice system “homicide” is a broad umbrella term which encompasses different types of specific crimes. Homicide is generally defined as the killing of another person without justification or defense. This blog article aims to explore the different types of homicides under Georgia law.

 

Murder

 

O.C.G.A. § 16-5-1 sets out the ways a person can commit the offense of murder and second-degree murder.

 

  • A person commits the offense of murder when he unlawfully and with malice aforethought, either express or implied, causes the death of another human being.

 

Express malice is that deliberate intention unlawfully to take the life of another human being which is manifested by external circumstances capable of proof. Malice shall be implied where no considerable provocation appears and where all the circumstances of the killing show an abandoned and malignant heart.

 

  • A person commits the offense of murder when, in the commission of a felony, he or she causes the death of another human being irrespective of malice.

 

This is also referred to as “felony murder.”

 

  • A person commits the offense of murder in the second degree when, in the commission of cruelty to children in the second degree, he or she causes the death of another human being irrespective of malice.

 

Punishment if Convicted

 

A person convicted of the offense of murder shall be punished by death, by imprisonment for life without parole, or by imprisonment for life. A person convicted of the offense of murder in the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten nor more than 30 years.

 

Manslaughter

 

In Georgia, manslaughter can be either voluntary or involuntary.

 

Under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-2, a person commits the offense of voluntary manslaughter when he causes the death of another human being under circumstances which would otherwise be murder and if he acts solely as the result of a sudden, violent, and irresistible passion resulting from serious provocation sufficient to excite such passion in a reasonable person; however, if there should have been an interval between the provocation and the killing sufficient for the voice of reason and humanity to be heard, of which the jury in all cases shall be the judge, the killing shall be attributed to deliberate revenge and be punished as murder.

 

Essentially, the law recognizes that a person can become so inflamed by passion or provoked to a certain degree that it negates the mental state of “malice” found in murder charges. Because there is no malice, a jury is authorized to convict a person on the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter.

 

Examples of sufficient provocation or irresistible passion have been held to include adultery (Raines v. State, 247 Ga. 504 (1981)) and battered person syndrome (Paslay v. State, 285 Ga. 616 (2009)). Evidence of anger alone is not sufficient to set aside malice. It is also important to note there can not be a “cooling off” period between the provoking act and the killing.

 

A person who commits the offense of voluntary manslaughter, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years.

 

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-5-3, A person commits the offense of involuntary manslaughter in the commission of an unlawful act when he causes the death of another human being without any intention to do so by the commission of an unlawful act other than a felony.

 

In the situation of an unlawful act, upon conviction thereof, the person shall be convicted of a felony and punished by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years.

 

A person also commits the offense of involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act in an unlawful manner when he causes the death of another human being without any intention to do so, by the commission of a lawful act in an unlawful manner likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

 

Here, during the commission of a lawful act in an unlawful manner, upon conviction thereof, the person shall be punished as a misdemeanor.

 

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Homicides are investigated aggressively by law enforcement. These crimes are extremely serious. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime involving the death or another, please contact our office today at 404-581-0999 for a free consultation.

Georgia Criminal Law – Drug Paraphernalia and Drug Related Objects

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Not only does Georgia law prohibit the possession of controlled substances, it also makes it unlawful to possess the tools or equipment used in the drug trade or use of drugs. These tools are commonly referred to as paraphernalia. Items such as pipes, needles, grinders, or bongs often come to mind. In and of themselves, these items may be perfectly legal to possess, but when discovered adjacent to a controlled substance, or when the items contain the residue of a controlled substance, that’s when you could be charged with “Drug Related Objects.”

 

The Offense

O.C.G.A. § 16-13-32.2 makes it unlawful to possess or use drug related objects. “It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or possess with the intent to use, any object or materials of any kind for the purpose of planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body marijuana or a controlled substance.”

 

It is important to note that any object or material of any kind can constitute a drug related object. However, Georgia Senate Bill No. 164 would amend and revise the above law by making it inapplicable hypodermic needles or syringes.

 

Defenses

No possession: The State has to prove the person was in knowing possession (actual or constructive) in order to sustain a conviction.

 

In Wright v. State, 355 Ga.App. 417 (2020), the evidence was insufficient to demonstrate that probationer possessed methamphetamine pipe found in truck parked outside residence where probationer was being arrested on unrelated charge, and thus revocation of probation was precluded based on possession of pipe; there was no admissible evidence showing that probationer possessed pipe, and no non-hearsay evidence showed that probationer owned truck.

 

Lawful Purpose / No Intent: The State has to prove the items were possessed with the intent to be used with an illegal purpose. A bong, in and of itself, with no marijuana residue and without any evidence of drug possession or use would not be sufficient to convict for drug related objects.

 

In Holloway v. State, 297 Ga.App. 81 (2009), the evidence was sufficient to show that defendant had joint possession of two crack-pipe filters found in a vehicle that he was driving and in which a passenger was riding, so as to support a conviction for possessing a drug-related object; as the driver, defendant was presumed to have possession of contraband in the vehicle, and the state presented evidence that defendant and the passenger were involved in the crack-cocaine drug trade.

 

Punishment

Possession of a drug related object is a misdemeanor and can carry up to 12 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

 

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If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, please contact our office today at 404-581-0999 for a free consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggravated Battery Charges in Georgia

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In Georgia, there are multiple types of battery offenses such as simple battery, battery, family violence battery, and aggravated battery. This blog will solely focus on aggravated battery.

According to O.C.G.A. § 16-5-24, a person commits the offense of aggravated battery when he/she maliciously causes bodily harm to another by depriving him/her of a member of his/her body, by rendering a member of his/her body useless, or by seriously disfiguring his/her body or a member thereof. The crime of aggravated battery does not require that the victim’s disfigurement be permanent, however, the injury must be more severe than a superficial wound. Some examples of aggravated battery include, but are not limited to:

  • Striking a person with a weapon or dangerous object;
  • Inflicting an injury upon a person in which causes them to have blurred vision, broken bones, severe bruising, memory lapse, or permanent nerve damage;
  • Shooting a person with a firearm;
  • Inflicting an injury upon a person in which causes them to suffer temporary or permanent disfigurement;
  • A battery against a particular group of people that are protected such as police officers, healthcare providers, social services workers, the elderly, and the developmentally disabled.

A conviction of aggravated battery requires the jury to find that an accused person acted with intent. Thus, an experienced criminal defense attorney may defend these allegations by arguing that the accused did not have the requisite state of mind to commit an aggravated battery. Another example of an affirmative defense that may be raised in a case like this is self-defense.

Penalties

An aggravated battery charge is a serious offense and is characterized as a felony. A person convicted of this offense can be punished anywhere between 1-20 years in prison. However, the punishment is enhanced when the victim of an aggravated battery is part of a particular class of persons. If the victim is a police officer engaged in his/her official duties then the accused, if convicted, may be sentenced to a prison term of at least 10 years, but no more than 20 years. Furthermore, if the victim is a person over the age of 65 years old, the accused may be punished anywhere between 5-20 years in prison. Additionally, if the victim is a teacher or other school personnel, and the offense occurred within a school safety zone, the penalty upon conviction is at least 5 years, but no more than 20 years in prison. Finally, if the aggravated battery is considered to have been committed against a person who has a familial relationship with the accused, he/she could be sentenced anywhere between 3-20 years in prison.

Due to the severity of the penalties for an aggravated battery charge, it is of vital importance to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who is knowledgeable of all possible options for an accused dealing with such serious allegations. At the Law Offices of W. Scott Smith, our lawyers are trained at defending such charges. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been arrested for aggravated battery, please call our office today at 404-581-0999 for a free consultation.

Peach State Lawyers Practice in Gwinnett Recorders Court

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If you’ve been pulled over or cited by a Gwinnett County Police Officer, Sheriff, or Georgia State Patrol Trooper for any traffic violation including DUI; or have been cited for a Gwinnett County code violation, you are due to appear in Gwinnett County Recorders Court. Recorders Court is another name for traffic court. There is a solicitor. There is a judge. But cases in Recorders Court are not tried in front of a jury. Gwinnett County Recorders Court is located at 115 Stone Mountain Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. Gwinnett County Recorders Court is not located in the same building as State and Superior Court.

 

There are three courtrooms in Recorders Court. Court starts promptly at 8:30am, and you need to be there early to find out which courtroom you are assigned to. After you get through security, go up the stairs to see a series of windows. At these windows you can check in, and get your courtroom assignment. You then enter your assigned courtroom and have a seat in the pews. Recorders courtrooms are extremely busy and it is not uncommon to see 150-250 people in each courtroom on any given day.

 

Like many municipal and traffic courts in the State of Georgia, solicitors handle private attorney cases first. Guilty pleas are handled after private attorney cases. The last cases handled in Gwinnett County Recorders Court are unrepresented citizens looking to fight your case. There are no electronic devices allowed in Gwinnett County Recorders Court.

 

Peach State Lawyers can go to Gwinnett County Recorders Court on your behalf. We can negotiate with the solicitors to get your best possible options before asking you to waste your time in court to enter a plea. Then when you do decide how you want to handle your case, we can get you in and out of Court quickly and on with your day. If you are scheduled to appear in Gwinnett County Recorders Court, please call us today at 404-581-0999 for a free consultation.