Georgia Battery
You’ve probably heard the terms assault and battery before, but what are they? How are they different? There is actually a simple distinction between the two. Battery is the point-of-no-return and actually involves physical contact with another person. If you’re standing across a room and see someone you’re angry with and you approach them and hit them, this is considered battery. This situation would be considered assault if you threatened or intentionally aggravated the person by either spitting on them or saying that you want to fight with them.
The most important thing you can do if you are charged with battery is to seek a qualified Georgia battery lawyer; they’re out there. A qualified battery lawyer can help you sort out the facts of your case, interview witnesses and police and help you build a solid defense. For example, let’s say your battery charge took place at your home. You and your friends are playing a friendly game of football when your neighbor stops by and you invite him to join. His team is winning, but the game is close and so in your adrenaline-induced rush you tackle him causing him to break his ankle. You did not mean to hurt him, but he is angry and presses a battery charge against you. This is why you need a lawyer.
It is also important to note that a battery charge cannot only cause you problems in court, but it can cause financial problems as well. Taking the example from above, your neighbor may try to sue you for damages, including paying his medical bills from his broken ankle. This is called an intentional tort and the neighbor must prove that you meant to cause him bodily harm. If the neighbor sues you, you will have to go to civil court, which is a completely separate case from criminal court. He may claim that you never liked him and wanted to hurt him and that your intent was to physically contact him through an innocent football game. Don’t let this happen to you, make sure you have a lawyer to represent your case!
Other types of battery
Battery can be considered sexual in nature, domestic (meaning a family member or someone you live with was involved) or it can be aggravated. Penalties depend on the seriousness of injury, your criminal record and the severity of the case. But no matter what the circumstances were, you need representation.
