Georgia’s Sexual Assault Laws

Michael McIntyre is an attorney and lead counsel with Michael Kennedy McIntyre & Associates. Leading Michael Kennedy McIntyre & Associates since 1985, Michael McIntyre endeavors to keep abreast of the latest changes in Georgia law, including sex offense laws.

Sexual assault laws in Georgia differ from from many other states in the US. Below are three sexual assault laws worth noting in Georgia.

Sexual battery
Sexual battery happens when an individual purposefully makes physical contact with another person’s intimate parts without their consent. Considered a high-order misdemeanor, sexual battery carries a jail term of up to 12 months and a $5,000 fine in Georgia. However, aggravated sexual battery can lead to a sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment.

Romeo and Juliet sexual battery laws
Under sexual battery laws in Georgia, even young lovers can be punished within the confines of “Romeo and Juliet” laws. The laws apply if the victim falls within the 14-16 year-old bracket and the accused is 18 years old.

Improper sexual contact laws
Sexual relations involving a person of trust over another or in a position of authority are punishable under Georgia law. This includes a person with disciplinary or supervisory authority over someone.

Post Conviction Remedies in Georgia

Michael Kennedy is an attorney in Micheal Kennedy Mclntyre & Associates, located in Atlanta, Georgia. His firm practices exclusively in the field of post-conviction representation. At Michael Kennedy Mclntyre and Associates, the firm has the expertise to evaluate the post-conviction options available to clients convicted of crimes in Georgia and federal crimes. If you have been convicted of a crime in Georgia, you have a number of post-conviction remedies at your disposal to help you challenge your conviction. A motion for a new trial is the first option. Rather than an appeal, it allows the same judge who presided over your trial to fix his or her error. This is not a required step; you can skip it and proceed straight to an appeal. If your application for a new trial is denied or you choose to let it go, the next step is a direct appeal. Unless you are convicted of murder, your direct appeal will be reviewed by the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Direct appeals of a murder conviction are reviewed by the Supreme Court of Georgia.

State Bar of Georgia’s BASICS Program Goes on After 45 Years

Michael Kennedy McIntyre & Associates is a Georgia-based law practice that helps people obtain relief from their current convictions and overcome restrictions that come along with prior convictions. Michael Kennedy McIntyre & Associates was established in 1985 by experienced lawyer Michael McIntyre, who is in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia.

The State Bar of Georgia serves as the governing body of the legal profession in the State of Georgia. All practicing lawyers in Georgia are members of the Bar. The Bar implements various programs to assist its members and the public. One of the Bar’s longest-running programs for the public is the BASICS Program.

The BASICS or Bar Association Support to Improve Correctional Services is an offender rehabilitation program wherein the participants are assisted to stay out of jail through instruction, guidance, and counseling. The BASICS is sponsored by the Bar’s BASICS Committee.

In 1976, the US Supreme Court challenged all lawyers to play an active part in criminal reform. The American Bar Association responded positively. Twenty-two bar associations across the country started their BASICS programs. While each program was customized for each association, each dealt with criminal reform. Forty-five years later, the State Bar of Georgia’s BASICS World of Work Program is the only remaining BASICS program from the original 22 that continues to serve to this day.

The BASICS World of Work Program runs for 10 weeks. Within one year of release, former inmates who participate in the program receive business education, personal development, motivation, and counseling for employability.

Removal of Level 1 Offenders from Georgia Sex Offenders Registry

A degree holder from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Michael Kennedy McIntyre founded the law firm Michael Kennedy McIntyre and Associates in 1985. With over three decades of experience practicing law, Michael Kennedy McIntyre is well-versed in the process of petitioning for removal of a convicted sex offender from the Georgia sex offender registry. According to the Georgia sex offender registry, two categories of crimes warrant registration, dangerous sexual offenses and criminal offenses against a minor. While having a name removed from the sex offenders list can be an uphill task, it can make a significant positive change in the life of the person affected. Specific requirements must be met for a person’s name to be removed from the sex offender registry. Persons whose sentences ended over ten years ago must be classified as Level 1 offenders to be considered for removal. Level 1 offenders are considered low-risk offenders. Level 1 offenders may provide information such as psychological evaluations, character letters, treatment records, and witness statements from local law enforcement or probation officers. After the attorney gathers all the relevant information needed, he or she then prepares and files a petition to have the offender’s name removed from the sex offender registry. A judge will then evaluate the request for removal. If the judge rules in favor and the offender is found eligible for removal, their name will be removed from the registry.