Violent crimes involve offenses where force or threats of force are used against victims, ranging from assaults and robberies to homicides and sexual offenses. In Georgia, these charges carry consequences that extend far beyond prison sentences. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 classifies seven specific offenses as "serious violent felonies," imposing mandatory minimum sentences, parole restrictions, and lifetime consequences.
Classification of a crime determines eligibility for First Offender treatment, bond amounts, parole possibilities, and sentencing enhancements. If you are facing violent crime charges or believe you may be under investigation, consulting with a violent crimes lawyer immediately protects your rights and preserves your defense options.
Violent Crimes in Georgia: Key Takeaways
- Georgia defines seven crimes as "serious violent felonies" with mandatory minimum sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years that judges cannot reduce or suspend
- Violent felony convictions result in state prison sentences (not county jail), permanent loss of firearm rights, and create lasting barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing
- Serious violent felony convictions require serving full mandatory minimum sentences (10-25 years) with no possibility of reduction, parole, or early release programs
Georgia's Seven Serious Violent Felonies
Georgia law establishes a specific category of offenses called "serious violent felonies," commonly known as the "Seven Deadly Sins." These crimes carry the harshest penalties in Georgia's criminal justice system, including mandatory minimums that judges cannot reduce or suspend.
The seven offenses classified as serious violent felonies under Georgia law include:
- Murder or felony murder: Unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought, or deaths occurring during commission of certain felonies
- Armed robbery: Taking property from another by use of an offensive weapon
- Kidnapping: Abducting or imprisoning another person against their will
- Rape: Non-consensual sexual intercourse accomplished through force against the victim's will
- Aggravated sodomy: Committing sodomy with force against the victim's will
- Aggravated sexual battery: Intentional penetration of another person's sexual organs with a foreign object without consent
- Aggravated child molestation: Committing child molestation involving sodomy or sexual intercourse with a victim under 16
These seven offenses trigger Georgia's most severe sentencing provisions. Conviction on any of these charges dramatically limits judicial discretion in sentencing and eliminates most avenues for reduced sentences or early release.
Georgia’s Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Serious Violent Felonies
Georgia law imposes strict mandatory minimums for serious violent felonies that courts cannot suspend, stay, probate, defer, or withhold. For armed robbery or kidnapping involving victims 14 years or older, convicted defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years imprisonment under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(b)(1).
For the remaining five serious violent felonies (kidnapping of victims under 14, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery) convicted defendants receive either life imprisonment or split sentences requiring mandatory minimums of 25 years imprisonment followed by lifetime probation under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(b)(2).
No portion of these mandatory sentences may be reduced through earned time, early release, work programs, or parole. Furthermore, judges have no discretion to suspend, stay, probate, defer, or withhold these mandatory minimum sentences, except where the prosecuting attorney agrees to a sentence below the minimum under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(e).
Other Violent Crimes in Georgia
Beyond the seven serious violent felonies, Georgia law recognizes numerous other offenses as violent crimes. While these charges may not carry the same mandatory minimum sentences as the seven deadly sins, they remain serious felonies with substantial prison time and lasting consequences.
| Crime | Definition | Sentence Range | Key Distinctions |
| Aggravated Assault | Assault with intent to murder, rape, or rob; or assault with a deadly weapon or object that may cause serious bodily injury | 1-20 years (circumstances may increase) | Simple assault is a misdemeanor; weapon use, injury severity, or victim identity (law enforcement, protected classes) elevates to felony |
| Aggravated Battery | Maliciously causing bodily harm by depriving someone of a body member, rendering a member useless, or seriously disfiguring | 1-20 years | Requires permanent or serious harm, not simple injury; enhanced penalties for attacks on public safety officers or family members |
| Simple Robbery | Taking property from another through force, intimidation, threats, or sudden snatching | 1-20 years | Does not involve weapons; distinguishes from armed robbery |
| Home Invasion / First-Degree Burglary | Unlawfully entering homes with intent to commit theft or felonies while occupants present | 1-20 years (enhanced with weapons/injuries) | Occupant presence distinguishes from standard burglary |
While diversion isn’t available for violent felonies, understanding the Georgia diversion program helps distinguish which offenses may qualify for alternative sentencing options.
Short-Term and Long-Term Consequences of Conviction
Violent crime convictions in Georgia trigger numerous sentencing consequences beyond incarceration prison. These collateral consequences must also be accounted for when evaluating defense strategies and potential outcomes.
Prison vs. Jail and Where Sentences Are Served
Violent felony convictions in Georgia result in prison sentences, not county jail time. Felonies carrying sentences of one year or more are served in Georgia Department of Corrections facilities (state prisons), while misdemeanors are served in county jails. Any jail time served after arrest is credited toward the sentence.
In some cases, procedural errors, such as unlawful searches or questioning, raise the question of whether the police violated your rights during criminal charges, which can significantly affect case outcomes.
Parole Restrictions and the 85% Rule
Violent crime convictions significantly impact parole eligibility. For serious violent felonies resulting in life sentences, convicted defendants must serve minimum terms of 30 years before becoming eligible for parole consideration. Split sentences requiring 25 years followed by lifetime probation mean defendants serve every day of those 25 years without possibility of early release.
Recidivist Enhancements
Prior violent felony convictions trigger severe sentencing enhancements for subsequent offenses. Second convictions for serious violent felonies may result in life imprisonment. Fourth felony convictions eliminate parole eligibility entirely, regardless of whether all prior convictions involved violent offenses.
Prior convictions, even for unrelated offenses such as drug possession, can impact sentencing. Understanding, for example, how you can fight a drug charge in Georgia may prevent future recidivist enhancements.
These recidivist provisions compound over time, meaning early violent crime convictions create permanent vulnerabilities to enhanced sentences for any future felony charges.
Lifetime Collateral Consequences
Violent felony convictions create permanent barriers that extend long after completing prison sentences. These consequences affect nearly every aspect of daily life:
- Voting rights: Convicted felons lose voting rights while incarcerated and on parole, though rights restore upon completing sentences.
- Firearm possession: Convicted violent felons are permanently prohibited under both Georgia and federal law from possessing a firearm.
- Employment barriers: Many employers refuse to hire applicants with violent felony records, particularly for positions involving vulnerable populations, financial responsibility, or professional licensing.
- Housing obstacles: Landlords frequently deny rental applications from individuals with violent crime convictions, limiting housing options.
- Professional licensing: Georgia licensing boards for healthcare, law, education, and other professions may deny or revoke licenses based on violent crime convictions.
- Immigration consequences: Non-citizens face deportation possibilities, as violent crimes often qualify as aggravated felonies under immigration law.
These collateral consequences remain in effect for life, continuing to impact convicted individuals long after they complete their sentences and return to their communities.
FAQ About Violent Crimes in Georgia
Can I Get Bond on a Violent Crime Charge in Georgia?
Bond availability depends on specific charges and circumstances. Courts may deny bond or set very high amounts for violent offenses, particularly when defendants have prior serious violent felony convictions or present flight risks.
Does Aggravated Assault Always Count as a Violent Crime?
Aggravated assault qualifies as a violent felony but is not one of the seven serious violent felonies carrying mandatory minimums. This means First Offender treatment may be available in appropriate cases, though judges maintain discretion based on offense severity.
Can Violent Crime Arrests Be Expunged if Charges Get Dismissed?
Dismissed violent crime charges may qualify for record restriction, removing arrests from public background checks. Restrictions do not apply when dismissals result from negotiated plea agreements or when courts grant immunity following self-defense claims.
Protect Your Rights With Atlantic Law Firm
Violent crime charges threaten decades of imprisonment, permanent criminal records, and lifetime consequences affecting employment, housing, and relationships. These cases demand immediate action from attorneys who understand Georgia's complex violent crime statutes and mandatory sentencing provisions. When the stakes are this high, you need a criminal defense lawyer who knows how to protect your rights and build a strong defense from the very start.
Attorney Stacey M. Goad's experience as a former prosecutor enables her to evaluate prosecution evidence, identify defense strategies, and challenge violent crime allegations effectively. She understands how district attorneys build violent crime cases and what evidence may establish reasonable doubt or support self-defense claims.
If you are facing violent crime charges in Savannah, don't wait: call Atlantic Law Firm now at (912) 209-9000 for a free, confidential consultation. Your life matters.