Being charged with sexual battery in Georgia isn’t just a criminal accusation—it’s a personal and legal emergency. Your freedom, future, and reputation are all on the line.
Most people panic. Others try to explain themselves to police. A few try to ignore it, hoping it goes away.
But here’s the truth: once that charge is filed under Georgia Code § 16-6-22.1, the State is already building its case. And if you don’t take the right steps immediately, you could walk into a conviction—and even prison—without realizing it.
Sexual battery in Georgia means intentionally touching someone’s private areas without their consent.
That sounds straightforward, but the law casts a wide net. Charges can arise from incidents in schools, workplaces, clubs, public spaces—even from misunderstandings or false allegations.
Georgia law defines “intimate parts” as areas like the genitals, buttocks, groin, inner thighs, and (in the case of women) the breasts. If you intentionally touch one of those areas without permission—even briefly or through clothing—you can be charged.
And yes, “intentional” simply means you meant to make contact. It doesn’t require sexual intent or physical harm.
Sometimes. Georgia law separates sexual battery into two categories:
If you fall into either category, you’re facing 1 to 5 years in prison and felony-level consequences that follow you for life.
Sexual battery doesn’t always require registration on Georgia’s sex offender registry—but it absolutely can, depending on the circumstances.
If the alleged victim is a minor, if the charge is elevated to felony status, or if you’re convicted of multiple sex-related crimes, the court may require registration.
That means:
Avoiding registration is often one of the most important priorities in a sexual battery defense—and it must be addressed from the start.
Here’s what usually happens when you’re facing a sexual battery charge in Georgia:
If law enforcement asks you to “come in for a conversation,” understand this: they’re not just looking for answers—they’re looking for evidence. Anything you say, even informally, can be used against you later.
Never speak to police without a defense attorney present. That’s not fear—that’s legal self-preservation.
Sexual battery cases often come down to one issue: consent. But there are other key defenses that may apply to your case:
If the contact wasn’t intentional, it doesn’t meet the legal definition of sexual battery. Accidental contact in a crowded space or during roughhousing, for example, should not result in a conviction.
These cases sometimes stem from retaliation, jealousy, or personal conflict. The law doesn’t require physical evidence, so your defense must scrutinize the motivation and credibility of the accuser.
In public settings or chaotic environments, victims may mistake someone’s identity. Surveillance footage, phone location data, or eyewitnesses can play a major role in proving you weren’t the person involved.
The prosecution must prove the alleged contact was with one of the specific body parts defined in the law. General or nonsexual contact isn’t enough to sustain the charge.
You don’t have to be convicted for the charge to wreck your life. Just being accused of sexual battery can cause:
That’s why early, aggressive legal representation isn’t optional—it’s essential.
No. Absolutely not.
Even if you think it was all a misunderstanding. Even if they’re someone you know or used to date. Even if you’re tempted to apologize or explain.
Contacting the alleged victim could lead to additional charges like obstruction, witness tampering, or violation of a no-contact order. Let your attorney handle all communication.
If you’re facing charges under § 16-6-22.1, take these steps immediately:
You have the right to remain silent. Use it. If police contact you, politely decline and request legal counsel.
Anything you say on social media can and will be used against you. Lock down your profiles and stop posting immediately.
You need someone who knows Georgia criminal law and has experience pushing back against prosecutors in sex crime cases. This is not a situation for a general practitioner or a DIY defense.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we know how prosecutors pursue these cases—and we know how to fight back.
We work quickly to:
Every decision we make is designed to keep you out of jail, off the registry, and on a path toward reclaiming your future.
A sexual battery charge in Georgia is serious—but it’s not the end. You are not guilty just because you were accused. And you are not alone.
Let us fight for your rights, your record, and your future.
Call J. Ryan Brown Law today for a confidential defense consultation.
We’ll give you the answers the State won’t—and a legal strategy that doesn’t fold under pressure.
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
