Aggravated assault in Georgia is a felony punishable by 1–20 years in prison, with harsher sentences if the victim is elderly, a public worker, or a child. A Newnan aggravated assault lawyer can fight charges, protect your rights, and build your defense.
Whether you were accused in the middle of a fight, during a domestic dispute, or after a weapon was found nearby, don’t assume the facts will speak for themselves. Prosecutors will use Georgia’s aggravated assault law to their advantage. You need a defense team that knows the law—and how to fight back.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we defend people who’ve been accused of aggravated assault in Newnan and across Coweta County. We don’t back down. We don’t let the state push for maximum penalties without a challenge. And we take your future as seriously as you do.
Under GA Code § 16-5-21, you can be charged with aggravated assault if the state claims you committed an assault under specific circumstances that elevate it beyond a simple threat or attempted harm.
You assault someone:
It’s important to note: the “assault” does not require physical contact. If you allegedly placed someone in reasonable fear of serious harm, that alone may be enough to support a charge.
Aggravated assault charges often arise from:
You don’t need to cause an injury to be charged. In fact, many aggravated assault cases involve no injuries at all—only accusations of intent or fear.
Aggravated assault is a felony. The basic sentencing range is:
But the sentence can be much higher—and sometimes mandatory—depending on the circumstances.
Every enhancement raises the stakes and limits the judge’s discretion. That’s why building a strong defense early is critical.
These charges are often built on accusations, assumptions, and fear. We know the law. We know the tactics prosecutors use. And we know that your side of the story matters.
Depending on the facts, we may raise one or more of the following defenses:
Georgia’s self-defense law permits the use of force—including deadly force—if you reasonably believed you were in danger. If the other person was the aggressor, or if you were defending someone else, this may be a complete defense.
The state must prove you intended to murder, rape, rob, or cause serious harm. If you acted recklessly or emotionally but without criminal intent, the charge may not hold—or may be reduced.
Sometimes prosecutors claim an object is a “deadly weapon” when it’s not. Or that a person was in fear of injury when they weren’t. We challenge vague language, improper labeling of objects, and speculative assumptions.
Aggravated assault charges often arise from high-emotion events: domestic disputes, child custody exchanges, fights in bars or parking lots. If the accuser has a motive to lie—or exaggerated what happened—we dig deep to expose it.
If police violated your rights—by conducting an illegal search, making an unlawful arrest, or coercing a statement—we file suppression motions to get key evidence thrown out.
In many cases, prosecutors use aggravated assault as a leveraging tool. They stack the charge on top of other offenses to force plea deals or inflate sentencing exposure.
You could be charged with:
…all from a single incident.
That’s why you need a lawyer who knows how to push back, dissect every piece of evidence, and protect your rights from the beginning.
If your case involves a spouse, partner, co-parent, or household member, it may also be classified as family violence under Georgia law.
That means:
We understand the unique pressure these cases bring and fight to prevent a conviction from destroying your family or your future.
Bibb County
Carroll County
Coweta County
Fulton County
Glynn County
Spalding County
Being charged with aggravated assault doesn’t mean you’re guilty. But unless you act quickly, the state may build a narrative around you that’s hard to undo. At J. Ryan Brown Law, we don’t let that happen.
We:
From the first hearing to the final argument, we’re building a defense designed to protect your freedom and your record.
You can’t afford to wait. If you’ve been charged with aggravated assault or believe you’re under investigation, every move you make matters. Let us help you make the right ones.
Call J. Ryan Brown Law today or request a confidential consultation.
When the charges are serious, you need a law firm that takes your defense seriously. Let’s start building your strategy—now.
