Georgia Incest Defense Lawyer

A conviction for incest not only brings severe social stigma, but serious legal consequences as well. While some may think incest isn't as serious as other sex crimes because it is “consensual”, in reality it carries harsh penalties. Most people are also unaware that incest laws apply not only to those related by blood, but also close relatives by marriage. At the Berry Law Group, we can explain the ins and outs of the law and determine the best legal strategy for your case.

What Is Incest in Georgia?

Georgia law defines incest (O.C.G.A. 16-6-22) as occurring when a person engages in sexual intercourse or sodomy (including anal or oral sex) with “a person whom he or she knows he or she is related to either by blood or by marriage” in the following ways:

• Father and child or stepchild;

• Mother and child or stepchild;

• Whole or half blood siblings;

• Grandparent and grandchild;

• Aunt and niece or nephew; or

• Uncle and niece of nephew.

Georgia has some of the harshest punishments of any state in the country when it comes to incest. A conviction for incest with someone above the age of 14 years carries a prison term of ten to thirty years. If the crime involved a child under the age of fourteen years, the consequences are even more severe: twenty-five to fifty years in prison. This offense also mandates registration as a sex offender and all the requirements and restrictions that come along with that status.

A Georgia Sex Crime Attorney Can Help

If you have been charged with incest, the Berry Law Group can assist you in fighting your charges or seeking a satisfactory deal with prosecutors. There are many possible defense strategies for this type of case. For example, if you did not know you were related to the person with whom you had an incestuous relationship, you should not be found guilty. Each case is unique, so contact the Berry Law Group for a free consultation. We will assess your case and advise you on how best to protect your rights and your future.