Savannah GA Sodomy Lawyer

Aggravated Sodomy in Georgia

 

The Georgia Code held that consensual acts of sodomy were a crime that was punishable by one to twenty years in prison until 1998, and it was indeed a very controversial issue that received national attention. Sodomy is basically defined as engaging in oral or anal sex, specifically involving the "sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another." This includes both active and passive actions.

 

The only thing about this law that many people objected to was that consent was not considered to be a valid defense from prosecution. In other words, prior to 1998, it was a crime for two consenting adults to engage in either oral or anal sex in the state of Georgia. After the landmark Powell v. Georgia case in 1998, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that they could not uphold a conviction for sodomy with Chief Justice Robert Benham opining that "We cannot think of any other activity that reasonable persons would rank as more private and more deserving of protection from governmental interference than consensual, private, adult sexual activity."  

 

However, the crime of aggravated sodomy is indeed on the books in Georgia, and this involves forcing someone to engage in an act of sodomy. The penalty for aggravated sodomy is grave indeed; those convicted of this charge are facing ten years to life in prison. For those who are facing potential penalties as damaging as these, expert legal counsel is essential. It is advisable to contact an experienced Georgia criminal defense attorney before making any attempts to address a charge of aggravated sodomy on your own.

 

Sex crimes carry a particular stigma to them, and this can make those accused take pause before exercising their right to counsel. However, defense lawyers in Georgia have the training and experience to handle all types of cases, and everyone has a right to an attorney and we are all innocent until we are proven guilty by a jury of our peers. If you have been charged with a sex crime in Georgia, do not hesitate to engage the advocacy of qualified legal counsel.

 

If you are accused of a sodomy offense in Georgia, then contact a seasoned Savannah GA aggravated sodomy defense lawyer immediately.