Statesboro Domestic Violence Attorney

Defending Bulloch County Clients in Family Violence Cases Since 1997

A domestic violence charge in Georgia moves fast. Within hours of an arrest, you can face a no-contact order, removal from your home, and the start of a prosecution that can proceed whether or not the alleged victim wants it to. Georgia courts treat these cases aggressively, and the consequences reach far beyond jail time into custody, employment, professional licenses, firearm rights, and immigration status.

At Gabe T. Cliett P.C., we have defended clients in Statesboro and Bulloch County since 1997. With hundreds of jury and bench trials behind us, we come to every domestic violence case prepared to fight on the merits, not to push you toward a quick plea. We offer free initial consultations so you can understand what you’re facing without any upfront commitment.

Have you been accused of domestic violence? Call Gabe T. Cliett P.C. today at (912) 274-7752 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our domestic violence attorney in Statesboro.

What Georgia Law Defines as Family Violence

Georgia’s Family Violence Act (O.C.G.A. 19-13-1) covers more conduct than most people expect. Under Georgia law, domestic violence includes battery, simple battery, simple assault, assault, stalking, criminal damage to property, unlawful restraint, criminal trespass, and any felony committed against a qualifying household member. Physical harm isn’t required: a person can be charged with simple assault or battery without a visible injury ever occurring.

Emotional abuse falls within this framework as well. Simple assault includes placing someone in reasonable fear of harm, and stalking covers contact that causes emotional distress, so charges can arise from conduct that never turns physical.

Georgia’s Family Violence Act protects the following individuals:

• Spouses and former spouses
• Parents who share a child in common, whether married or unmarried
• Children and stepchildren
• Parents and stepparents
• Foster children and foster parents
• Any other household members or former household members

Penalties for Domestic Violence in Georgia

The severity of a domestic violence charge depends on the specific offense and your prior record. A first conviction for family violence battery is typically a misdemeanor, carrying up to 12 months in jail and fines up to $1,000. That changes quickly with prior history.

A second or subsequent family violence battery conviction is automatically a felony in Georgia, even if it involves a different victim, and carries one to five years in prison. If you have a prior forcible felony conviction against a household member from any jurisdiction, even a first offense can be charged as a felony. Aggravated assault and aggravated battery carry up to 20 years in prison.

Beyond incarceration, a conviction can bring:

• Fines and court costs
• Probation
• Community service
• Mandatory Family Violence Intervention Program completion
• Anger management requirements
• Loss of the right to own or possess a firearm under federal law
• Negative impact on child custody proceedings
• Risk of deportation or denial of immigration benefits for non-citizens
• Loss of professional licenses

What a Family Violence Protective Order Can Mean for You

A family violence protective order can reshape your daily life before any criminal conviction occurs. Courts can issue a temporary ex parte protective order before you have had any opportunity to be heard, meaning you can be removed from your home the same day charges are filed.

A protective order can require:

• Prohibiting all contact with the alleged victim
• Requiring you to vacate a shared home
• Awarding temporary child custody to the other party
• Ordering payment of attorney fees and court costs

Violating a protective order is a separate criminal offense. Depending on the conduct, it can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or elevated to aggravated stalking, a felony charge carrying its own significant penalties.

How We Defend Domestic Violence Charges in Statesboro

Georgia follows a no-drop prosecution policy, which means the State can pursue charges even if the alleged victim later withdraws a complaint or refuses to cooperate. A domestic violence defense can’t rest on the hope that the accuser will back down. It has to be built on the evidence.

Investigating the Prosecution’s Case

Our approach starts with a thorough review of the prosecution’s evidence: police reports, 911 recordings, medical records, photographs, and witness statements. We challenge inconsistencies in law enforcement’s narrative and work with investigators and experts when the facts call for it. Domestic violence allegations frequently arise during divorce proceedings, separations, or custody disputes, where one party may exaggerate or fabricate claims to gain a legal advantage. We know how to expose that context.

Common defenses in Georgia domestic violence cases include:

• Self-defense or defense of others
• False or exaggerated accusation
• The parties don’t meet the qualifying relationship under the Family Violence Act
• Insufficient or contradicted evidence

Trial-Ready Representation

With hundreds of jury and bench trials behind us, we’re prepared to take your case to court when that’s in your best interest. Our deliberately limited caseload means you get direct attorney attention throughout your case, not hand-offs to paralegals while your file sits in a queue.

Statute of Limitations for Domestic Violence in Georgia

The window for the State to bring charges depends on the severity of the offense. Under O.C.G.A. 17-3-1, the statute of limitations for misdemeanor domestic violence offenses is two years. Felony offenses such as aggravated assault carry a four-year window. When the alleged victim was under 18 at the time of the offense, that window extends to seven years. The limitations period can also be tolled if the accused was outside Georgia, the crime wasn’t reported, or the identity of the accused was unknown at the time.

A Statesboro Domestic Violence Lawyer Who Knows These Courts

Our firm has practiced in the State Court and Superior Court of Bulloch County since 1997. Gabe T. Cliett and W. Keith Barber bring over 40 years of combined legal experience to every defense, with deep familiarity with local courts and prosecutors. The firm holds recognition from the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and maintains membership in the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

We keep our caseload intentionally small so every client has direct access to their attorney from the first call to the final resolution. We return calls promptly, keep you informed at every stage, and offer student discounts for members of the Georgia Southern community. A free initial consultation is available so you can review your situation and your options before making any decisions.

Contact Gabe T. Cliett P.C. today to get started on your defense with our Statesboro domestic violence attorney.