Take a Breath. Then Get Serious.
It can happen in a flash.
An argument at a house in Lawrenceville.
A confrontation in a parking lot in Duluth.
A fight outside a restaurant in Suwanee.
A dispute between neighbors in Snellville.
A domestic argument in Buford.
A disagreement at Sugarloaf Mills.
A heated exchange in Norcross, Lilburn, Peachtree Corners, Dacula, Grayson, Sugar Hill, or anywhere else in Gwinnett County.
Someone calls 911.
Police arrive.
People point fingers.
And suddenly, you are being handcuffed and told that you are under arrest for Simple Battery.
The word simple can be misleading.
There is nothing particularly simple about having a criminal charge hanging over your head.
At The Sherman Law Group, we understand what happens next. A person who was perfectly ordinary an hour earlier may suddenly be worried about jail, employment, a professional license, a family relationship, a protective order, immigration consequences, or simply having a criminal case appear in the court system.
The good news is that an arrest is not a conviction.
A police officer's decision to arrest you is not the same thing as a judge or jury finding you guilty. And a criminal accusation is not automatically the complete story of what happened.
The details matter.
The evidence matters.
The precise language of the statute matters.
And in a Gwinnett County simple-battery case, the difference between a bad night and a lasting criminal conviction can depend heavily upon what happens after the handcuffs come off.
This guide explains what you need to know.
Important: This article is general legal information, not legal advice for a particular case. Georgia law and court procedures can change, and the facts of an individual case can dramatically affect the analysis.
What Is Simple Battery in Georgia?
Georgia's Simple Battery statute is O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.
Under the current statute, a person commits simple battery when he or she either:
- Intentionally makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another person; or
- Intentionally causes physical harm to another person.
Except for specified circumstances that increase the classification, simple battery is generally punished as a misdemeanor.
That definition deserves a closer look.
Because the average person hears "battery" and thinks:
"I didn't hurt anybody."
But Georgia's statute is broader than that.
A prosecutor does not necessarily have to prove that somebody ended up in an ambulance.
The allegation may instead involve intentional physical contact that the State characterizes as insulting or provoking.
That is one reason seemingly minor physical encounters can become criminal cases.
You Don't Have to Break a Bone to Be Accused of Simple Battery
This is one of the biggest misconceptions.
People sometimes think:
"There wasn't a bruise."
Or:
"Nobody went to the hospital."
Or:
"It was just a shove."
Those facts may be important to the defense.
But they do not automatically make a simple-battery allegation disappear.
The statutory language focuses on the nature and intent of the contact, not simply on whether there was catastrophic physical injury.
Imagine two people arguing.
One person puts a hand on the other person's chest.
The other person says, "He shoved me."
The accused person says, "I was trying to get away."
A witness says, "They were both yelling."
A security camera captures only part of the encounter.
Now you have a criminal case.
The question is no longer merely:
"Did somebody touch somebody?"
The legal questions become much more precise:
- Who initiated the physical contact?
- Was the contact intentional?
- What exactly happened?
- What happened immediately beforehand?
- Was the contact insulting or provoking?
- Was physical harm intentionally caused?
- Was the accused acting in self-defense?
- What did witnesses actually see?
- What does the video actually show?
- Are the witnesses consistent?
- What did the police report say?
- What evidence exists that the police officer never saw?
That is where criminal defense begins.
Simple Battery Is Usually a Misdemeanor—But "Usually" Is Doing Some Work
Ordinary simple battery is generally classified as a misdemeanor.
Georgia's general misdemeanor sentencing statute provides for a fine of up to $1,000, confinement for up to 12 months, or both, unless another law provides otherwise. Probation and other conditions may also be part of a misdemeanor sentence.
But Georgia's Simple Battery statute contains several circumstances that can make the offense a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
That distinction matters.
Under the current statute, enhanced treatment can apply in circumstances including simple battery against:
- a person age 65 or older;
- a pregnant woman;
- a person in certain public-transit circumstances;
- a police, correctional, or detention officer performing official duties;
- certain family or household members;
- and, under a 2026 amendment, certain utility workers and code-enforcement officials performing official duties.
So if somebody tells you:
"It's only simple battery. It's always just a regular misdemeanor."
Do not rely on that statement without examining the facts.
The identity of the alleged victim and the circumstances of the alleged contact can matter enormously.
Domestic Simple Battery Can Be a Different Animal
This deserves special attention.
Georgia law provides enhanced misdemeanor treatment when simple battery is committed between certain people with specified family or household relationships.
The statute includes, among others:
- past or present spouses;
- people who are parents of the same child;
- parents and children;
- stepparents and stepchildren;
- foster parents and foster children;
- and certain other people who live or formerly lived together, subject to the statute's specific language.
So a simple-battery allegation arising from a domestic dispute should not be treated like an ordinary argument between strangers.
There can be additional consequences involving:
- no-contact conditions;
- protective orders;
- restrictions involving a residence;
- parenting or custody issues;
- firearms;
- employment;
- future family-law litigation;
- and other collateral consequences.
A person facing a domestic-related accusation should therefore get the case evaluated on its actual facts, rather than assuming that the word "misdemeanor" means the matter is insignificant.
The Gwinnett County Connection Matters
A criminal case is not occurring in a vacuum.
If your arrest occurred in Gwinnett County, your case may eventually involve the Gwinnett County State Court and the Gwinnett County Solicitor's Office, depending on the charge and procedural posture.
Gwinnett County identifies simple battery among the misdemeanor crimes prosecuted by the Solicitor's Office in State Court.
The county's court system is centered in Lawrenceville, and the Gwinnett County Detention Center and associated court facilities handle various criminal proceedings. The county's published schedule identifies first-appearance hearings and other criminal proceedings at the detention center.
That local procedural reality matters.
Someone arrested in Duluth may have a very different experience from what his neighbor remembers from a criminal case in another Georgia county.
Likewise, a person arrested in Lawrenceville should not assume that something he saw on television—or heard from a friend who was arrested in Cobb County—accurately describes his Gwinnett County case.
Criminal procedure is not a game of telephone.
You want to know what your case says.
Where Do Gwinnett County Simple Battery Cases Go?
Many misdemeanor criminal matters are prosecuted in Gwinnett County State Court.
The Gwinnett County Solicitor's Office states that it prosecutes State Court misdemeanors, including simple battery, battery, simple assault, domestic-violence offenses, and stalking.
That does not necessarily mean the case begins there.
An arrest can generate several stages before the case reaches its ultimate resolution.
Depending on the circumstances, you may encounter:
1. Arrest
The police take you into custody.
2. Booking
You are processed through the jail.
3. First appearance / bond proceedings
The court addresses your immediate custody status and other issues.
4. Charging
The State formally accuses you of an offense.
5. Arraignment
You are formally advised of the charge and enter a plea, depending upon the procedural posture.
6. Discovery
The defense obtains evidence available from the prosecution, subject to the governing rules.
7. Pretrial litigation
Depending on the facts, there may be motions, evidentiary disputes, negotiations, or other proceedings.
8. Resolution
The case may ultimately be resolved through dismissal, a negotiated disposition, plea, or trial, depending on the circumstances.
Gwinnett County's State Court specifically provides for criminal entries of appearance, and its published forms include criminal documents such as applications for appointed counsel, waiver of arraignment, waiver of counsel, and first-offender sentencing forms.
The important point is this:
Your arrest is the beginning of the legal problem—not necessarily the end of it.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Simple Battery Arrest?
1. Do Not Try to "Talk Your Way Out" of the Case
This is probably the first piece of practical advice we would give most people.
Once you are under investigation or have been arrested, your instinct may be:
"Let me explain what really happened."
Understandable.
But criminal investigations are not customer-service complaints.
You are not required to win the argument with the police officer on the side of the road.
And every additional statement can create another piece of evidence.
If you are being questioned about an alleged battery, exercise your legal rights and speak with a criminal defense attorney before making substantive statements about the incident.
2. Do Not Contact the Alleged Victim to "Straighten Things Out"
This is another common mistake.
You may think:
"I'll just call her and explain."
Or:
"I'll apologize and we'll be fine."
Or:
"I'll tell him to drop the charges."
That can create an entirely new set of problems.
Your communication could later be characterized as:
- intimidation;
- harassment;
- an admission;
- an attempt to influence a witness;
- or a violation of a no-contact condition.
Even an innocent message can look very different when printed on a piece of paper and placed in a prosecutor's file.
If a court has imposed a no-contact condition, violating it can create additional legal trouble.
Do not improvise.
Talk to your lawyer first.
3. Preserve Evidence Immediately
This is where common sense and good criminal defense overlap.
Think about what existed before the police arrived.
Was there:
- surveillance video?
- Ring-camera footage?
- cell-phone video?
- text messages?
- photographs?
- Snapchat messages?
- Instagram messages?
- Facebook messages?
- emails?
- 911 calls?
- eyewitnesses?
- store security footage?
- apartment-complex cameras?
- restaurant cameras?
- parking-lot cameras?
- photographs of your own injuries?
- photographs of property damage?
- medical records?
Preserve it.
Don't alter it.
Don't "clean up" your phone.
Don't delete embarrassing messages because you think they have nothing to do with the case.
Don't ask friends to delete things.
And don't manufacture evidence.
Instead, preserve what actually exists and allow your lawyer to determine what is legally relevant.
4. Write Down What Happened While Your Memory Is Fresh
You don't have to write a bestselling memoir.
In fact, please don't.
Write down the facts.
Where were you?
Who was present?
Who arrived first?
What was said?
Who touched whom?
What happened immediately before the physical contact?
What happened immediately afterward?
Where were the witnesses standing?
Was alcohol involved?
Were there cameras?
Did you call 911?
Did someone else call 911?
Did the other person have injuries?
Did you have injuries?
Did you leave?
Did the police arrive?
What did you tell the officer?
What did the other person tell the officer?
What did witnesses tell the officer?
These details can become increasingly difficult to reconstruct weeks or months later.
Memory is not a video camera.
Get the basic chronology down while you still remember it.
5. Do Not Post About the Case on Social Media
This one should be obvious.
It isn't.
People post things like:
"Can't believe the police arrested me."
Or:
"She knows exactly what happened."
Or:
"Wait until everyone hears my side."
Or:
"My lawyer is going to destroy this case."
Don't.
Your criminal case is not the place to audition for Facebook's comment section.
Even a seemingly harmless post can become evidence.
And remember: deleting something after the fact doesn't necessarily make the problem disappear.
The safest approach is usually to stop discussing the case publicly.
What Does the Prosecutor Have to Prove?
This is one of the most important questions in the entire case.
The existence of an arrest does not establish guilt.
The prosecution must prove the charged offense under the applicable legal standard.
For simple battery, the statutory language focuses on intentional conduct.
That means the defense should not merely shrug and say:
"Well, there was contact."
The precise legal theory matters.
For example:
Was the contact intentional?
A person can stumble.
A person can be pushed into someone.
Two people can collide.
A person can move his arm while attempting to leave an altercation.
Not every physical contact automatically establishes criminal intent.
Was the contact insulting or provoking?
That is part of the statutory language for one form of simple battery.
The surrounding circumstances matter.
Was physical harm intentionally caused?
That is the second statutory route.
Again, intent matters.
The statute itself is the starting point for analyzing the accusation.
Self-Defense Can Be Extremely Important
Suppose somebody attacks you.
You push the person away.
The police arrive several minutes later.
The other person says:
"He attacked me."
You say:
"No. He attacked me first."
Now what?
This is precisely why the investigation matters.
Georgia law recognizes circumstances in which a person may use force to defend himself or herself.
But self-defense is not simply a magic phrase that makes a case disappear.
The facts have to support the defense.
Questions can include:
- Who initiated the physical confrontation?
- Was there an actual or reasonably perceived threat?
- What force was used?
- Why was it used?
- Was the response connected to the threat?
- Did the threat continue?
- Were there witnesses?
- Is there video?
- Are there photographs?
- What happened immediately before and after the incident?
A criminal defense lawyer should investigate the entire event, rather than merely reading the final paragraph of a police report.
The Police Report Is Not the Same Thing as the Truth
This is an important concept for anyone arrested for simple battery.
Police officers frequently arrive after the important events have already occurred.
They may have:
- one person yelling;
- another person crying;
- witnesses talking over one another;
- limited video;
- damaged property;
- conflicting stories;
- adrenaline;
- alcohol;
- and incomplete information.
The officer then has to make decisions.
That doesn't mean the officer acted improperly.
It means the police report may be based upon information available at the time.
A defense attorney's job is to determine what evidence exists beyond that initial account.
That may include body-camera footage, 911 recordings, photographs, surveillance footage, witness interviews, text messages, medical records, and other evidence.
The difference between what someone told the officer and what can actually be proven in court can be substantial.
"But the Other Person Wants to Drop the Charges"
This happens all the time.
Someone gets arrested.
The alleged victim later says:
"I don't want to prosecute."
That may be helpful.
But it does not necessarily mean the criminal case simply vanishes.
In a criminal prosecution, the State—not merely the alleged victim—controls the prosecution.
Gwinnett County's Solicitor's Office prosecutes misdemeanor offenses in State Court.
So don't assume:
"She isn't pressing charges anymore, so I'm automatically free."
That is not how you should approach the situation.
Instead, tell your lawyer.
Your attorney can determine what the alleged victim's position actually means for the case and what options may exist.
What Evidence Can Matter in a Gwinnett County Simple Battery Case?
A strong defense investigation may examine evidence such as:
Police body-camera footage
What did officers actually see and hear?
911 recordings
Who called?
What did the caller say?
What did the caller sound like?
What facts were reported before police arrived?
Surveillance footage
Was the incident captured by:
- a business;
- an apartment complex;
- a neighborhood camera;
- a gas station;
- a restaurant;
- a parking garage;
- or a nearby residence?
Cell-phone recordings
Did someone record the incident?
Did someone record only the end?
Does the recording show what happened immediately beforehand?
Text messages
Messages before and after the incident can sometimes provide important context.
Photographs
Pictures of injuries—or the absence of apparent injuries—may become relevant depending upon the allegations.
Witnesses
A witness who actually saw the physical encounter can be extremely important.
But witness quality matters.
A person who saw the entire incident from six feet away is different from somebody who heard yelling from the other side of a building.
The "Before and After" Can Be as Important as the Contact
One of the mistakes people make when thinking about battery cases is focusing on the two seconds of alleged contact.
But lawyers need to understand the surrounding sequence.
Imagine:
6:14:01 — Argument begins
6:14:18 — Person A moves toward Person B
6:14:22 — Person B backs away
6:14:25 — Physical contact occurs
6:14:27 — Person B walks away
6:14:31 — Person A follows
6:15:10 — 911 call
That sequence may tell a much more complicated story than:
"John punched Bill."
Criminal defense is often about reconstructing the movie rather than accepting someone's one-sentence description of a single frame.
Common Situations That Lead to Simple Battery Arrests in Gwinnett County
Simple battery allegations can arise from remarkably ordinary human situations.
Domestic arguments
Spouses, former spouses, co-parents, dating partners, and household members can become involved in emotionally charged disputes.
Bar and restaurant confrontations
Alcohol, arguments, jealousy, insults, and crowded spaces can create chaotic circumstances.
Neighbor disputes
Noise complaints, property-line disputes, parking disagreements, and longstanding neighborhood conflicts can suddenly turn physical.
Road-rage incidents
A traffic disagreement can move from one vehicle to a parking lot or roadside.
Workplace disputes
An argument between coworkers can become a criminal case if physical contact is alleged.
School or youth-sports conflicts
Arguments involving parents, coaches, or other adults can result in police involvement.
Parking-lot confrontations
These cases can be especially evidence-dependent because surveillance footage may exist.
Family gatherings
Thanksgiving dinner can apparently become many things.
Unfortunately, sometimes it becomes a criminal case.
What Is the Difference Between Simple Battery and Battery?
Georgia has separate statutes for simple battery and battery.
Simple battery is governed by O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.
Battery is governed by O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1.
Aggravated battery is separately addressed under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-24.
The distinctions matter because different offenses can involve different required elements and potential consequences.
Do not assume that the word "battery" on a piece of paper tells you everything you need to know.
Read the actual charge.
Then have a lawyer analyze the statute and the allegations supporting it.
What About a Simple Battery Charge and a Domestic Violence Case?
"Domestic violence" is often used conversationally to describe an incident involving family or household members.
But the actual criminal charge can be something more specific—such as simple battery.
That distinction matters.
A domestic-related simple battery allegation can create problems extending beyond the criminal courtroom.
For example, the underlying incident may later become relevant to:
- divorce;
- child custody;
- visitation;
- protective-order litigation;
- family-law negotiations;
- employment;
- housing;
- or other legal proceedings.
This is why somebody facing a domestic-related battery allegation should think beyond:
"How do I get through this court date?"
The bigger question can be:
"How do I protect my future while this case is pending?"
Can a Simple Battery Case Be Dismissed?
Potentially, yes.
But nobody should promise you that a case will be dismissed.
The possible resolution of a criminal case depends upon the facts, evidence, charging decisions, criminal history, witnesses, procedural issues, and many other factors.
A defense attorney may investigate whether there are grounds to pursue:
- dismissal;
- reduction of charges;
- negotiated resolution;
- diversionary options where legally and practically available;
- a plea;
- or trial.
The correct strategy depends upon the actual case.
A lawyer who tells every client the same answer before reviewing the evidence isn't really analyzing the case.
Can You Fight a Simple Battery Charge at Trial?
Yes.
A defendant does not have to plead guilty merely because he or she was arrested.
A criminal case can proceed to trial when appropriate.
The defense may challenge:
- identification;
- witness credibility;
- conflicting statements;
- the alleged victim's version of events;
- police observations;
- physical evidence;
- video interpretation;
- the prosecution's proof of intent;
- the alleged nature of the contact;
- and other elements or evidence relevant to the charged offense.
But trial is not something to threaten casually.
A competent defense strategy begins long before anyone says:
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury..."
The case needs to be investigated first.
What About a First-Time Offender?
A clean criminal history can be relevant.
But "first offense" does not automatically mean:
"The judge will dismiss it."
Nor does it automatically mean:
"You'll go to jail."
Those are case-specific questions.
A first-time defendant may have different options or negotiating considerations from someone with a lengthy criminal history, but the actual facts and circumstances still matter.
Gwinnett County State Court also publishes forms relating to First Offender Sentencing, among its criminal forms.
Whether a particular defendant should consider a particular disposition is a question for individualized legal advice.
Should You Hire a Lawyer for a Gwinnett County Simple Battery Case?
That is a decision each person must make based on his or her circumstances.
But there are good reasons to have counsel evaluate a criminal case early.
A lawyer can potentially:
- examine the accusation;
- review available evidence;
- identify witnesses;
- investigate video;
- evaluate defenses;
- communicate with the prosecution;
- monitor court dates;
- analyze the charging document;
- advise you about plea options;
- challenge inappropriate evidence where legally justified;
- prepare motions;
- and prepare the case for trial when appropriate.
Perhaps most importantly, a lawyer can help keep you from making a bad situation worse.
Criminal cases reward preparation.
They do not reward panic.
What Not to Do After a Gwinnett County Simple Battery Arrest
Here is the short version.
Don't:
- threaten the alleged victim;
- contact the alleged victim repeatedly;
- post about the case online;
- delete potentially relevant evidence;
- ask witnesses to change their stories;
- lie to your lawyer;
- lie to the police;
- ignore court paperwork;
- miss court;
- assume the charge will "just go away";
- assume the alleged victim controls the prosecution;
- assume no injury means no crime;
- assume a misdemeanor cannot seriously affect your life;
- or wait until the morning of court to start thinking about your defense.
Instead:
- preserve evidence;
- remain calm;
- follow your bond conditions;
- avoid unnecessary discussion of the case;
- document what you remember;
- identify witnesses;
- and speak with a criminal defense attorney.
A Gwinnett County Simple Battery Defense Starts With Questions
At The Sherman Law Group, we don't believe a criminal case should be analyzed by looking at the accusation and stopping there.
We want to know:
What actually happened?
Then:
What can be proven?
Those are two different questions.
We want to know whether there is video.
We want to know what the 911 caller said.
We want to know what the officer saw.
We want to know what witnesses saw.
We want to know whether the witnesses agree.
We want to know whether the alleged victim's account changed.
We want to know whether there was an argument beforehand.
We want to know who initiated the confrontation.
We want to know whether self-defense may apply.
We want to know exactly what physical contact is alleged.
We want to know whether the charging document tracks the statute.
And we want to know what evidence exists that might tell a different story.
That is not about creating a story.
It is about determining whether the State can prove its story.
Gwinnett County Is a Big Place. Your Case Is Still Personal.
Gwinnett County is not just one courthouse and one neighborhood.
A criminal case can arise anywhere from Lawrenceville to Duluth, Suwanee to Buford, Norcross to Snellville, Lilburn to Peachtree Corners, Sugar Hill to Dacula, Grayson to Loganville, and throughout the surrounding communities.
But your case is not a statistic.
Maybe you have never been arrested before.
Maybe you have a career.
Maybe you own a business.
Maybe you are a parent.
Maybe you are a professional.
Maybe you made a terrible mistake.
Maybe you didn't commit the offense at all.
Maybe the police received only one side of the story.
Maybe the incident was captured on video.
Maybe the case is considerably more complicated than the arrest report makes it appear.
The law needs to be applied to the facts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Simple Battery Arrests in Gwinnett County
Is simple battery a felony in Georgia?
Ordinary simple battery is generally a misdemeanor, although Georgia law provides enhanced misdemeanor treatment in specified circumstances. More serious conduct can potentially result in different charges.
Can you go to jail for simple battery?
A misdemeanor generally carries a statutory maximum of up to 12 months of confinement and/or a fine of up to $1,000, subject to applicable exceptions and sentencing law.
That does not mean every person convicted of simple battery receives the maximum sentence.
Do you need an injury for simple battery?
Not necessarily. Georgia's statute covers intentionally making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature as well as intentionally causing physical harm.
What if the alleged victim has no injuries?
That fact may be relevant, but it does not automatically eliminate a simple-battery charge.
What if the alleged victim wants the case dismissed?
The alleged victim's wishes may be relevant, but the criminal prosecution is handled by the State. Do not assume that a request to "drop charges" automatically ends the case.
What if I acted in self-defense?
Self-defense may be an important issue depending on the facts. Your lawyer should investigate who initiated the confrontation, what threat existed, what force was used, and what evidence supports your account.
What if there is surveillance video?
Tell your lawyer immediately. Video can sometimes provide critical evidence about what occurred before, during, and after the alleged incident.
Should I talk to the police after the arrest?
Do not assume that giving a detailed statement is in your best interest. Exercise your rights and obtain legal advice before making substantive statements about the alleged offense.
What if I already talked to the police?
Tell your lawyer exactly what you said. Do not hide the conversation from your attorney.
What if the other person started the fight?
That could be important to a self-defense analysis. The entire sequence needs to be investigated rather than reduced to a single allegation.
Can text messages help my defense?
Potentially. Messages may provide context about the relationship, the events leading up to the incident, or what happened afterward. Preserve them.
Can text messages hurt my defense?
Absolutely. That is another reason not to delete, alter, or selectively present electronic evidence.
Can a simple battery charge affect my job?
It potentially can. The consequences depend upon the disposition, the job, licensing requirements, background checks, and other circumstances.
Can a simple battery charge affect a professional license?
Potentially. The answer depends upon the profession, licensing authority, and disposition of the case.
Can a simple battery arrest affect a divorce or custody case?
It potentially can, particularly where the alleged incident involves a spouse, co-parent, child, or household member. Family-law consequences should be considered alongside the criminal case.
Do I have to go to court?
You must comply with your legal obligations and any court orders applicable to your case. Do not assume that a lawyer's involvement means you can ignore a court date.
What happens at arraignment?
The precise procedure depends on the case and court. Generally, arraignment is the stage at which the defendant is formally addressed regarding the charge and plea.
Can my lawyer appear for me?
That depends upon the nature of the proceeding, the court's rules, and the circumstances of the case. Do not assume that every court appearance can be waived.
Can I get a simple battery case reduced?
A reduction may sometimes be possible, but it depends entirely upon the facts, evidence, prosecution, criminal history, and available legal options.
Can a simple battery case be tried before a jury?
Depending upon the procedural posture and applicable law, misdemeanor criminal cases can proceed to trial. Your lawyer can explain the trial rights and strategic considerations specific to your case.
The Bottom Line: Don't Let the Word "Simple" Fool You
A simple battery arrest can be embarrassing.
It can be frightening.
It can be confusing.
And it can make perfectly rational people do irrational things.
Don't call the alleged victim 25 times.
Don't write a 2,000-word Facebook post explaining everything.
Don't threaten the witness.
Don't delete your text messages.
Don't assume the police report is the final word.
And don't assume that because the charge says "simple", the case is simple.
The better approach is much less dramatic:
Slow down. Preserve evidence. Protect your rights. Understand the accusation. Investigate the facts. Get competent legal advice.
Georgia's Simple Battery statute is specific about what the State must prove, and Gwinnett County has a substantial misdemeanor criminal docket through its State Court system.
That means your case deserves more than a shrug and a guess about what will happen.
Arrested for Simple Battery in Gwinnett County? Call The Sherman Law Group.
At The Sherman Law Group, we represent people facing criminal accusations in Georgia.
We understand that the person sitting across from us is not merely a case number.
He may be a father.
She may be a mother.
He may be a business owner.
She may be a nurse.
He may be an executive.
She may be a college student.
He may be someone who has never seen the inside of a courtroom.
And sometimes, the person simply needs someone to slow the situation down, examine the evidence, and determine what the law actually says.
That is what criminal defense is about.
We investigate. We analyze. We challenge the evidence. We prepare. And when appropriate, we fight.
If you have been arrested for simple battery in Gwinnett County, don't wait until the day before court to start taking the case seriously.
Whether your arrest occurred in Lawrenceville, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford, Norcross, Snellville, Lilburn, Peachtree Corners, Sugar Hill, Dacula, Grayson, or elsewhere in Gwinnett County, The Sherman Law Group can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your arrest and discuss the legal options available to you.
Your arrest is an accusation—not the final chapter.
Get the facts on the table.
Get the evidence examined.
Get the law analyzed.
And get your case taken seriously.
Contact The Sherman Law Group to schedule a confidential consultation regarding your Gwinnett County simple battery.