In Georgia, there are three types of child cruelty- 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd degree.

• 1^st degree child cruelty occurs when a parent, guardian, or other person supervising a child willfully deprives a child of necessary sustenance to the point that the child’s health or well-being is jeopardized OR when a person maliciously causes a child under 18 cruel or excessive mental or physical pain. 1^st degree child cruelty is a felony and, if you are found guilty, you will be punished by 5 to 20 years in prison.
• 2^nd degree child cruelty occurs when a person acts or fails to act in a way that demonstrates a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others and that act or failure to act causes cruel or excessive mental or physical pain to a child under 18 years old. 2^nd degree child cruelty is also a felony and, if you are found guilty, you will be punished by 1 to 10 years in prison.
• 3^rd degree child cruelty occurs when a person is the primary aggressor intentionally allows a child under the age of 18 to witness the commission of a forcible felony or family violence battery OR when a person knows that a child under the age of 18 is present and sees or hears the person commit a forcible felony or family violence battery. A person convicted of 3^rd degree child cruelty is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

As you can see, the punishment for child cruelty can be severe. It is important that you hire a lawyer experienced in defending child cruelty cases. The lawyers at W. Scott Smith will zealously defend you against child cruelty allegations. If you find yourself accused of child cruelty, call our office at 404-581-0999 today for a free consultation.