Georgia Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences

Understand how Georgia defines and penalizes felony offenses.

By , Attorney · Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Updated October 31, 2022

Georgia defines a felony as any "crime punishable by death, by imprisonment for life, or by imprisonment for more than 12 months." For offenses with potential jail time of a year or less, the law designates these crimes as misdemeanors.

Georgia has some of the toughest felony sentencing laws in the country, including two-strikes laws, mandatory minimum sentences, and non-parolable offenses. Read on to learn how felony sentencing, probation, and parole work in Georgia.

Georgia Felony Crimes and Penalties

Unlike many states, Georgia doesn't divide felony crimes into classifications, such as class A or level 1. Rather, statutes specify the maximum penalty (such as "up to 40 years in prison") allowed on a crime-by-crime basis. Some crimes may also be subject to enhanced penalties, such as mandatory minimum sentences.

Examples of Felony Offenses and Punishments in Georgia

Here are some examples of maximum felony penalties:

  • Death penalty: murder with aggravating circumstances
  • Life imprisonment: forcible rape, kidnapping for ransom, second-degree murder
  • 40-year felony: terroristic threats resulting in injury, using an explosive to kill or injure someone
  • 30-year felony: enticement of child under 16, incest
  • 20-year felony: aggravated assault or battery, armed carjacking
  • 10-year felony: aggravated stalking, theft by extortion
  • 5-year felony: obstructing a police officer, sexual battery of a child under 16

Reducible Felonies Punished as Misdemeanors

In Georgia, a judge may reduce the sentence of a defendant convicted of a felony punishable by a maximum of ten years or less in prison to a misdemeanor. These offenses are commonly referred to as "reducible felonies."

Felony Enhancements and Mandatory Sentences in Georgia

In addition to these maximum prison sentences shown above, offenders convicted of serious violent felonies (known as the "seven deadly sins"), repeat felony offenses, sex crimes, and hate crimes may face enhanced penalties, such as mandatory minimums, increased maximums, and parole ineligibility. Below are some examples.

Serious Violent Felonies in Georgia (Seven Deadly Sins)

Anyone convicted of a serious violent felony—one of the "seven deadly sins"—is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence. The seven deadly sins are murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, and aggravated child molestation. The law imposes a mandatory life sentence for a murder conviction. A defendant convicted of any of the remaining six deadly sins faces a 10- or 25-year minimum sentence without parole for a first conviction and life imprisonment for a second conviction.

Repeat Offenders in Georgia

Georgia carries harsh penalty enhancements for repeat felony offenders. For a second felony conviction, a judge must impose the maximum sentence allowed by the law. Offenders on their fourth felony lose parole eligibility.

Sex Offenses, Hate Crimes, and Other Felony Enhancements

Below are additional felony enhancements found in Georgia law.

Sex offenses. A defendant convicted of a sex offense (defined in law) faces a presumptive, mandatory minimum sentence that doesn't qualify for probation.

Hate crimes. If the judge or jury determines that the defendant intentionally targeted a victim because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, a mandatory minimum sentence of two years applies.

Other enhancements. Certain felonies impose enhanced penalties or carry mandatory minimums based on aggravating factors in a crime, such as committing an armed offense or offense against a protected class of victims (such as a police officer or elderly victim). For instance, a person convicted of aggravated assault faces a sentence of one to 20 years in prison. The minimum sentence increases from one to ten years if the assault was against a public safety officer and involved the discharge of a firearm.

Felony Sentencing in Georgia

A defendant convicted of a felony will either be sentenced immediately or later at a sentencing hearing. The judge can impose any sentence up to the maximum authorized by the law (including enhancements). Typical sentencing considerations will include the severity and circumstances of the current offense, the defendant's criminal record, and victims' statements.

How Does Felony Sentencing Work in Georgia?

When sentencing, the judge must specify a fixed term, such as 15 years' incarceration. The judge can suspend, probate, or execute all or any portion of the sentence term unless restricted by law.

When suspending or probating a sentence, the judge announces a sentence but holds off on sending the offender to prison. Generally, the judge will order conditions that the offender must abide by to remain in the community and avoid serving time in prison. Those serving a probated sentence will also be subject to felony probation supervision.

An executed sentence means to carry out the sentence and send the offender to prison. The offender must serve the entire sentence unless released earlier by a parole board.

Felony Probation in Georgia

Defendants on felony probation have most or all of their prison sentences put on hold. The threat of prison time looms over their heads as an incentive to comply with their probation terms. Violating probation means the judge can revoke the probated sentence and send or return the defendant to prison.

Standard probation terms generally include reporting to a probation officer, going to work or school, supporting legal dependents, not violating the law, paying restitution, performing community service, and undergoing drug or alcohol testing. Special conditions might include no-contact orders, electronic monitoring, counseling, or addiction treatment.

Georgia has several different types of probation programs, including standard probation, probation boot camps, special probation, sex offender probation, and sentencing options systems (allowing a continuum of sanctions for violations).

Sentencing Alternatives in Georgia

Georgia law also offers several sentencing alternatives to prison for first-time offenders and high-risk offenders whose crimes stem from underlying issues such as addiction or mental health.

First offenders. First-offender sentencing options apply only to those charged with a first non-violent felony or first low-level drug possession felony. Instead of entering a conviction, the judge may suspend the proceedings and place the defendant on probation. If the defendant successfully completes the probation terms, the judge dismisses the case entirely and the offender avoids a conviction and a criminal record.

Accountability courts. Accountability courts aim to address a high-risk offender's underlying addiction or mental health issues. These courts involve a team of professionals who work together to develop a treatment plan and hold the offender accountable. Common accountability courts include drug courts, DUI courts, mental health courts, and veterans courts. They typically involve intensive supervision, immediate sanctions, and frequent court appearances. Eligibility depends on the specific court's rules and referral requirements.

Felony Parole in Georgia

If the judge executes the sentence, the offender goes to prison and faces the full sentence term behind bars unless released earlier by the parole board. Most inmates will be considered for parole at least once during their sentence. Some, but not all, inmates become eligible for automatic parole consideration after serving one-third of their sentence.

Granted. For those granted and released on parole, most will be subject to parole conditions and supervision for the remaining length of their sentence term. While on parole, the parolee must abide by the terms of their release. A violation of those terms can mean revocation of parole and return to prison.

Denied. If denied parole, the inmate must wait another five to eight years for parole consideration.

The Value of Good Representation

If you're arrested or charged with a felony, contact a criminal defense attorney. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the criminal justice process and protect your rights. A felony conviction can mean a lengthy prison sentence and impact future charging and sentencing decisions.

You should also talk to your lawyer about the collateral consequences of a felony conviction. Being a convicted felon can hurt you when you are looking for a job or applying to rent a house or apartment. Convicted felons lose the right to vote, carry firearms, and obtain certain professional licenses. Expungement options (called record restrictions in Georgia) are very limited for felonies.

(O.C.G.A. §§ 15-1-15; 16-1-3; 16-5-2; 17-10-1, 17-10-1.4, 17-10-6.1, 17-10-6.2, 17-10-7, 17-10-8, 17-10-11, 17-10-17, 17-10-20; 42-8-22, 42-8-35, 42-8-35.1, 42-8-37, 42-8-60; 42-9-40, 42-9-44, 42-9-45 (2022).)

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