Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer in Statesboro

A Former Prosecutor Now Fighting for the Accused in Bulloch County

A sexual assault allegation sets off one of the most serious criminal processes Georgia law can bring against a person. At The Brannen Law Office P.C., Attorney Scott Brannen brings over 25 years of criminal defense experience to these cases, along with more than a decade he spent on the other side as a prosecuting attorney. That background shapes how we evaluate evidence, anticipate the state’s strategy, and build a defense for each client we represent in Statesboro and throughout Bulloch County.

Felony sexual assault cases in this area are prosecuted in Bulloch County Superior Court, which sits within the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit alongside Screven, Jenkins, and Effingham counties. Knowing how that court operates, who prosecutes there, and what the state must prove is foundational to the work we do.

If you or someone you care about is facing a sexual assault charge in the Statesboro area, contact our office today at (912) 225-0066 to schedule a personal consultation. The earlier we can assess your situation, the more options we can explore.

How Georgia Law Charges Sexual Assault Conduct

Georgia has no single criminal offense titled “sexual assault.” Conduct described that way in everyday language is prosecuted under several distinct statutes, each with its own elements and penalties. Understanding which charge you’re facing matters because the state must prove every element of that specific offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charges we most commonly see in these cases include:

• Rape (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-1): Defined as carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will
• Sexual Battery (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22.1): Intentional physical contact with the intimate parts of another person without consent
• Aggravated Sexual Battery (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22.2): Penetration of the sexual organ or anus with a foreign object without consent
• Sodomy & Aggravated Sodomy (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-2): Sexual contact between the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another; the aggravated form involves force, the absence of consent, or a victim under age 10

Sentencing Ranges & Sex Offender Registration

The consequences of a conviction extend well beyond any prison sentence. A rape conviction under O.C.G.A. § 16-6-1 generally carries a sentence of death, life imprisonment without parole, life imprisonment, or a split sentence of at least 25 years followed by probation for life. Aggravated sodomy carries a minimum split sentence of 25 years in prison followed by lifetime probation, or life imprisonment. These are statutory ranges; what applies in any individual case depends on the specific facts and circumstances.

Most convictions for these offenses also trigger mandatory registration on Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry, often for life. Registered sex offenders are generally prohibited from living or working within 1,000 feet of schools, childcare facilities, and other locations where children are present. That restriction reshapes where a person can live and work long after any prison term ends.

Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes

Sexual assault cases in Georgia aren’t always charged immediately after an alleged incident. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-3-1, prosecution for forcible rape generally must begin within 15 years of the offense, a longer window than the seven-year period that applies to most other offenses punishable by life imprisonment. When the alleged victim was under 16 at the time, many felony sex offense charges carry a seven-year limitations period that doesn’t begin to run until the victim turns 16, under O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1.

Georgia removes the statute of limitations entirely for rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, and aggravated child molestation when DNA evidence identifies the accused. Charges for those offenses can be filed years or even decades after the alleged conduct. If you’ve been contacted by law enforcement about an older allegation, speaking with a sexual assault defense attorney in Statesboro as early as possible can be critical.

Why Clients in Statesboro Choose The Brannen Law Office P.C.

Attorney Brannen is a second-generation Statesboro attorney with deep roots in this community. His years as a prosecutor gave him direct experience evaluating the strength of criminal cases from the state’s perspective, and his subsequent service as a part-time judge deepened that insight further. That experience now works in favor of the people he defends. When we review the evidence in a sexual assault case, we’re assessing it the same way a prosecutor would, which means we can identify weaknesses before they surface at trial.

We also represent Georgia Southern and Ogeechee Tech students facing criminal allegations. For students, a charge like this often runs alongside university disciplinary proceedings under the student conduct code. Those processes move on a different timeline from criminal court and carry their own consequences. We address both.

The Brannen Law Office P.C. holds a 9.4 Superb Avvo Rating and the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award, reflecting the firm’s record of client advocacy in criminal defense matters.

Building a Sexual Assault Defense in Georgia

Every case starts with a personal consultation. We review the charging documents, the available evidence, and the circumstances specific to your situation before recommending any course of action. There’s no single formula for these cases, and we don’t treat them that way.

Depending on the facts, several defense approaches may be available:

• Consent: Challenging whether the alleged conduct was in fact non-consensual
• Mistaken identity: Contesting whether the accused is the person who committed the alleged act
• Alibi: Establishing that the accused was not present at the time and place alleged
• Sufficiency of the evidence: Identifying gaps or weaknesses in what the state can actually prove

Some cases are better resolved through negotiation; others require aggressive litigation in Bulloch County Superior Court. The strategy we develop is built around your specific facts, not a generic playbook.

Speak with a Statesboro Sexual Assault Defense Attorney

A charge under any of Georgia’s sexual offense statutes puts your freedom, your record, and your future at risk. The sooner you have qualified legal representation, the sooner we can start evaluating the state’s case and identifying your options.

Contact The Brannen Law Office P.C. today at (912) 225-0066 to schedule a personal consultation with Attorney Scott Brannen. We represent clients in Statesboro, Bulloch County, Brooklet, and throughout the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit.