Bodily harm in Georgia — Articles 117, 118, 120
Intentional bodily harm has three levels: minor (Article 120), less serious (Article 118) and serious (Article 117). The level is set by a forensic medical examination — and that decides which article and which penalty apply.
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What is the penalty
| When | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Minor harm — short-term damage to health (Art. 120) | A fine, corrective labour for up to 6 months, house arrest from 6 months to 2 years, or imprisonment from 1 to 3 years |
| Minor harm with aggravating circumstances — e.g. against a family member, as a group, out of hooligan motives | Imprisonment from 3 to 5 years |
| Less serious harm — long-term damage to health (Art. 118) | Corrective labour for up to 18 months, house arrest from 6 months to 2 years, or imprisonment from 2 to 4 years |
| Less serious harm with aggravating circumstances | Imprisonment from 4 to 6 years |
| Serious harm — dangerous to life, or loss of an organ or its function (Art. 117) | Imprisonment from 4 to 7 years |
| Serious harm causing death | Imprisonment from 5 to 8 years |
| Serious harm with aggravating circumstances | Imprisonment from 9 to 13 years; if it caused death — 10 to 14 years |
Penalties follow the current text of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In a specific case the outcome depends on the circumstances, compensation of damage, a plea agreement and other factors.
What matters for the defence
- The forensic medical report — severity and cause of the injury; an alternative examination if needed
- Self-defence — whether you were protecting yourself or someone else
- Who started the conflict: video and witnesses
- Whether the aggravating circumstance is well founded
If you are accused or arrested
- Use your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer — from the first contact with the investigating authority
- Don't sign any document you don't understand
- You must be charged within 48 hours of arrest, and within the next 24 hours a court decides on a preventive measure
- Decide on compensating the damage or settling with the victim together with your lawyer
If you are a victim
- Call 112 or go to the police or the prosecutor's office
- Keep the evidence: photos, video, messages, receipts, witnesses' contacts
- Ask for victim status — it gives you rights in the case, for example to be informed about its progress
- You can claim compensation for the damage — a lawyer will help
Questions & answers
What do minor, less serious and serious harm mean?
Minor harm causes short-term damage to health, less serious harm long-term damage, and serious harm is dangerous to life or causes, for example, the loss of an organ or its function. A forensic examination decides the level.
I was defending myself — will I still be punished?
Harm caused within the limits of necessary self-defence is not a crime. The key is that the defence was proportionate to the attack — a lawyer proves this with evidence.
What should a victim of a beating do?
See a doctor and go to the police straight away — recording the injuries and the forensic examination are decisive for the case.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Related practice area: Violent crimes
Crimes and penalties
Theft
Article 177Secretly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 10 years, depending on the damage and circumstances.Robbery (open theft)
Article 178Openly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 11 years, depending on the damage, violence and other factors.Violent robbery
Article 179An attack to take property, with violence dangerous to life or health or the threat of it. Penalty: 5 to 15 years.Extortion
Article 181Demanding money or property under threat of violence, damage or spreading compromising information. Up to 9 years.Embezzlement
Article 182Unlawfully keeping or spending property or money you were entrusted with — often at work. Up to 11 years.Damage to property
Article 187Damaging or destroying someone else's property causing significant damage. Penalties from a fine to 12 years.Hooliganism
Article 239A gross breach of public order with violence or the threat of violence. Penalties from a fine to 7 years.Need legal advice? Talk to an attorney today.
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