[DIMPLES1006]

Recently I was cited for battery (family violence) while my children were watching. I was told in the state of Georgia that is considered cruelty to children and they can be taken into foster care. This is my first offense. What can I expect on my court date? Will my children be taken, can I be arrested?

[aaron]

This is my first offense. What can I expect on my court date? Will my children be taken, can I be arrested?

Your first court date will probably be an arraignment, when you will be offered the opportunity to enter a plea or to schedule your case for trial. You would be well-served to consult with a local criminal defense attorney before that time.

If you have been issued a citation, that citation will probably indicate your court date or inform you of how you can or will obtain your court date. If you don't appear for a required court date, you will likely become the subject of a bench warrant.

There will likely be a separate child protective investigation. If your children have not yet been taken into custody, that is probably not the plan; but you would be expected to cooperate with the remedial measures requested by the child protective authorities, and would benefit from consulting a local lawyer about what you can expect from them.