Domestic violence cases account for the majority of acquittals

Acquittals by the Common Courts of Georgia have increased in recent years, albeit primarily due to acquittals in domestic violence cases.
The article contains official statistical data From 2007 to 2021, defining the trends of acquittals in first-instance courts.

1. Acquittal verdict in 2007
The Court of first instance heard a total of 9344 cases. Acquittals were granted in 9 of these instances - or 0.1%.
2. Acquittal verdict in 2008
The Court of first instance heard a total of 8645 cases. Acquittals were granted in 21 of these instances - or 0.2%.
3. Acquittal verdict in 2009
The Court of first instance heard a total of 6720 cases. Acquittals were granted in 9 of these instances - or 0.1%.
4. Acquittal verdict in 2010
The Court of first instance heard a total of 3495 cases. Acquittals were granted in 7 of these instances - or 0.2%.
5. Acquittal verdict in 2011 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 1854 cases. Acquittals were granted in 47 of these instances - or 2.5%.
6. Acquittal verdict in 2012 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 1149 cases. Acquittals were granted in 90 of these instances - or 7.8%.
7. Acquittal verdict in 2013
The Court of first instance heard a total of 1813 cases. Acquittals were granted in 37 of these instances - or 2.0%.
8. Acquittal verdict in 2014 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 4655 cases. Acquittals were granted in 76 of these instances - or 1.6%.
9. Acquittal verdict in 2015 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 5016 cases. Acquittals were granted in 145 of these instances - or 2.9%.
10. Acquittal verdict in 2016
The Court of first instance heard a total of 5549 cases. Acquittals were granted in 164 of these instances - or 3.0%.
11. Acquittal verdict in 2017
The Court of first instance heard a total of 4245 cases. Acquittals were granted in 187 of these instances - or 4.4%.
12. Acquittal verdict in 2018 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 5107 cases. Acquittals were granted in 402 of these instances - or 7.9%.
13. Acquittal verdict in 2019 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 5325 cases. Acquittals were granted in 550 of these instances - or 10.3%.
14. Acquittal verdict in 2020 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 4709 cases. Acquittals were granted in 393 of these instances - or 8.3%.
15. Acquittal verdict in 2021 
The Court of first instance heard a total of 5673 cases. Acquittals were granted in 499 of these instances - or 8.8%.

A total number of convictions and acquittals.


The statistics presented above are taken from the official website of the Supreme Court of Georgia. According to the same website, 225 people were acquitted in 2020 out of 1491 domestic violence cases among crimes against human beings (statistics from previous years do not provide precise information on domestic violence cases).

Based on 2020 data, we can conclude that a total of 434 individuals were acquitted, of which 225 were acquitted in domestic violence cases.

Based on this, more than 50% of the acquittals in 2020 were in domestic violence cases - out of 4709 verdicts, 393 were acquitted (against 434 individuals), and 225 of these verdicts were in domestic violence cases, as previously stated. 

Data from 2020

Cases of domestic violence (number of people involved) (52%)
Other cases (the number of people involved) (48%).

We often hear from authorities that acquittals have increased, which is seen as strengthening the judiciary, but statistics drawn from dry figures ignore the fact based on which the acquittal rate is increasing.

Additional Information:

On the other hand, the urgency of domestic violence issues is indicated not only by the high number of final verdicts but also by the statistics on restraining and protective orders.

• Number of Judgments

  In 2018, judgments were given in 2347 cases of family offenses and domestic violence.
• In 2019, the hearing of 2642 cases ended with giving a judgment;
• In 2020 (9 months data), 1410 cases ended with giving a judgment;
• And, in 2021, 2366 cases ended with giving the judgment.

Statistics on issued restraining orders  in 2015-2022.

Number of domestic violence restraining orders issued.

• In 2015, a total of 2722 restraining orders were issued;
• In 2016 - total of 3089 restraining orders issued;
• In 2017 - a total of 4370 restraining orders were issued;
• In 2018 - A total of 7646 restraining orders were issued;
• In 2019 - 10266 restraining orders issued in total;
• In 2020 - A total of 10321 restraining orders issued;
• In 2021 - A total of 9376 restraining orders issued;
• In 2022 - A total of 8748 restraining orders issued.

Statistics on issued protection orders in 2018-2021.

• In 2018 - a total of 141 protection orders were issued, including 130 were on cases concerning violence against women;
• In 2019 - a total of 112 protection orders were issued, of which 102 on cases concerning violence against women;
• In 2020 - a total of 104 protection orders were issued, of which 94 on cases concerning violence against women;
• In 2021 - a total of 96 protection orders were issued, of which 88 on cases concerning violence against women.
  
  

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