Acts involving family violence are punished more severely in Georgia than the same types of acts committed between strangers, co-workers, friends, etc.
For example, a domestic violence battery is punishable as a misdemeanor, but any subsequent convictions are considered felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Non-domestic batteries are only considered felonies only where the person has two or more prior convictions for batteries committed against the same victim.
As a parent, you could lose your parental rights if convicted of a domestic violence charge, as well.