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GA SB485

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/9/2024

Primary Sponsor

Harold Jones

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Origin

Senate

2023-2024 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Expands the district attorney's authority to charge by accusation (without a grand jury indictment) from a limited list of specific felonies to any felony that is not a "serious violent felony" as defined in Code Section 17-10-6.1
  • Removes the previous restriction that limited accusation-based charging to specific offense categories such as theft, forgery, fraud, escape, felon-in-possession of a firearm, and controlled substance violations
  • Adds a new qualifying condition allowing accusation-based charges when an accused has been released on bond pending a commitment hearing, in addition to the existing conditions of being bound over on probable cause or waiving a commitment hearing
  • Retains the requirement that all rights and procedural protections applicable to grand jury indictment cases also apply to cases charged by district attorney accusation
  • Maintains the existing rule that an accusation need not be supported by affidavit unless the defendant has not been previously arrested for the alleged conduct or the accusation is being used as the basis for an arrest warrant

Legislative Description

Trial upon Accusation; certain offenses be charged by accusation of the district attorney; allow

Last Action

Senate Read and Referred

2/12/2024

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/12/2024

Full Bill Text

No bill text available