Georgia § 17-20-2 - Written policies for live lineups, photo lineups, and showups.

Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 17-20-2 — Written policies for live lineups, photo lineups, and showups., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 17-20-2. Written policies for live lineups, photo lineups, and showups.

Not later than July 1, 2016, any law enforcement agency that conducts live lineups, photo lineups, or showups shall adopt written policies for using such procedures for the purpose of determining whether a witness identifies someone as the perpetrator of an alleged crime. Live lineup, photo lineup, and showup policies shall include the following: With respect to a live lineup, having an individual who does not know the identity of the suspect conduct the live procedure; With respect to a photo lineup, having an individual: Who does not know the identity of the suspect conduct the photo lineup; or Who knows the identity of the suspect use a procedure in which photographs are placed in folders, randomly shuffled, and then presented to the witness so that the individual conducting such procedure cannot physically see which photograph is being viewed by the witness until the procedure is complete; Providing the witness with instruction that the perpetrator of the alleged crime may or may not be present in the live lineup or photo lineup; Composing a live lineup or photo lineup so that the fillers generally resemble the witness's description of the perpetrator of the alleged crime; Using a minimum of four fillers in a live lineup and a minimum of five fillers in a photo lineup; and Having the individual conducting a live lineup, photo lineup, or showup seek and document, at the time that an identification of an individual or photograph is made, and in the witness's own words without necessarily referencing a numeric or percentage standard, a clear statement from the witness as to the witness's confidence level that the individual or photograph identified is the individual or photograph of the individual who committed the alleged crime. All law enforcement agency written policies adopted pursuant to this Code section shall be subject to public disclosure and inspection notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50. (Code 1981, § 17-20-2 , enacted by Ga. L. 2015, p. 1046, § 4/SB 94.)

Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 17-20-2

What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 17-20-2 cover?

Section 17-20-2 ("Written policies for live lineups, photo lineups, and showups.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Georgia § 17-20-2?

A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 17-20-2" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Georgia law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.

How does Georgia § 17-20-2 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.