Georgia § 42-4-12 - Penalty for refusal by officer to receive persons charged with or guilty of offense.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-4-12 — Penalty for refusal by officer to receive persons charged with or guilty of offense., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42-4-12. Penalty for refusal by officer to receive persons charged with or guilty of offense.
Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, any sheriff, constable, keeper of a jail, or other officer whose duty it is to receive persons charged with or guilty of an indictable offense who refuses to receive and take charge of such a person shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00. A sheriff, constable, keeper of a jail, or other officer whose duty it is to receive persons charged with or guilty of an indictable offense shall be authorized to refuse acceptance of any person who has not received medical treatment for obvious physical injuries or conditions of an emergency nature. Upon such refusal, it shall be the responsibility of the arresting agency to take the individual to a health care facility or health care provider in order to secure a medical release. Upon medical release by the health care facility or health care provider, the sheriff, constable, or keeper of the jail must assume custody of the individual; provided, however, that in all cases the sheriff, constable, or keeper of the jail must assume custody where no health care facility is located in the county in which the arrest occurred and, in such instances, the governing authority of the arresting agency shall pay all costs related to the medical release. (Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 807; Code 1863, § 4380; Code 1868, § 4418; Code 1873, § 4486; Code 1882, § 4486; Penal Code 1895, § 285; Penal Code 1910, § 289; Code 1933, § 77-9902; Ga. L. 1996, p. 1638, § 1.) Law reviews. - For review of 1996 legislation relating to jails, see 13 Ga. U. L. Rev. 269 and 273 (1996).
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 42-4-12
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-4-12 cover?
Section 42-4-12 ("Penalty for refusal by officer to receive persons charged with or guilty of offense.") 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 § 42-4-12?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-4-12" (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 § 42-4-12 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.