Criminal Justice

introduced · Georgia · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 194: Crimes and offenses; justification for use of force in defense of self or others; revise standards

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to revise standards of justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to provide for a rebuttable presumption; to provide for timing for claims of immunity from prosecution based upon justification; to provide for standards of proof; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force was used; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRevises self-defense standards to ease justification claims, protecting defendant rights in criminal cases per Georgia's revised defense standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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died · Georgia · House Apr 4, 2025

HR 129: Clark, Mr. Daryl Lee; compensate

This bill, HR 129, is a resolution to compensate Daryl Lee Clark for his wrongful imprisonment. Clark was exonerated in 2022 after over 25 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, based on suppressed evidence, unreliable witness testimony, and police misconduct. The resolution directs Georgia's Department of Administrative Services to pay Clark $1,917,128 - $75,000 per year of wrongful incarceration - with an initial payment of $632,652 and the remainder paid in monthly installments over ten years via an annuity. It addresses Georgia’s lack of a statutory compensation system for exonerees, as Clark was the first to receive such payment under this private resolution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensates wrongful conviction victim due to police misconduct and suppressed evidence, directly addressing systemic criminal justice failures and enhancing accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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died · Georgia · House Apr 4, 2025

HR 130: Moore, Mr. Sedrick; compensate

This bill (HR 130) authorizes the State of Georgia to compensate Sedrick Moore for wrongful imprisonment. It directs the Department of Administrative Services to pay Moore $1,691,280 total - $558,122 upfront and the remainder as a 10-year annuity - with the payment excluded from state income tax. The compensation follows Moore’s exoneration in 2023 after new DNA evidence revealed the trial’s key evidence (including DNA testimony and witness statements) was incorrect, leading to his 21-year wrongful conviction for rape and related charges. The resolution ensures the state receives credit if Moore later wins damages from a lawsuit against state officials over the same wrongful conviction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensates wrongful conviction victim, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing systemic errors and protecting civil rights after exoneration.95% confidence

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passed · Georgia · House Feb 28, 2025

HB 227: Putting Georgia's Patients First Act; enact

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various provisions of the O.C.G.A., so as to rename low THC oil as medical cannabis; to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16, Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 16, and Article 1 of Chapter 2A of Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to offenses against the public health and morals, regulation of controlled substances, and general provisions relative to the Department of Public Health, respectively, so as to clarify and revise criminal penalties; to clarify and revise exemptions to criminal penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill legalizes medical cannabis, reducing criminal penalties for low THC oil and aligning with criminal justice reform by decreasing unnecessary criminalization.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill legalizes medical cannabis access, expanding patient treatment options under healthcare services per its title and summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Georgia · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 626: Criminal procedure; extend retention period of evidence of sexual assault when victim elects not to immediately report assault

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 17-5-71 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preservation of evidence, so as to extend the retention period of evidence of sexual assault when the victim elects not to immediately report the assault; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends evidence retention for sexual assault victims delaying reports, preserving critical evidence to support justice outcomes and protect victim rights within criminal procedure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Georgia · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SB 25: Pardons and Paroles; procedures when a person is denied parole after completing certain prerequisites; provide

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to grants of pardons, paroles, and other relief, so as to provide for procedures when a person is denied parole after completing certain prerequisites; to provide for a video conference hearing where prospective parolees can be heard and seek information from the board; to provide that the board submit written findings if the tentative parole month is delayed; to provide notice to members of the board when a majority votes to deny or delay release; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates video hearings for parolees, requires written findings for delays, and creates clearer procedures after completing prerequisites - enhancing transparency and fairness in parole decisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Georgia · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 188: Criminal procedure; extend certain protections for victims of family violence and stalking with respect to residential leases

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 17, Title 19, and Title 44 of the O.C.G.A., relating to criminal procedure, domestic relations, and property, respectively, so as to extend certain protections for victims of family violence and stalking with respect to residential leases; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends victim protections for family violence/stalking victims regarding residential leases, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing victim safety and rights in housing.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends tenant protections for victims of family violence/stalking in residential leases, strengthening tenant rights per bill's focus on residential lease safeguards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Tenant Rights

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introduced · Georgia · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 363: Crimes and offenses; criminal trespass; include religious worship and observance or acknowledging the death of an individual

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 16-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal trespass, so as to include gatherings for the purposes of religious worship and observance or acknowledging the death of an individual; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends trespass law to explicitly protect religious gatherings and death observances, strengthening civil rights protections within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

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introduced · Georgia · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 367: Georgia Equity and Fairness Commission Act; enact

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commissions and other agencies, so as to create the Georgia Equity and Fairness Commission; to provide for members and officers; to provide for meetings, quorum, and compensation; to provide for the commission's duties and powers; to provide for reporting; to provide a definition; to provide a short title; to provide legislative findings; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Georgia Equity and Fairness Commission to address systemic inequities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing disparities and enhancing accountability.85% confidence

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introduced · Georgia · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 354: Evidence; exclude certain communications made between attorney and client when client is in a penal institution

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 24-5-501 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certain communications privileged, so as to exclude from evidence certain communications made between attorney and client when the client is in a penal institution; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves attorney-client privilege for incarcerated individuals, protecting defendant rights in criminal proceedings.92% confidence

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