2010 Georgia Code
TITLE 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS
ARTICLE 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS
§ 50-18-71.1 - Approval of judge required for inspection of trial exhibits; reproduction of exhibits; public inspection

O.C.G.A. 50-18-71.1 (2010)
50-18-71.1. Approval of judge required for inspection of trial exhibits; reproduction of exhibits; public inspection


(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, an exhibit tendered to the court as evidence in a criminal or civil trial shall not be open to public inspection without approval of the judge assigned to the case or, if no judge has been assigned, approval of the chief judge or, if no judge has been designated chief judge, approval of the judge most senior in length of service on the court.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, in the event inspection is not approved by the court, in lieu of inspection of such an exhibit, the custodian of such an exhibit shall, upon request, provide one or more of the following representations of the exhibit:

(1) A photograph;

(2) A photocopy;

(3) A facsimile; or

(4) Another reproduction.

(c) The provisions of subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) of Code Section 50-18-71 shall apply to fees, costs, and charges for providing a photocopy of such an exhibit. Fees for providing a photograph, facsimile, or other reproduction of such an exhibit shall not exceed the cost of materials or supplies and a reasonable charge for time spent producing the photograph, facsimile, or other reproduction, in accordance with subsections (d) and (e) of Code Section 50-18-71.

(d) Any physical evidence that is evidence of a violation of Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16, that is used as an exhibit in a criminal or civil trial, shall not be open to public inspection except as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section. If the judge approves inspection of such physical evidence, the judge shall designate, in writing, the location where such physical evidence may be inspected, which location shall be in a facility owned or operated by an agency of state or local government. If the judge permits inspection, such property or material shall not be photographed, copied, or reproduced by any means. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years and by a fine of not more than $100,000.00, or both.