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HB682 • 2025

Criminal procedure; death penalty shall not be imposed if only evidence is testimony of a single eyewitness; provide

Criminal procedure; death penalty shall not be imposed if only evidence is testimony of a single eyewitness; provide

Crime
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Mitchell, Billy
Last action
2025-03-04
Official status
House Second Readers
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The provided 'Official bill text excerpt' is corrupted PDF data and unreadable, so verification relies solely on the Bill Summary Text.

Limits on Death Penalty When Only One Eyewitness Testifies

This bill changes Georgia law to stop courts from giving the death penalty if a single eyewitness is the only proof that a defendant committed a crime.

What This Bill Does

  • Amends Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated regarding the death penalty.
  • Requires that courts cannot impose the death penalty if the only evidence proving guilt is testimony from one eyewitness.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Defendants facing the death penalty where a single witness is their only evidence of guilt.
  • Courts and judges who decide on sentencing in capital cases under Georgia law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official source does not state when this law will officially start or become effective.
  • It is unclear if this rule applies to crimes committed before the new law takes effect.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-04 Georgia General Assembly

    House Second Readers

Official Summary Text

Criminal procedure; death penalty shall not be imposed if only evidence is testimony of a single eyewitness; provide