ATLANTA – State Representatives Carl Gilliard (D- Garden City), Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta), Don Hogan (R-St. Simon’s Island), William Boddie (D-East Point) and Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert) today announced their plans to introduce legislation which would repeal Georgia’s citizen’s arrest law. The legislators will also hold a press conference to discuss the proposed legislation TOMORROW, Friday, June 5, 2020, at 10 a.m. at the steps of Chatham County Courthouse (133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401).
“This legislation’s focus is to prevent civilians from taking the law into their own hands,” said Rep. Gilliard, who is the author of the bill. “Our citizen’s arrest law was created in 1863, and this law is clearly outdated as it was formed in the fashion of the Wild West. When individuals lose their lives at the hands of civilians that become judge and jury, we must use the power of the pen to move Georgia forward.”
“I am honored to join Rep. Gilliard on this legislation, and I believe that it is the role of law enforcement to safeguard the citizens of our state,” said Rep. Greene. “Georgia needs to join other states in passing this legislation, and I commend Rep. Gilliard on the introduction of this legislation.”
“The citizen’s arrest law has become a legal defense for murder,” said Rep. Bruce.
“It is time for us to repeal this law and the lawlessness associated with it.”
Currently, Georgia law states that a private citizen may arrest an offender if an offense is committed in his or her presence or within his or her immediate knowledge. If the offense is a felony and the offender attempts to escape, a citizen may arrest him or her upon reasonable and probable grounds of suspicion. The proposed legislation would prohibit certain citizens from practicing a citizen’s arrest, including weight inspectors and citizens who are licensed with the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies. The legislation will be filed during the 2020 legislative session, which will reconvene on June 15.
Representative Carl Gilliard represents the citizens of District 162, which includes portions of Chatham County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development, and on the Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, State Properties and Transportation committees. He is also a member of the Working Group on Creative Arts & Entertainment and the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Commission.
Representative Gerald Greene represents the citizens of District 151, which includes Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell and Webster counties, as well as portions of Dougherty County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and currently serves as Chairman of the State Properties Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Economic Development & Tourism, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Retirement, Special Rules and Rules committees.
Representative Don Hogan represents the citizens of District 179, which includes portions of Glynn County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Information & Audits Committee and Secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources, as well as the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Economic Development & Tourism and Health & Human Services committees.
Representative Roger Bruce represents the citizens of District 61, which includes portions of Cobb, Douglas and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Game, Fish & Parks, Human Relations & Aging, Judiciary and Small Business Development committees.
Representative William Boddie represents the citizens of District 62, which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as House Minority Whip. He also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Judiciary Non-Civil and Small Business Development committees. He also serves as an Ex-Officio members on the House Rules Committee.
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