Georgia Statutes

§ 16-3-23 — Use of force in defense of habitation

Georgia § 16-3-23

This text of Georgia § 16-3-23 (Use of force in defense of habitation) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Georgia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
O.C.G.A. § 16-3-23 (2026).

Text

A person is justified in threatening or using force against another when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes that such threat or force is necessary to prevent or terminate such other's unlawful entry into or attack upon a habitation; however, such person is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if:

(1)The entry is made or attempted in a violent and tumultuous manner and he or she reasonably believes that the entry is attempted or made for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person dwelling or being therein and that such force is necessary to prevent the assault or offer of personal violence;
(2)That force is used against another person who is not a member of the family or household an

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Legislative History

Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 385, § 2, eff. 7/1/2001.

Nearby Sections

15
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Bluebook (online)
Georgia § 16-3-23, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/statute/ga/16-3-23.