---
title: O.C.G.A. § 15-16-53. Unauthorized use of sheriff’s office name a violation.
collection: code
id: 15-16-53
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 15-16-53 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-53
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-53.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-53/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t15-ch12-24-(v13a)-2015-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=cbb30143_0#page=293
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: COURTS / SHERIFFS / SHERIFF OFFICES’ NOMENCLATURE
---

# O.C.G.A. § 15-16-53. Unauthorized use of sheriff’s office name a violation.

Whoever, except with the express written permission of the sheriff, knowingly uses words pertaining to such sheriff’s office in connection with the planning, conduct, or execution of any solicitation; advertisement, circular, political endorsement, book, pamphlet, or other publication; or play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, telemarketing, or other production in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such solicitation; advertisement, circular, political endorsement, book, pamphlet, or other publication; or play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, telemarketing, or other production is approved, endorsed, or authorized by or associated with the sheriff’s office shall be in violation of this article.

## History

Code 1981, § 15-16-53, enacted by Ga. L. 1997, p. 1496, § 1.