---
title: O.C.G.A. § 15-16-58. Damages recoverable for unauthorized use of symbols.
collection: code
id: 15-16-58
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 15-16-58 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-58
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-58.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-58/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=295
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
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-57.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-16-59.md
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. § 15-16-58. Damages recoverable for unauthorized use of symbols.

Any person who has given money or any other item of value to another person due in part to such person’s use of a sheriff’s office nomenclature or symbols in violation of this article may maintain a suit for damages against the violator. Where it is proven that the violation was willful, the victim shall be entitled to recover treble damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees.

## History

Code 1981, § 15-16-58, enacted by Ga. L. 1997, p. 1496, § 1.