---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-10-71. False swearing.
collection: code
id: 16-10-71
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-10-71 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-10-71
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-10-71.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-10-71/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch7-11-(v14a)-2018-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=aecbfe9c_0#page=716
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.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / PERJURY AND RELATED OFFENSES
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-10-71. False swearing.

(a) A person to whom a lawful oath or affirmation has been administered or who executes a document knowing that it purports to be an acknowledgment of a lawful oath or affirmation commits the offense of false swearing when, in any matter or thing other than a judicial proceeding, he knowingly and willfully makes a false statement.

(b) A person convicted of the offense of false swearing shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or both.

## History

Laws 1833, Cobb’s 1851 Digest, p. 804; Code 1863, §§ 4357, 4358; Code 1868, §§ 4395, 4396; Code 1873, §§ 4462, 4463; Code 1882, §§ 4462, 4463; Penal Code 1895, §§ 258, 259; Penal Code 1910, §§ 261, 262; Code 1933, §§ 26-4003, 26-4004; Code 1933, § 26-2402, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 1249, § 1.

## Cross References

False swearing in connection with candidacy for election, § 21-2-565.