---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-11-1. Treason.
collection: code
id: 16-11-1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-11-1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-11-1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-11-1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-11-1/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=740
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 ORDER AND SAFETY / TREASON AND OTHER SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-11-1. Treason.

(a) A person owing allegiance to the state commits the offense of treason when he knowingly levies war against the state, adheres to her enemies, or gives them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of the offense of treason except on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or on confession in open court. When the overt act of treason is committed outside this state, the person charged therewith may be tried in any county in this state.

(b) A person convicted of the offense of treason shall be punished by death or by imprisonment for life or for not less than 15 years.

## History

Laws 1833, Cobb’s 1851 Digest, p. 782; Code 1863, § 4212; Code 1868, § 4247; Code 1873, § 4313; Code 1882, §§ 4313, 5019; Penal Code 1895, §§ 51, 52, 53; Penal Code 1910, §§ 51, 52, 53; Code 1933, §§ 26-801, 26-802, 26-803; Code 1933, § 26-2201, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 1249, § 1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 16.

## Cross References

Treason generally, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XIX. Time limitation on prosecutions for crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment, § 17-3-1.