---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-125. Avoiding or interfering with security measures; penalty; exemption.
collection: code
id: 16-12-125
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-125 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-125
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-125.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-125/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch12-17-(v14b)-2024-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=a591fa7b_0#page=158
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 HEALTH AND MORALS / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION / TRANSPORTATION PASSENGER SAFETY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-12-125. Avoiding or interfering with security measures; penalty; exemption.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person to avoid or interfere with a properly functioning security measure. Any person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature; provided, however, that any person who violates this Code section with the intent to commit a felony within the terminal or with regard to any aircraft, bus, or rail vehicle shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five nor more than 25 years, a fine not to exceed $100,000.00, or both.

(b) Any violation of this Code section shall be considered a separate offense.

(c) This Code section shall not apply to authorized agents of the entity owning or operating such security measure.

## History

Code 1981, § 16-12-125, enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1094, § 5; Ga. L. 2003, p. 423, § 2.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2002, p. 1094, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Transportation Security Act of 2002.’”

Ga. L. 2002, p. 1094, § 5, effective June 1, 2002, redesignated former Code Section 16-12-125, concerning the effect of the part and civil or criminal proceedings, as present Code Section 16-12-128.