---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-1-2. Maintenance of penal actions.
collection: code
id: 17-1-2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-1-2 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-1-2
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-1-2.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-1-2/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t17-(v15)-2020-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=8c04ccfe_0#page=19
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/17-1.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-1-1.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: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-1-2. Maintenance of penal actions.

A ‘‘penal action’’ is an action allowed in pursuance of public justice under particular laws. If no special officer is authorized to be the plaintiff therein, the state, the Governor, the Attorney General, or the prosecuting attorney may be the plaintiff.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 3178; Code 1868, § 3189; Code 1873, § 3254; Code 1882, § 3254; Civil Code 1895, § 4933; Civil Code 1910, § 5510; Code 1933, § 3-103.

## Cross References

Corresponding provisions relating to civil procedure, §§ 9-2-1, 9-2-29.