---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-15-1. Legislative intent.
collection: code
id: 17-15-1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-15-1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-15-1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-15-1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-15-1/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=1416
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/17-15.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-14-32.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-15-2.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: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / VICTIM COMPENSATION
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-15-1. Legislative intent.

The General Assembly recognizes that many innocent persons suffer personal physical injury, serious mental or emotional trauma, severe financial hardship, or death as a result of criminal acts or attempted criminal acts. The General Assembly finds and determines that there is a need for assistance for such victims of crimes. Accordingly, it is the General Assembly’s intent that under certain circumstances, aid, care, and assistance be provided by the state for such victims of crimes.

## History

Code 1981, § 17-15-1, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 591, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 195, § 1/SB 172; Ga. L. 2014, p. 354, § 1/SB 187.