---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-16-3. Copy of indictment or accusation and list of witnesses furnished.
collection: code
id: 17-16-3
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-16-3 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-16-3
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-16-3.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-16-3/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=1446
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: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / DISCOVERY / DEFINITIONS; FELONY CASES
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-16-3. Copy of indictment or accusation and list of witnesses furnished.

Prior to arraignment, every person charged with a criminal offense shall be furnished with a copy of the indictment or accusation and a list of witnesses that may be supplemented pursuant to the other provisions of this article.

## History

Code 1981, § 17-16-3, enacted by Ga. L. 1994, p. 1895, § 4; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1250, § 2.

## Cross References

Copy of indictment and list of witnesses to be furnished to defendant, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XIV. List of witnesses, Uniform Superior Court Rules, Rule 30.3. Motions, demurrers, special pleas, and similar items in criminal matters, Uniform Superior Court Rules, Rule 31. Pleadings by defendant, Uniform Superior Court Rules, Rule 33. Unified appeal, pre-trial proceedings, Uniform Superior Court Rules, Rule 34.3. Reply, Uniform State Court Rules, Rule 6.2. Filing and processing documents, Uniform State Court Rules, Rule 36.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 1983, p. 503, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: ‘‘It is the intent of this Act to implement certain changes imposed by Article I, Section I, Paragraph XIV of the Constitution of the State of Georgia.’’

## Law Reviews

For article discussing available means of discovery for criminal cases in Georgia, see 12 Ga. St. B.J. 134 (1976). For annual survey of criminal law, see 38 Mercer L. Rev. 129 (1986).

For note, ‘‘Criminal Discovery: The Use of Notices to Produce,’’ see 30 Mercer L. Rev. 331 (1978). For note, ‘‘The Criminal Discovery Dilemma in Georgia,’’ see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 1113 (1983).