---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-22-2. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 17-22-2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-22-2 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-22-2
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-22-2.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-22-2/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t17-(v15)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6c4dfdf8_0#page=177
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/17-22.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 / WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND INCARCERATION COMPENSATION
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-22-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Alford plea” means a plea of guilty entered by a defendant while maintaining his or her innocence, as recognized by the United States Supreme Court in the case of North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970).

(2) “Claimant” means an individual seeking compensation under this chapter for his or her wrongful conviction and incarceration.

(3) “Prosecuting district attorney” means the district attorney whose office prosecuted the claimant for the crime or crimes that resulted in the wrongful conviction and incarceration for which the claimant is seeking compensation under the provisions of this chapter.

(4) “State governmental entity” means any office, authority, agency, department, unit, division, instrumentality, institution, commission, board, branch, or other entity of state government.

## History

Code 1981, § 17-22-2, enacted by Ga. L. 2025, p. 887, § 2-1/SB 244, effective July 1, 2025.