---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-5-20. Requirements for issuance of search warrant generally.
collection: code
id: 17-5-20
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-5-20 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-20
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-20.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-20/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=188
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/17-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-2.md
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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 / SEARCHES AND SEIZURES / SEARCHES WITH WARRANTS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-5-20. Requirements for issuance of search warrant generally.

(a) A search warrant may be issued only upon the application of an officer of this state or its political subdivisions charged with the duty of enforcing the criminal laws or a currently certified peace officer engaged in the course of official duty, whether said officer is employed by a law enforcement unit of:

(1) The state or a political subdivision of the state; or

(2) A university, college, or school.

(b) A search warrant shall not be issued upon the application of a private citizen or for his aid in the enforcement of personal, civil, or property rights.

## History

Ga. L. 1966, p. 567, § 14; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1980, § 1.

## Law Reviews

For note on 1990 amendment of this Code section, see 7 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 261 (1990).