---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-5-72. Right to free forensic medical examination.
collection: code
id: 17-5-72
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-5-72 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-72
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-72.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-72/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=347
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/17-5-71.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-5-73.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 / SEARCHES AND SEIZURES / INVESTIGATING SEXUAL ASSAULT
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-5-72. Right to free forensic medical examination.

A victim shall have the right to have a forensic medical examination regardless of whether the victim participates in the criminal justice system or cooperates with law enforcement in pursuing prosecution of the underlying crime. A victim shall not be required to pay, directly or indirectly, for the cost of a forensic medical examination. The cost of a forensic medical examination shall be paid for by the Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund, as provided for in Chapter 15 of this title.

## History

Code 1981, § 17-5-72, enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 486, § 3/HB 1297; Ga. L. 2011, p. 214, § 3/HB 503.