---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-7-28. Hearing of evidence by court of inquiry; right of accused to testify; application of rules of evidence; effect of failure of accused to testify.
collection: code
id: 17-7-28
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-7-28 (2025)
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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=457
date: 2025
status: active
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heading_path: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / PRETRIAL PROCEEDINGS / COMMITMENT HEARINGS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-7-28. Hearing of evidence by court of inquiry; right of accused to testify; application of rules of evidence; effect of failure of accused to testify.

The court of inquiry shall hear all legal evidence submitted by either party. If the accused wishes to testify and announces in open court before the court of inquiry his or her intention to do so, the accused may testify in his or her own behalf. If the accused elects to testify, he or she shall be sworn as any other witness and may be examined and cross-examined as any other witness. The rules of evidence shall apply except that hearsay shall be admissible. The failure of an accused to testify shall create no presumption against the accused, and no comment may be made because of such failure.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 4614; Code 1868, § 4636; Code 1873, § 4733; Code 1882, § 4733; Penal Code 1895, § 910; Penal Code 1910, § 935; Code 1933, § 27-405; Ga. L. 1962, p. 453, § 1; Ga. L. 1973, p. 292, § 1; Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 30/HB 24.

## Cross References

Prohibition against compelled self-incrimination, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XVI. Testimony of accused in criminal case, § 24-5-506.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 101/HB 24, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this Act shall apply to any motion made or hearing or trial commenced on or after January 1, 2013.

## Law Reviews

For article discussing available means of discovery for criminal cases in Georgia, see 12 Ga. St. B.J. 134 (1976). For article on the effect of a conviction that is based on a nolo contendere plea, see 13 Ga. L. Rev. 723 (1979). For article, ‘‘Evidence,’’ see 27 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 1 (2011). For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 1 (2011).

For note, ‘‘Defendant as a Witness in a Criminal Proceeding,’’ see 3 Mercer L. Rev. 335 (1952). For note discussing the unsworn statement formerly provided for in Georgia criminal trials, see 14 Mercer L. Rev. 412 (1963). For note discussing the unsworn statement in Georgia law (prior to its abolition in 1973), see 16 Mercer L. Rev. 441 (1965).