---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-7-53. Operation of two returns of ‘‘no bill’’ on charge as bar to future prosecution for same charge.
collection: code
id: 17-7-53
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-7-53 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-7-53
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-7-53.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-7-53/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=477
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
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / PRETRIAL PROCEEDINGS / INDICTMENTS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-7-53. Operation of two returns of ‘‘no bill’’ on charge as bar to future prosecution for same charge.

Two returns of ‘‘no bill’’ by grand juries on the same charge or allegation shall be a bar to any future prosecution of a person for the same offense under the same or another name; provided, however, that, if the returns have been procured by the fraudulent conduct of the person charged or there is newly discovered evidence, upon proof, the judge may allow a third bill to be presented, found, and prosecuted.

## History

Laws 1850, Cobb’s 1851 Digest, p. 864; Code 1863, § 4591; Code 1868, § 4612; Code 1873, § 4708; Code 1882, § 4708; Penal Code 1895, § 930; Penal Code 1910, § 955; Code 1933, § 27-702.

## Cross References

Multiple jeopardy, U.S. Const., amend. 5 and Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XVIII.