---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-23. Absence of party as grounds for granting continuance.
collection: code
id: 17-8-23
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-23 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-23
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-23.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-23/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=761
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/17-8.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 / TRIAL / CONTINUANCES
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-8-23. Absence of party as grounds for granting continuance.

If either party is providentially prevented from attending the trial of any case and the counsel of the absent party will state in his place that he cannot go safely to trial without the presence of the absent party, the case shall be continued, provided his continuances are not exhausted.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 3453; Code 1868, § 3473; Code 1873, § 3524; Code 1882, § 3524; Civil Code 1895, § 5131; Civil Code 1910, § 5717; Code 1933, § 81-1412.

## Cross References

Corresponding provision relating to civil procedure, § 9-10-154.