---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-24. Absence or illness of counsel as grounds for granting continuance.
collection: code
id: 17-8-24
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-24 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-24
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-24.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-24/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=762
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
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. § 17-8-24. Absence or illness of counsel as grounds for granting continuance.

The illness or absence, from providential cause, of counsel where there is but one, or of the leading counsel where there are more than one, shall be a sufficient ground for continuance, provided that the party making the application will swear that he cannot go safely to trial without the services of the absent counsel, that he expects his services at the next term, and that the application is not made for delay only.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 3454; Code 1868, § 3474; Code 1873, § 3525; Code 1882, § 3525; Civil Code 1895, § 5132; Penal Code 1895, § 964; Civil Code 1910, § 5718; Penal Code 1910, § 990; Code 1933, § 81-1413.

## Cross References

Corresponding provision relating to civil procedure, § 9-10-155.