---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-53. Exclusion of public from courtroom when evidence vulgar or obscene.
collection: code
id: 17-8-53
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-53 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-53
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-53.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-53/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=793
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 / CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-8-53. Exclusion of public from courtroom when evidence vulgar or obscene.

During a trial in a court of any case in which the evidence is vulgar and obscene or relates to the improper acts of the sexes, and tends to debauch the morals of the young, the presiding judge shall have the right in his discretion and on his own motion, or on motion of a party or his attorney, to hear and try the case after clearing the courtroom of all or any portion of the audience.

## History

Ga. L. 1890-91, p. 111, § 1; Ga. L. 1895, p. 49, § 1; Civil Code 1895, § 5296; Civil Code 1910, § 5885; Code 1933, § 81-1006.

## Cross References

Corresponding provision relating to civil procedure, § 9-10-3. Exclusion of public from hearings involving determination of delinquency, deprivation, or unruliness of minors, § 15-11-700.

## Law Reviews

For review of 1996 legislation relating to filming or videotaping in the courtroom, see 13 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 83 (1996).