---
title: O.C.G.A. § 42-7-8. Court recommendation of treatment as youthful offender.
collection: code
id: 42-7-8
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 42-7-8 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-7-8
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-7-8.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-7-8/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t41-t42-(v29a)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=4afea80d_0#page=380
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/42-7.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-7-7.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-7-9.md
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: PENAL INSTITUTIONS / TREATMENT OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 42-7-8. Court recommendation of treatment as youthful offender.

If a court finds that a youthful offender might benefit from this chapter, the court may recommend that a young offender be treated as a youthful offender by indicating the recommendation in writing in the sentence itself. When the judge has recommended in the sentence that a person be given youthful offender treatment, release may be made without regard to limitations placed upon the service of a portion of the prison sentence provided by Code Section 42-9-45. After the offender is evaluated, the department will make the decision concerning the placement of the offender.

## History

Code 1981, § 42-7-8, enacted by Ga. L. 1985, p. 420, § 1.

## Cross References

Sentence and punishment generally, § 17-10-1 et seq.

## Law Reviews

For article on the effect of nolo contendere plea on conviction, see 13 Ga. L. Rev. 723 (1979).