---
title: O.C.G.A. § 45-16-39. Oath for foreperson and jury of inquest.
collection: code
id: 45-16-39
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 45-16-39 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-39
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-39.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-39/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t45-(v33)-2016-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=cde47f8a_0#page=461
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: PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES / CORONERS / DEATH INVESTIGATIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 45-16-39. Oath for foreperson and jury of inquest.

(a) The following oath shall be administered to the foreman of the jury by the coroner:

‘‘You, as foreman of the inquest, shall diligently inquire and true presentment make, on behalf of the State of Georgia, how and in what manner (or a person deceased, unknown, as the case may be) came to his death and of such other matters relating to the same as shall be lawfully required of you, according to evidence, so help you God.’’

(b) The remainder of the jury shall be sworn by the coroner as follows:

‘‘The same oath which the foreman of this inquest has taken on his part each of you shall observe and keep upon your part, so help you God.’’

## History

Laws 1823, Cobb’s 1851 Digest, p. 538; Code 1863, § 4005; Code 1868, § 4033; Code 1873, § 4104; Code 1882, § 4104; Penal Code 1895, § 1261; Penal Code 1910, § 1343; Code 1933, § 21-212; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 16; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.