---
title: O.C.G.A. § 9-14-12. Respondent’s return to writ — Statement of transfer of custody; procedure when transfer made to avoid writ.
collection: code
id: 9-14-12
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 9-14-12 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/9-14-12
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/9-14-12.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/9-14-12/text
source_url: https://archive.org/download/gov.ga.ocga.2024/T09%20Ch12-16%20%28V7A%29%202015.pdf#page=330
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/9-14.md
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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: CIVIL PRACTICE / HABEAS CORPUS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 9-14-12. Respondent’s return to writ — Statement of transfer of custody; procedure when transfer made to avoid writ.

If the return denies the custody or detention of the person in question, it shall further state distinctly the latest date, if ever, at which custody was had and when and to whom custody was transferred. If it appears that a transfer of custody was made to avoid the writ of habeas corpus, the party making the return may be imprisoned, in the discretion of the judge hearing the case, until the body of the party kept or detained is produced.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 3920; Code 1868, § 3944; Code 1873, § 4020; Code 1882, § 4020; Penal Code 1895, § 1221; Penal Code 1910, § 1302; Code 1933, § 50-113.