reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 45-16-33 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-33. Coroner to Make Inquest Upon Completion of Examination and Verification

 Upon the completion of the medical examiner's inquiry by the medical examiner, as provided in Code Section 45-16-24, and after verification by the division when such verification is required, the coroner shall then make an inquest into the death of such deceased person as provided in Code Section 45-16-27.   (Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 10; Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 7; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL    The Constitution of Georgia of 1983 does not affect the statutory authority of coroners to hold inquests.  1983 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U83-46.   Inquest and post-mortem not necessary.    - The provisions of O.C.G.A. § 45-16-27(a), relating to the necessity to taking inquests, have been construed as being somewhat limited by other sections of the Act, viz., O.C.G.A. §§ 45-16-24,45-16-25, and46-16-33, in that, an inquest and post-mortem would not be necessary when there is sufficient evidence to disclose the cause of death. 1957 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 21.   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 7 et seq.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 9 et seq.   ALR.    - When holding of inquest or autopsy justified, 48 A.L.R. 1209.
GA Code § 45-16-34 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-34. Issuance of Subpoenas; Administration of Oath to Witnesses

  The coroner shall issue subpoenas to or otherwise compel the attendance of witnesses; and he shall administer to such witnesses the following oath:  "The evidence that you shall give this inquest on behalf of the state concerning the death of ____________ (or a person unknown, as the case may be) shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God."    When a coroner conducts an inquest into the death of an individual, he shall be authorized to issue subpoenas to compel production of any books, records, or papers relevant to the cause of death.Any books, records, or papers received by the coroner pursuant to the subpoena must be regarded as confidential information and privileged and not subject to disclosure under Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.The actual costs of copying any books, records, or papers for the purpose of responding to a coroner's subpoena under this subsection shall be paid out of county funds to the person or entity required to respond to that subpoena, and the governing authority of the county of which that coroner is a public officer shall pay those costs within 30 days after a bill therefor is submitted to the county; provided, however, that the county shall not be responsible for duplication costs under $25.00.    (Laws 1823, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 539; Code 1863, § 4007; Code 1868, § 4035; Code 1873, § 4106; Code 1882, § 4106; Penal Code 1895, § 1263; Penal Code 1910, § 1345; Code 1933, § 21-207; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 11; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1594, § 3; Ga. L. 1988, p. 13, § 45; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 12 et seq.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 17 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-35 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-35. Coroner to Require Material Witnesses to Enter Into Recognizance; Petition for Issuance of Warrant for Arrest of Suspected Person

 If the inquest discloses facts which lead or may lead to the prosecution of any person for the homicide of the person for whom the inquest is held, the coroner shall require all witnesses who testify to facts material to the issues involved in such prosecution to enter into a recognizance to appear in the superior court of the county in which the inquest is held and to give evidence against the defendant in such prosecution; and he shall also petition for the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person suspected of the homicide, which warrant shall be returnable as other warrants.   (Laws 1823, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 539; Code 1863, § 4008; Code 1868, § 4036; Code 1873, § 4107; Code 1882, § 4107; Penal Code 1895, § 1264; Penal Code 1910, § 1346; Code 1933, § 21-208; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 12; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Examination of witnesses by suspect's attorney.   - An attorney representing a suspected criminal would not have a legal right to appear at such inquest and examine witnesses. 1963-65 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 157.   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 12 et seq.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 17 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-36 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-36. Impaneling of Jury to Hold Inquest; Compensation of Jurors

 The coroner shall summon and impanel five jurors and one alternate juror to hold an inquest, which jurors shall decide the verdict by a majority vote. The first grand jury impaneled at the fall term of the superior courts of the several counties shall fix the compensation of said jurors for the next succeeding year but such compensation shall not be less than $5.00 nor more than $25.00 per diem. It shall be the duty of the coroner or other person discharging the duties of the coroner to give a certificate of the fact of such service to each juror. Upon presentation of such certificate to the proper fiscal authority of the county in which the inquest is held, such fiscal authority shall pay the juror for his services.   (Laws 1823, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 538; Ga. L. 1884-85, p. 92, § 1; Ga. L. 1893, p. 116, § 3; Penal Code 1895, § 1257; Penal Code 1910, § 1339; Code 1933, § 21-209; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 204, § 1; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 13; Ga. L. 1969, p. 761, § 1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 718, §§ 1, 2; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 13.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 14 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-37 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-37. When Jury to Be Impaneled; Jury Not Required to View Body

 No coroner's jury shall be impaneled until the investigation is completed and copies of the reports of the medical examiner and the peace officer in charge are received by the coroner. The jury is not required to view the body.   (Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 9; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)
GA Code § 45-16-38 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-38. Issuance of Precept to Sheriff to Summon Inquest Jury; Form

 Whenever a coroner receives notice of the death of any person within the limits of the county of which he is coroner, which death occurred under circumstances which make it his duty, under the law, to hold an inquest, he shall make out a precept directed to the sheriff or any constable of the county having jurisdiction requiring him to summon a jury of inquest selected from the grand jury or traverse jury lists of the last excused term of the superior court of such county to appear before the coroner at the time and place mentioned in the precept, which precept may be in the following form: State of Georgia ______________ County To the sheriff or any lawful constable of said county, Greeting: You are required immediately to summon six persons of said county, chosen from the lists of grand jurors and traverse jurors of the last excused term of the superior court of said county, to be and appear before me, the undersigned, coroner of the county aforesaid, at ________, in said county, on the ________ day of ____________ at ______ :______ ____. M. of that same day, then and there to inquire of, do, and execute all such things as in behalf of the state shall be given them in charge concerning the death of ______________ (or a person unknown, as the case may be), and be you then and there with this precept to certify what you have done in the premises and further to do whatsoever else may in behalf of the state be enjoined upon you. Given under my hand and seal, this the ________ day of ________, in the year of our Lord ____________. ______________ Coroner (L.S.)   Such precept shall be immediately executed by the sheriff or constable in whose hands it may be placed; and, if the services of the sheriff or a constable cannot be conveniently obtained, the coroner may summon the jury himself.   (Laws 1823, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 537; Code 1863, § 4002; Code 1868, § 4030; Code 1873, § 4101; Code 1882, § 4101; Penal Code 1895, § 1259; Penal Code 1910, § 1341; Code 1933, § 21-210; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 14; Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 8; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 415, § 45.)   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Summoning jurors.   - A coroner is authorized to use discretion in summoning jurors personally, or procuring the services of the sheriff for this duty. 1952-53 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 294.   Persons qualified to serve as jurors.   - Only those persons whose names appear in the grand jury and traverse jury lists for the terms of the superior court next preceding are qualified to serve as jurors at a coroner's inquest. 1952-53 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 294.   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 13.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 14 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-39 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-39. Oath for Foreperson and Jury of Inquest

  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."    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."     (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.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 13.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 14 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-40 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-40. Coroner's Charge to Jury; Power of Jury

  The coroner shall charge the jurors to declare, and they shall so declare, whether the person for whom the inquest is held died by:   Homicide;   Suicide;   Accident;   Natural causes; or   Undetermined causes  and all of the circumstances relating to the death.      The jury shall have full and unrestricted power to inquire and pass upon all the matters and things thus given them in charge and they shall have this power even if the whole or a part of the charge is omitted.    (Laws 1823, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 538; Code 1863, § 4006; Code 1868, § 4034; Code 1873, § 4105; Code 1882, § 4105; Penal Code 1895, § 1262; Penal Code 1910, § 1344; Code 1933, § 21-213; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 17; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 13.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 14 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-41 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-41. Defaulting Juror to Be Fined by Coroner

 Any juror failing to attend and serve on a coroner's inquest after being duly summoned may be fined by the coroner in a sum not exceeding $100.00 to be levied and collected by execution issued by the coroner unless such defaulting juror shall file in the office of the judge of the probate court a good and sufficient excuse for the default to be judged by the next probate court held thereafter.   (Laws 1823, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 538; Code 1863, § 4003; Code 1868, § 4031; Code 1873, § 4102; Code 1882, § 4102; Penal Code 1895, § 1260; Penal Code 1910, § 1342; Code 1933, § 21-211; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 15; Ga. L. 1984, p. 812, § 6; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 14 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-42 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-42. Offering in Evidence of Results of Examination

 In all inquests the results of the medical examiner's inquiry performed shall be offered in evidence either by oral testimony of the medical examiner or by introduction of a copy of the report filed with the director of the division, as verified in the cases requiring verification. The jury shall be free to reach a verdict in accord or discord with such evidence but in all cases such evidence must be presented to them for their consideration.   (Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 18; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Legal effect of coroner's decision.   - The decisions of a coroner or inquest are nothing more legally than a statement of an expert opinion as to the nature of the decedent's death, and, as such, lack any legally binding significance. 1967 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 67-378.   The decision of a coroner once reached, and a death certificate filed, is as final and binding as a verdict rendered by a coroner's jury. 1967 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 67-378.   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 7 et seq.   ALR.   - Reviewing, setting aside, or quashing of verdict at coroner's inquest, 78 A.L.R.2d 1218.   Official death certificate as evidence of cause of death in civil or criminal action, 21 A.L.R.3d 418.
GA Code § 45-16-43 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-43. Receipt as Evidence of Records, Findings, and Reports of Medical Examiners' Inquiries

 Reserved. Repealed by Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 88/HB 24, effective January 1, 2013.   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2016, p. 846, § 45/HB 737, effective May 3, 2016, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, reserved the designation of this Code section.   This Code section was based on Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 19; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.   Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 101/HB 24, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that this Act shall apply to any motion made or hearing or trial commenced on or after January 1, 2013.
GA Code § 45-16-44 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-44. Disposition of Bodies After Examination and Inquest; Payment of Burial Expenses From Deceased's Estate

 After the medical examiner's inquiry and inquest have been completed, the dead body shall be delivered to the person legally entitled thereto for burial. If no person claims the body, it shall be turned over to the coroner of the county where death occurred for disposition as provided by law. If the deceased has an estate out of which burial expenses can be paid, either in whole or in part, such estate shall be taken for such purpose before any expense under this Code section is imposed upon any county.   (Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 20; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   ALR.   - Enforcement of preference expressed by decedent as to disposition of his body after death, 54 A.L.R.3d 1037.
GA Code § 45-16-45 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-45. Authority of Coroners and Medical Examiners to Disinter Bodies

 In order to implement this article, coroners are authorized to disinter any body already buried and, like a sheriff, to command the power of the county for that purpose. Medical examiners,other than local medical examiners, may likewise exercise such authority in any case wherein such authority is granted by an order of the judge of the superior court of the county. Such orders may be granted by judges of the superior courts, in their discretion, upon petition of any medical examiner other than a local medical examiner.   (Orig. Code 1863, § 567; Code 1868, § 631; Code 1873, § 590; Code 1882, § 590; Penal Code 1895, § 1258; Penal Code 1910, § 1340; Code 1933, § 21-205; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 21; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   Cross references.   - Penalty for disinterment of body without good grounds, § 31-21-42.   JUDICIAL DECISIONS   When authority exercisable.    - O.C.G.A. § 45-16-45 is not intended to authorize a medical examiner to bring an action seeking disinterment unless the medical examiner is acting in an official capacity. Wilson v. Wilson, 257 Ga. 584, 361 S.E.2d 381 (1987).    Cited in  Stephens v. National Gypsum Co., 685 F. Supp. 847 (M.D. Ga. 1988).   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 22A Am. Jur. 2d, Dead Bodies, § 50 et seq.   C.J.S.   - 25A C.J.S., Dead Bodies, §§ 2, 3, 12, 40.   ALR.   - Removal and reinterment of remains, 21 A.L.R.2d 472.   Power of court to order disinterment and autopsy or examination for evidential purposes in civil case, 21 A.L.R.2d 538.   Disinterment in criminal cases, 63 A.L.R.3d 1294.
GA Code § 45-16-47 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-47. Penalty for Violation of Article

 Except as provided in Code Section 45-16-30, any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.   (Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 9; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)
GA Code § 45-16-48 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-48. Coroner's Employment of Court Reporter

 A coroner may be authorized to employ, at his discretion, a court reporter who is certified under Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 15, "The Georgia Court Reporting Act," to record the proceedings of any inquest.The cost of acquiring the services of a certified court reporter shall be paid from the funds of the county where the inquest is held.    (Code 1981, §45-16-48, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 812, § 8; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)
GA Code § 45-16-49 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-49. Fees

 The fees heretofore authorized to be paid in cases arising under this article prior to May 1, 1997, shall continue to be paid at the rate specified therein until such time as the Board of Public Safety promulgates rules prescribing such fees as provided by paragraph (5) of Code Section 35-3-151.    (Code 1981, §45-16-49, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 128, § 45.)   Editor's notes.   - This Code section as enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 128, § 45, is a codification of Ga. L. 1997, p. 1421, § 11(b).
GA Code § 45-16-50 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-50. Providing Biological Substances to Canine Instructors or Schools

 A medical examiner within the state of Georgia is authorized to provide to an approved canine instructor or school certain biological substances such as human blood or bodily fluids for the sole purpose of utilizing such substances for the training and handling of police canines in body recovery of human remains or rescue of persons. Such biological substances shall be contained and transported in accordance with appropriate health and safety standards.    (Code 1981, §45-16-50, enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 610, § 2/SB 38.)
GA Code § 45-16-51 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-51. Interment of Unidentified Human Remains; Disinterment for Identification

  The chief medical examiner shall be authorized to inter unidentified human remains after the peace officer in charge has exhausted all efforts in identifying such remains.   Notwithstanding Code Section 45-16-45, the chief medical examiner shall have the authority to disinter remains interred pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section when the chief medical examiner determines that further information can be obtained or further testing can be performed that may result in the identification of such remains.     (Code 1981, §45-16-51, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 253, § 1/SB 385.)   Cross references.   - Cemetery and funeral services, T. 10, C. 14.   Disposition of dead bodies, T. 31, C. 21.    Permits for disposition, disinterment, and reinterment, § 31-10-20.
GA Code § 45-16-60 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 3 - Georgia Coroner's Training Council|§ 45-16-60. Short Title

 This article shall be known as "The Georgia Coroner's Training Council Act."    (Code 1981, §45-16-60, enacted by Ga. L. 1985, p. 797, § 1.)
GA Code § 45-16-61 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 3 - Georgia Coroner's Training Council|§ 45-16-61. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Certified coroner" means a coroner who has the appropriate required certificate of training issued by the council on file with the Board of Public Safety.   "Coroner" means any person appointed or elected in a county to serve as coroner or deputy coroner.   "Council" means the Georgia Coroner's Training Council.   "School" means any school, college, university, academy, or training program approved by the council and the Board of Public Safety which offers basic, in-service, advanced, specialized, or continuing training, or a combination thereof, and includes within its meaning a combination of course curriculum, instructors, and facilities which meets the standards required by the council.     (Code 1981, §45-16-61, enacted by Ga. L. 1985, p. 797, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 8, § 45.)