reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 45-16-7 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 45-16-7. Appointment of Deputy Coroners; Oath, Bond, Fees, Powers, and Qualifications

  As soon as practicable after July 1, 1980, and at the beginning of each term of the coroner thereafter, the coroner of each county shall appoint a deputy coroner or coroners as provided in this Code section. A deputy coroner shall be appointed for each county, and one or more additional deputy coroners may be appointed for any county, in the discretion of the coroner. Each deputy coroner shall serve at the pleasure of the coroner and may be replaced by the coroner at any time. Each deputy coroner shall take the same oath, give the same bond, be entitled to the same fees, and have the same powers as the coroner; but a deputy coroner shall act as coroner only when the coroner is himself unable to act.   No person shall be eligible to hold the office of deputy coroner unless he or she holds a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Any deputy coroner who is in office on July 1, 1980, however, shall without limitation be eligible to serve as deputy coroner at any time after said date without regard to whether he or she meets the requirements of this subsection.   Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, there shall be appointed only one deputy coroner, and, on and after July 1, 1999, there shall only be one deputy coroner in each such county unless otherwise approved by the local governing authority of the county.     (Code 1933, §§ 21-102.1, 21-108, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 543, §§ 1, 3; Code 1981, §§45-16-7,45-16-8; Code 1981, §45-16-7, enacted by Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 3; Ga. L. 1999, p. 869, § 2.)   Editor's notes.   - The 1985 amendment, effective April 3, 1985, in effect redesignated former § 45-16-7 as present subsection (a) of this Code section, without any change of language, and redesignated former § 45-16-8(a) as subsection (b) of this Code section.   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Prohibited employment.   - An individual may not be employed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Division of Forensic Sciences at the same time that the individual is a county deputy coroner. 1997 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 97-21.
GA Code § 45-16-8 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 45-16-8. Service of Process When Sheriff Disqualified

 If any person makes an affidavit stating (1) that a sheriff is disqualified from acting in any proceeding, which disqualification was not apparent at the outset of the proceeding, or (2) that a sheriff or his deputy refuses to serve a writ or other process, then the clerk of the court from which the process issues shall place the process in the hands of the coroner for execution. The clerk may compel the sheriff to return the writ or other process to the clerk's office in order to allow for execution by the coroner.    (Orig. Code 1863, § 565; Code 1868, § 629; Code 1873, § 588; Code 1882, § 588; Civil Code 1895, § 496; Civil Code 1910, § 614; Code 1933, § 21-106; Code 1981, §45-16-9; Code 1981, §45-16-8, enacted by Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 3.)   Editor's notes.   - The 1985 amendment, effective April 3, 1985, in effect renumbered former § 45-16-9 as this Code section, without any change of language. For present provisions similar to former § 45-16-8, see §§ 45-16-6 and45-16-7(b).   JUDICIAL DECISIONS    Sheriffs are disqualified to perform their official duties in cases in which they have an interest. Abrams v. Abrams, 239 Ga. 866, 239 S.E.2d 33 (1977).   Service by de facto coroner.    - Process directed to one who is coroner de facto, and executed by the coroner, is good. Gunby, Daniel & Co. v. Welcher & Carter, 20 Ga. 336 (1856).   Improper levy dismissed on motion.    - When an execution is not directed to the coroner, and no affidavit was filed as required by this section, a levy by the coroner should be dismissed on motion. Blance & McGarough v. Mize, 72 Ga. 96 (1883); Baldwin v. Hudson, 103 Ga. 96, 29 S.E. 601 (1897).   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL    This section does not give the coroner power to arrest the sheriff in criminal matters.  1973 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 73-93.
GA Code § 45-16-9 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 45-16-9. Fees

  When performing the duties of a sheriff, the coroner's fees are the same as a sheriff's.   This Code section shall not be construed to repeal or preempt any local Act or general Act of local application which places any coroner upon an annual salary or authorizes any coroner to receive fees in excess of those specified in this Code section.     (Laws 1792, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 352; Ga. L. 1859, p. 25, § 1; Code 1863, § 3625; Code 1868, § 3650; Code 1873, § 3701; Ga. L. 1878-79, p. 73, § 1; Code 1882, § 3701; Penal Code 1895, § 1112; Penal Code 1910, § 1141; Code 1933, § 21-105; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 210, § 1; Ga. L. 1980, p. 543, § 2; Code 1981, §45-16-6; Code 1981, §45-16-9, enacted by Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 3.)   Cross references.   - Fees for services of sheriff, § 15-16-21.   Editor's notes.   - The 1985 amendment, effective April 3, 1985, in effect renumbered former § 45-16-6 as this Code section. For present provisions of former § 45-16-9, see § 45-16-8.   JUDICIAL DECISIONS    A coroner who personally summons a jury to hold an inquest is not entitled to any fee for such service. Davis v. County of Bibb, 116 Ga. 23, 42 S.E. 403 (1902).   Burial.    - It is not the duty of a coroner to bury any pauper bodies, except those in which an inquest have been held. Walker v. Sheftall, 73 Ga. 806 (1884).    The interment of a lot of bleached bones in a soap box without expense to anyone does not entitle a coroner to the fees of $15.00 for furnishing a coffin and burial expenses. Meads v. Dougherty County, 98 Ga. 697, 25 S.E. 915 (1896).   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Limitation on type of fees allowed.    - A coroner is not entitled to collect a fee for going to a collision and obtaining information concerning the collision, but the coroner's fees are limited to those given by O.C.G.A. § 45-16-9 unless there should be some special act dealing with the particular county involved, setting up other supplemental fees and duties. 1954-56 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 53.   When it is determined that an inquest is to be held, and the inquest is in fact held, the fee to which the coroner is entitled is the fee for the inquest; the coroner is not also entitled to an investigation fee of $25.00. 1963-65 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 780.   Fee for summoning jury.   - There is no law which makes it one of the duties of a sheriff to summon a jury of inquest; accordingly, if the sheriff had no duty in that connection, the sheriff would not be entitled to a fee. 1945-47 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 57.
GA Code § 45-16-10 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 45-16-10. Furnishing Information to Out-of-State Coroners

 Records, papers, or reports concerning the death of a person on file at any hospital, nursing home, or other medical facility in this state shall be available to a coroner of another state if such person was injured in, a resident of, or buried in the county of such coroner in such other state or if such records, papers, or reports are the subject of a subpoena issued by the coroner of another state. The release of such records to the coroner of another state shall not be prohibited by Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.    (Code 1981, §45-16-10, enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1594, § 1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 559, § 1.)   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Release of medical records.   - Medical facilities in this state may only release non-privileged portions of medical records to out-of-state coroners upon the receipt of: (1) satisfactory proof that the deceased person was a resident of, or buried in, the county of the out-of-state coroner; (2) satisfactory proof that, under the laws of the deceased's own state, the particular coroner's office is a court of record; and (3) a subpoena was issued and served in compliance with Georgia law. 1986 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 86-44.
GA Code § 45-16-11.1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 45-16-11.1. Compensation of County Coroners for Inmate Deaths in State Correctional Institutions

 In addition to the minimum salary provided for in Code Section 45-16-11, in any county which is the site of more than one state correctional institution or prison for adults or juveniles and which compensates the county coroner by salary, the state shall compensate the county coroner in the amount of $110.00 for each state inmate death in such county. The county coroner of such a county is authorized to accept the compensation provided in accordance with this Code section despite any local Act which requires such a coroner to send fees to the county treasury or the county governing authority.    (Code 1981, §45-16-11, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1159, § 17; Code 1981, §45-16-11.1, as redesignated by Ga. L. 2001, p. 902, § 18A.)
GA Code § 45-16-11.2 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 45-16-11.2. Monthly Contingent Expense Allowance for the Operation of the Office of Coroner

 In addition to any salary, fees, or expenses now or hereafter provided by law, the governing authority of each of the counties in this state in the following population bracket is authorized to provide as contingent expenses for the operation of the office of coroner, and payable from county funds, a monthly expense allowance of not less than the amount fixed in the following schedule:   Population Minimum Monthly Expenses ---------- -------------- 0 - 34,999 $ 50.00    (Code 1981, §45-16-11.2, enacted by Ga. L. 2001, p. 902, § 18A; Ga. L. 2011, p. 752, § 45/HB 142.)
GA Code § 45-16-20 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-20. Short Title

 This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Death Investigation Act."   (Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   ALR.   - Civil liability in conjunction with autopsy, 97 A.L.R.5th 419.
GA Code § 45-16-23 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-23. Delegation of Power by Coroner or County Medical Examiner; Qualifications of Those Authorized to Perform Examinations

  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any coroner or county medical examiner may delegate to a local medical examiner, forensic consultant, or medical examiner's investigator the power to perform those duties of such coroner or medical examiner specified in this Code section if the person to whom such power is thus delegated meets the applicable requirements of this Code section for the performance of such duties, but the performance of those delegated duties shall not in any manner infringe upon or diminish the authority of the peace officer in charge at the scene of the crime.   A local medical examiner shall be a licensed physician appointed by the state medical examiner to perform scene investigations, external examinations, limited dissections, autopsies, or any combination of such duties.   A forensic consultant shall be an expert in a field of forensic science, including but not limited to odontology or anthropology, appointed and authorized by the state medical examiner to examine human remains and evidence under the medical examiner's jurisdiction.   A medical examiner's investigator shall be a person employed by a medical examiner to perform duties of such medical examiner with the same authority as the medical examiner while at the scene of death and during subsequent investigation, except that no medical examiner's investigator is authorized to make any arrest or perform official external examinations, limited dissections, or autopsies.    (Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 24; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)
GA Code § 45-16-25.1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-25.1. Releasing Remains of Deceased to Next of Kin; Exception

 A dead body, other than skeletal remains, taken into custody under this article shall be released to the next of kin of the deceased, or to the agent of the next of kin, no later than 24 hours after the demand for release by that next of kin, or agent thereof, unless by that time the peace officer, medical examiner, or coroner has made a written finding that foul play may have been involved in the death of the deceased.    (Code 1981, §45-16-25.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 728, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)
GA Code § 45-16-26 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-26. Assumption of Duties by Medical Examiner in Absence of Coroner or Deputy Coroner; Signing of Death Certificates

 When there is no coroner or deputy coroner in a county in which the office of coroner has not been replaced by a county medical examiner or when both are absent from the county when needed or will not or cannot perform the duties required under this article, the medical examiner shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the coroner. When the medical examiner is performing the duties of the coroner in such cases, such medical examiner may sign the death certificate except when an inquest is held.   (Orig. Code 1863, § 573; Code 1868, § 637; Code 1873, § 596; Code 1882, § 596; Civil Code 1895, § 4074; Penal Code 1895, § 1268; Civil Code 1910, § 4671; Penal Code 1910, § 1350; Code 1933, § 21-204; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 22; Ga. L. 1984, p. 812, § 3; Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 6; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 4.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 3 et seq.
GA Code § 45-16-27.1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-27.1. Medical Examination of Unexpected or Unexplained Death of Person Under Seven Years of Age

  Where a coroner or county medical examiner has been notified pursuant to paragraph (6) of subsection (a) of Code Section 45-16-24 of the death of any person after birth but before seven years of age whose death is unexpected or unexplained, the medical examiner's inquiry required by Code Section 45-16-25 shall include an autopsy unless that inquiry shows that such death was expected or explainable with a reasonable degree of medical certainty.   The provisions of this Code section shall apply notwithstanding subsection (b) of Code Section 45-16-22 or any other provision of this article.     (Code 1981, §45-16-27.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 415, § 45.)   Law reviews.   - For note on 1990 enactment of this Code section, see 7 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 268 (1990).
GA Code § 45-16-28 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-28. Performance of Autopsy When Not Required Under Code Section 45-16-24

 In the case of death of any person under such circumstances as would not require a medical examiner's inquiry under Code Section 45-16-24, any physician who is duly licensed under the laws of this state or any other state having licensing requirements equal to or greater than those imposed by this state shall be deemed to have been legally authorized to perform an autopsy upon the body of a deceased person when such autopsy has been consented to by the person assuming custody of the body for the purposes of burial, such as the husband, wife, father, mother, child, guardian, next of kin, or, in the absence of any of the foregoing, a friend of such deceased person charged by law with the responsibility of burial. If two or more of such persons assume custody of the body, the consent of one of them shall be deemed sufficient legal authorization for the performance of the autopsy.   (Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 6; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Authority to perform autopsy.   - It would be unwise to undertake an examination of the head or other parts of the body without complete authority to do so, especially in those cases in which the autopsy is not necessary to discover the cause of death or it is definitely known that the cause of death arose from a condition existing in some part of the body other than the head; it would be sufficient if the family of the deceased authorized a post-mortem examination including an examination of all areas of the body. 1958-59 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 295.   Autopsies on prison inmates.   - There is no provision for, nor is there any reason for, the warden of the Georgia State Prison to become involved in the granting of permission to physicians to perform autopsies upon the bodies of prison inmates who die at a hospital. 1967 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 67-445.   Neither notice nor permission required.   - There is no requirement that notice be given to the warden, nor that the warden secure permission for an autopsy from the next of kin. 1967 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 67-445.   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 10. 22A Am. Jur. 2d, Dead Bodies, § 41 et seq.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, §§ 7, 8. 25A C.J.S., Dead Bodies, § 8 et seq.   ALR.   - Liability for wrongful autopsy, 18 A.L.R.4th 858.
GA Code § 45-16-29 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-29. Removal of Body Generally

 No person shall move or authorize the removal of any body from the place where the same is found until the investigation is completed and such removal is authorized by the coroner or medical examiner present at such investigation; or, if no such coroner or medical examiner is present, the peace officer shall authorize such removal; provided, however, that this Code section shall not apply to the removal of a body where the death occurred while the person was a patient of a hospice licensed under Article 9 of Chapter 7 of Title 31. If the death resulted from an accident involving the operation of civil aircraft, no body shall be removed until authorized by the representative of the National Transportation Safety Board or the Federal Aviation Administration.   (Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 9; Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 7; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1073, § 3; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3; Ga. L. 1997, p. 1421, § 9.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 1997, p. 1421, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Forensic Sciences Act of 1997'".
GA Code § 45-16-30 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-30. Transport of Body Across State Line

 No person shall move or transport a body across a Georgia state line until the investigation of the case and the medical examiner's inquiry are complete and until the removal of the body is authorized by the coroner or medical examiner. Except when the conduct is a violation of Code Section 16-10-94, any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $1,000.00 or 60 days in jail, or both.   (Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 9; Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 8; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3; Ga. L. 1997, p. 1421, § 9.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 1997, p. 1421, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Forensic Sciences Act of 1997.'"
GA Code § 45-16-31 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-31. Authorization of Removal of Body for Convenience of Examination; Investigation of Premises Before Removal

 When the deceased body lies in a place inconvenient for holding a medical examiner's inquiry, the medical examiner or coroner shall be allowed to remove the body to the autopsy room of the nearest public hospital or morgue. If neither the coroner nor the medical examiner is immediately available, the peace officer may assume the authority to have the body moved to such facility. When such facility is not reasonably available, thebody may be removed to such other suitable place as may be designated by the coroner or the medical examiner or by the peace officer in charge in the absence of the coroner or medical examiner.If the peace officer in charge is present, no such body shall be removed until photographs of the body and surrounding premises have been made and a thorough investigation of the premises has been made by the proper investigating authorities.   (Laws 1850, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 540; Ga. L. 1862-63, p. 166, § 2; Code 1868, § 4039; Code 1873, § 4110; Code 1882, § 4110; Penal Code 1895, § 1269; Penal Code 1910, § 1351; Code 1933, § 21-206; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 7; Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 5; Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 9; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.)   Law reviews.   - For annual survey on local government law, see 68 Mercer L. Rev. 199 (2016).   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Unauthorized removal of body.   - The removal of a body to a funeral home without the direction of the peace officer, coroner, or medical examiner is a violation of the law and a misdemeanor. 1962 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 377.   RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 18 Am. Jur. 2d, Coroners or Medical Examiners, § 7 et seq. 22A Am. Jur. 2d, Dead Bodies, § 41 et seq.   C.J.S.   - 18 C.J.S., Coroners, § 7et seq. 25A C.J.S., Dead Bodies, §§ 2, 3, 5.   ALR.    - Constitutionality of statute or ordinance requiring, or permitting, removal of bodies from cemeteries, 71 A.L.R. 1040.
GA Code § 45-16-32 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 45 - Public Officers and Employees|Chapter 16 - Coroners|Article 2 - Death Investigations|§ 45-16-32. Report of Examination and Investigation; Maintenance of Copies; Verification of Foul Play by Forensic Laboratory; Transmittal of Copies of Reports to District Attorneys

 The medical examiner and coroner shall complete a report of each medical examiner's inquiry and coroner's investigation and shall maintain permanent records of such reports. The coroner or county medical examiner may file all original reports with the clerk of the superior court of the county. In cases where such report indicates a suspicion of foul play, the medical examiner and peace officer in charge shall transmit any specimens, samples, or other evidence to a forensic laboratory for analysis. In cases where reports indicating foul play are verified by the forensic laboratory, the laboratory shall provide a completed lab report to the appropriate prosecuting attorney where the acts or events leading to the death occurred.   (Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 602, § 4; Ga. L. 1960, p. 1009, § 3; Ga. L. 1984, p. 812, § 5; Ga. L. 1985, p. 843, § 10; Ga. L. 1989, p. 417, § 2; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3; Ga. L. 1999, p. 869, § 4; Ga. L. 2010, p. 574, § 2/HB 1095.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   ALR.    - Presumption against suicide as overcome by death certificate, coroner's verdict, or similar documentary evidence, 159 A.L.R. 181.