GA Code § 51-7-20 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 51 - Torts|Chapter 7 - False Arrest, False Imprisonment, Malicious Prosecution, and Abusive Litigation|Article 2 - False Imprisonment|§ 51-7-20. False Imprisonment Defined

 False imprisonment is the unlawful detention of the person of another, for any length of time, whereby such person is deprived of his personal liberty.   (Orig. Code 1863, § 2932; Code 1868, § 2939; Code 1873, § 2990; Code 1882, § 2990; Civil Code 1895, § 3851; Civil Code 1910, § 4447; Code 1933, § 105-901.)   Cross references.   - Criminal penalties for false imprisonment, §§ 16-5-41,16-5-42.   Law reviews.   - For article surveying torts law, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 271 (1982).   JUDICIAL DECISIONS   ANALYSIS    General Consideration   Applicability to Specific Cases    RESEARCH REFERENCES   Am. Jur. 2d.   - 32 Am. Jur. 2d, False Imprisonment, § 1 et seq.   C.J.S.   - 35 C.J.S., False Imprisonment, § 1 et seq.   ALR.    - Civil liability of judicial officer for false imprisonment, 13 A.L.R. 1344; 55 A.L.R. 282; 173 A.L.R. 802.    Malice and want of probable cause as elements of action for false imprisonment, 19 A.L.R. 671; 137 A.L.R. 504.    Necessity of showing termination of prosecution in action for false imprisonment, 25 A.L.R. 1518.    Detention as result of dispute over payment of bill for cash service as false imprisonment, 26 A.L.R. 1333.    Charge of larceny and circumstances accompanying same as detention that will support action for false imprisonment, 31 A.L.R. 314.    Liability of jailer for false imprisonment, 46 A.L.R. 806.    False imprisonment predicated upon conduct of master towards servant not amounting to actual arrest, 49 A.L.R. 1309.    Action for malicious prosecution or false arrest based on extradition proceeding, 55 A.L.R. 353.    Venue of civil action for false imprisonment, 133 A.L.R. 1122.   Liability, for false imprisonment or arrest, of a private person answering call of known or asserted peace or police officer to assist in making arrest which turns out to be unlawful, 29 A.L.R.2d 825.   When statute of limitations begins to run against action for false imprisonment or false arrest, 49 A.L.R.2d 922.   Truant or attendance officer's liability for assault and battery or false imprisonment, 62 A.L.R.2d 1328.   Judgment in false imprisonment action as res judicata in later malicious prosecution action, or vice versa, 86 A.L.R.2d 1385.   Delay in taking before magistrate or denial of opportunity to give bail as supporting action for false imprisonment, 98 A.L.R.2d 966; 3 A.L.R.4th 1057.   False arrest or imprisonment: entrapment as precluding justification of arrest or imprisonment, 15 A.L.R.3d 963.   False imprisonment: civil liability of private person as affected by invalidity of statute or ordinance for violation of which arrest was made, 16 A.L.R.3d 535.   Liability, for false arrest or imprisonment, of private person detaining child, 20 A.L.R.3d 1441.   Attorneys' fees as element of damages in action for false imprisonment or arrest, or for malicious prosecution, 21 A.L.R.3d 1068.   Liability of attorney acting for client, for false imprisonment or malicious prosecution of third party, 27 A.L.R.3d 1113; 46 A.L.R.4th 249.   Liability for false imprisonment predicated upon institution of, or conduct in connection with, insanity proceedings, 30 A.L.R.3d 523.   Construction and effect, in false imprisonment action, of statute providing for detention of suspected shoplifters, 47 A.L.R.3d 998.   Principal's liability for punitive damages because of false arrest or imprisonment, or malicious prosecution, by agent or employee, 93 A.L.R.3d 826.   Defendant's state of mind necessary or sufficient to warrant award of punitive damages in action for false arrest or imprisonment, 93 A.L.R.3d 1109.   False imprisonment: liability of private citizen, calling on police for assistance after disturbance or trespass, for false arrest by officer, 98 A.L.R.3d 542.   Delay in taking before magistrate or denial of opportunity to give bail as supporting action for false imprisonment, 3 A.L.R.4th 1057.   False imprisonment in connection with confinement in nursing home or hospital, 4 A.L.R.4th 449.   Construction and application of state statute providing compensation for wrongful conviction and incarceration, 34 A.L.R.4th 648.   Excessiveness or inadequacy of punitive damages awarded in personal injury or death cases, 35 A.L.R.4th 441.   Liability for false arrest or imprisonment under warrant as affected by mistake as to identity of person arrested, 39 A.L.R.4th 705.   Excessiveness or inadequacy of compensatory damages for false imprisonment or arrest, 48 A.L.R.4th 165.   Excessiveness or inadequacy of punitive damages awarded in personal injury or death cases, 12 A.L.R.5th 195.   Construction and application of Federal Tort Claims Act provision (28 USCA § 2680(h)) excepting from coverage claims arising out of false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, or abuse of process, 152 A.L.R. Fed. 605.