Any person who has been indicted for an offense punishable by death may enter a plea of guilty at any time after his indictment, and the judge of the superior court having jurisdiction may, in his discretion, sentence the person to life imprisonment or to any other punishment authorized by law for the offense named in the indictment; provided, however, that the judge must find one of the statutory aggravating circumstances provided in Code Section 17-10-30 before imposing the death penalty, except in cases of treason or aircraft hijacking.
History. Ga. L. 1956, p. 737, § 1; Ga. L. 1973, p. 159, § 8.
Law reviews.
For annual survey of death penalty decisions, see 57 Mercer L. Rev. 139 (2005); 58 Mercer L. Rev. 111 (2006).
Structure Georgia Code
Chapter 10 - Sentence and Punishment
Article 2 - Death Penalty Generally
§ 17-10-30. Procedure for Imposition of Death Penalty Generally
§ 17-10-35.2. Hearing to Determine Appropriateness of Interim Appellate Review of Pretrial Rulings
§ 17-10-36. Establishment of Unified Review Procedure by Supreme Court; Effect on Habeas Corpus
§ 17-10-38. Death Sentences Generally
§ 17-10-41. Persons Required to Be Present at Executions
§ 17-10-42. Preparation and Filing of Certification of Execution
§ 17-10-42.1. Participation of Medical Professionals in Executions
§ 17-10-43. Disposition of Body of Executed Person; Payment of Expenses of Transporting Body