Georgia Code
Article 3 - First Offenders
§ 42-8-61. Defendant to Be Informed of Eligibility for Sentencing as First Offender

When a defendant is represented by an attorney, his or her attorney shall be responsible for informing the defendant as to his or her eligibility for sentencing as a first offender. When a defendant is pro se, the court shall inquire as to the defendant’s interest in entering a plea pursuant to the terms of this article. If the defendant expresses a desire to be sentenced as a first offender, the court shall ask the prosecuting attorney or probation official if the defendant is eligible for sentencing as a first offender. When imposing a sentence, the court shall ensure that, if a defendant is sentenced as a first offender, he or she is made aware of the consequences of entering a first offender plea pursuant to the terms of this article.
History. Ga. L. 1968, p. 324, § 3; Ga. L. 1982, p. 1807, § 2; Ga. L. 2015, p. 422, § 5-74/HB 310; Ga. L. 2016, p. 443, § 6A-1/SB 367.
The 2015 amendment, effective July 1, 2015, substituted the present provisions of this Code section for the former provisions, which read: “The defendant shall be informed of the terms of this article at the time of imposition of sentence.” See Editor’s notes for applicability.
Editor’s notes.
Ga. L. 2015, p. 422, § 6-1/HB 310, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “This Act shall become effective July 1, 2015, and shall apply to sentences entered on or after such date.”
Ga. L. 2016, p. 443, § 6A-1/SB 367, effective July 1, 2016, reenacted this Code section without change.
Law reviews.
For article on the 2015 amendment of this Code section, see 32 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 231 (2015).
For article on the 2016 amendment of this Code section, see 33 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 139 (2016).

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