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O.C.G.A. § 16-5-71.1 — Piercing of the body | Georgia Code
O.C.G.A. § 16-5-71.1 (2018) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Scholar Amendments

TITLE 16 CRIMES AND OFFENSES

Section 5. Crimes Against the Person, 16-5-1 through 16-5-110.

ARTICLE 5 CRUELTY TO CHILDREN

16-5-71.1. Piercing of the body.

  1. It shall be unlawful for any person to pierce the body, with the exception of the ear lobes, of any person under the age of 18 for the purpose of allowing the insertion of earrings, jewelry, or similar objects into the body, unless the prior written consent of a custodial parent or guardian of such minor is obtained; provided, however, that the prohibition contained in this subsection shall not apply if:
    1. Such person has been furnished with proper identification showing that the individual is 18 years of age or older; and
    2. The person reasonably believes such minor to be 18 years of age or older.
  2. Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Code 1981, §16-5-71.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 645, § 1.)

Cross references.

- Tattoing studios, § 31-40-1 et seq.

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

Age certification.

- Defendant's conviction of piercing the body of a person under the age of 18, O.C.G.A. § 16-5-71.1(a), was proper since the defendant did not verify that an individual was, in fact, 18 years of age before the defendant pierced the individual's tongue. At the time, the individual was 17 years old. Sparks v. State, 292 Ga. App. 143, 664 S.E.2d 247 (2008).

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This Georgia Code resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, a personal injury and workers' compensation attorney admitted in Georgia (State Bar of Georgia No. 881027, since 2006) and Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.