Piercing of the Body

1. Law
2. Georgia Code
3. Crimes and Offenses
4. Crimes Against the Person
5. Cruelty to Children
6. 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.

- Body art 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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