The right and power to organize work gangs or other means of confinement and to confine at labor therein, for a term not exceeding 30 days, persons convicted of violating the ordinances of municipal corporations is conferred on the municipal corporations or their respective authorities. In addition to other punishment allowed by law, municipal corporations, by and through their municipal courts, shall have the right and power to punish persons convicted of violating the ordinances of such municipal corporations by confinement or confinement at labor for a period of time not to exceed 30 days.
(Ga. L. 1880-81, p. 179, § 1; Code 1933, § 69-205.)
Law reviews.- For article, "Cities and Towns in Georgia: A Distinction with a Difference?," see 14 Mercer L. Rev. 385 (1963).
JUDICIAL DECISIONS
One purpose of this section is the broadening of powers of municipalities by permitting the imposition of an alternative sentence, which had previously been held to be taboo because it was coercive in nature. City of Albany v. Key, 124 Ga. App. 16, 183 S.E.2d 20 (1971).
This section is permissive, and not mandatory. City of Albany v. Key, 124 Ga. App. 16, 183 S.E.2d 20 (1971).
RESEARCH REFERENCES
Am. Jur. 2d.
- 21A Am. Jur. 2d, Criminal Law, §§ 862, 863. 56 Am. Jur. 2d, Municipal Corporations, Counties, and Other Political Subdivisions, § 361.
C.J.S.- 72 C.J.S., Prisons and Rights of Prisoners, §§ 1, 4.