Disobeying the police — Article 173 (admin.)
Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences punishes disobeying a lawful order or demand of a police officer, another law-enforcement officer or a person treated as one, as well as verbally insulting or swearing at them. It is an administrative case, but the outcome can be up to 60 days of detention — so a lawyer matters here too.
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Possible penalties
| When | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Part 1 — disobeying a lawful demand of a law-enforcement officer | A fine of GEL 2,000–5,000 or up to 60 days of administrative detention |
| Part 2 — verbally insulting, swearing at or otherwise insulting an officer | A fine of GEL 2,000–5,000 or up to 60 days of administrative detention |
| Part 3 — repeated after an administrative penalty | A fine of GEL 3,500–6,000 or 7 to 60 days of administrative detention |
| In addition | Loss of the right to carry a weapon for up to 3 years; for a foreigner — possible expulsion and an entry ban of up to 3 years |
Penalties follow the current text of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In a specific case the outcome depends on the circumstances, compensation of damage, a plea agreement and other factors.
What matters for the defence
- Whether the police demand was lawful — disobeying an unlawful demand is not an offence
- Video — body cameras, phones, witnesses
- Accuracy of the record and respect for detention time limits
- Unpaid fines: on a repeat, detention is imposed instead of a fine — this must be considered
If you were detained for an administrative offence
- You must be brought before a court within 24 hours; to gather evidence this can be extended once by another 24 hours — otherwise you must be released
- Ask for a lawyer — a court decides the case and the outcome can be administrative detention
- Sign the record only after reading it; if you disagree, write down your objection
- The court's decision can be appealed within 10 days of receiving it
Questions & answers
What is the penalty under Article 173?
A fine of GEL 2,000–5,000 or up to 60 days of administrative detention. On a repeat — GEL 3,500–6,000 or 7 to 60 days.
How long can they hold me before court?
A person detained administratively must be brought before a court within 24 hours; to gather evidence this can be extended once by 24 hours.
Can I appeal?
Yes. The court's decision can be appealed within 10 days of receiving it.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Related practice area: Administrative law
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