# 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. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances ## Possible penalties WhenPenaltyPart 1 — disobeying a lawful demand of a law-enforcement officerA fine of GEL 2,000–5,000 or up to 60 days of administrative detentionPart 2 — verbally insulting, swearing at or otherwise insulting an officerA fine of GEL 2,000–5,000 or up to 60 days of administrative detentionPart 3 — repeated after an administrative penaltyA fine of GEL 3,500–6,000 or 7 to 60 days of administrative detentionIn additionLoss 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 - [Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/28216) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. Related practice area: [Administrative law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) ## Related topics - [#Public authorities](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) - [#Your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - - [Petty hooliganism — Article 166](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/petty-hooliganism-article-166/) - - [Administrative law lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) - - [Drunk driving in Georgia: fines, licence, prison](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/drunk-driving-in-georgia/) - - [How to appeal a fine in Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/how-to-appeal-a-fine/) - - [Criminal defence lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - - [Cybercrime lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) - - [Juvenile lawyer in Georgia: legal help for minors](https://mmlaw.ge/en/juvenile-justice-lawyer/) - - [Residence permits · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/residence-permit-in-georgia/) Criminal law ## Crimes and penalties - [Petty hooliganism](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/petty-hooliganism-article-166/) — Article 166 Swearing and insulting people in public: a fine up to GEL 3,000 or up to 20 days of administrative detention. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/disobeying-police-article-173/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge