Upon request of defense counsel, the district attorney shall furnish to defense counsel as an officer of the court, in confidence, the addresses and telephone numbers of the state’s witnesses to the extent such are within the knowledge of the district attorney, unless for good cause the judge allows an exception to this requirement, in which event defense counsel shall be afforded an opportunity to interview such witnesses prior to the witness being called to testify.
Rule 30.3.List of Witnesses
Rule 30. ARRAIGNMENT · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 30.3 entitles defense counsel, on request, to receive the state’s witnesses’ addresses and phone numbers in confidence from the district attorney, unless the judge finds good cause for an exception and instead grants defense counsel a pretrial interview opportunity.
Full Text of Rule 30.3
Plain-English Summary
Rule 30.3 gives defense counsel a tool for tracking down the state’s witnesses before trial. On request, the district attorney has to hand over the addresses and phone numbers of the state’s witnesses, to the extent the district attorney knows them, and the information is shared with defense counsel in confidence, as an officer of the court.
The rule builds in one exception. If the judge finds good cause, the court can excuse the district attorney from that disclosure requirement. But that exception comes with its own trade-off: defense counsel still has to get a chance to interview the withheld witnesses before they testify at trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the district attorney provide to defense counsel on request?
The addresses and telephone numbers of the state’s witnesses, to the extent such information is within the district attorney’s knowledge.
In what capacity does defense counsel receive this witness information?
Defense counsel receives it in confidence, as an officer of the court.
Can the district attorney ever withhold this information?
Yes, if for good cause the judge allows an exception to the disclosure requirement.
What happens if the judge allows an exception?
Defense counsel must be afforded an opportunity to interview the withheld witnesses before they are called to testify.
Who initiates the request for witness contact information?
Defense counsel requests it; the district attorney furnishes it upon that request.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: state witness list disclosure GeorgiaUSCR Rule 30.3defense access to prosecution witnesseswitness contact information criminal case Georgiapretrial witness interview rule