(Deleted in light of OCGA §§ 24-4-404 (b), 24-4-412 — 24-4-414, and 24-4-417, which set forth procedures for addressing the admissibility of “other crimes, wrongs, or acts.”)
Deleted effective June 4, 2015.
Rule 31.3.Notice of Prosecution’s Intent to Present Evidence of Similar Transactions
Rule 31. MOTIONS, DEMURRERS, SPECIAL PLEAS, AND SIMILAR ITEMS IN CRIMINAL MATTERS · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 31.3, which once required the state to give pretrial notice before introducing similar-transaction evidence, was deleted effective June 4, 2015, because Georgia’s Evidence Code, OCGA §§ 24-4-404(b) and 24-4-412 through 24-4-414 and 24-4-417, now supplies the procedures for admitting evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts.
Full Text of Rule 31.3
Plain-English Summary
Rule 31.3 is a placeholder now. It once set out the procedure for the state to give notice before offering evidence of a defendant’s similar transactions — other crimes or acts used to show pattern, intent, or identity. The Uniform Superior Court Rules deleted it in 2015.
The deletion note explains why: Georgia’s statutory Evidence Code took over the job. OCGA § 24-4-404(b) and the surrounding sections, 24-4-412 through 24-4-414 and 24-4-417, now set the procedures for deciding whether evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts can come in at trial.
For anyone reading Rule 31, this history matters. A case citing “Rule 31.3” from before 2015 was relying on a procedure that no longer exists as a court rule — the governing framework now lives in the statute books instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rule 31.3 currently contain any operative procedure?
No. The rule has been deleted, and the remaining text explains only why it was deleted.
When was Rule 31.3 deleted?
Effective June 4, 2015.
What replaced the procedure that Rule 31.3 used to provide?
OCGA §§ 24-4-404(b) and 24-4-412 through 24-4-414 and 24-4-417, which set forth procedures for addressing the admissibility of evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts.
What kind of evidence did the old Rule 31.3 address?
Evidence of similar transactions, meaning other crimes, wrongs, or acts of the defendant offered by the prosecution.
Should a current filing rely on Rule 31.3 for similar-transaction notice procedure?
No, since the rule is deleted and the governing procedures now come from the cited sections of the Evidence Code.
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: similar transaction evidence rule GeorgiaUSCR Rule 31.3 deletedOCGA 24-4-404(b) noticeprior bad acts evidence Georgia superior courtsimilar transactions notice repealed