ATLANTA — A new bill is being considered by Georgia lawmakers that would change the way that the use of creative works is judged at trial.
Georgia state rep Kasey Carpenter is pushing for legislation that would bar the use of art and music as evidence at trials. This includes song lyrics.
Song lyrics were used as evidence in court most recently during the Young Thug trial when the Atlanta rapper’s lyrics were criticized on multiple occasions.
In 2024, the Atlanta city council committee also pushed to limit the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials.
“Led by District 12 Council member Antonio Lewis, has taken a proactive step toward ensuring fair and just legal proceedings by passing a crucial resolution. The legislation urges the Georgia General Assembly to review and amend its statutes, specifically Title 17, Chapter 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, to explicitly limit the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials,” according to a release in 2024.
Council member Lewis previously said the resolution is a significant step.
“Our resolution is a significant step toward rectifying an issue that has disproportionately affected individuals within marginalized communities.
The bill would require attorneys to meet with the judge to show the specific relevance to the case in order for creative works to be used as evidence.