Petty hooliganism — an administrative offence under Article 166
Petty hooliganism is an offence provided for by Article 166 of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia. Under the law, petty hooliganism is swearing in a public space, the insulting accosting of citizens and other such conduct that violates public order and/or the peace of citizens. This norm protects the normal state of public order and the right of citizens to be safe and calm in public space.
Although this is administrative and not criminal liability, the case ends with serious consequences: the fine is significant, and in case of a repeated commission administrative arrest is possible. This page describes in detail the composition of this article, the measures of the punishment and the additional circumstances that the law connects with this offence.
What a violation of public order means
The objective side of the offence is closely connected with the element of place: the conduct must be committed in a public space. The law lists the typical forms — swearing, the insulting accosting of citizens and other such conduct — and at the same time requires that the conduct violate public order and/or the peace of citizens. This element defines the boundary between ordinary interaction and an administrative offence.
The punishment for the basic composition
An offence provided for by the first part entails a fine in the amount of five hundred to three thousand lari or administrative arrest for a term of up to twenty days. Thus, even in the first instance the amount of the fine is noticeable.
Repeated commission — the second part
The second part provides a stricter consequence: the commission of the administrative offence provided for by this article by a person who has already been subjected to an administrative penalty under this article entails a fine in the amount of three thousand to five thousand lari or administrative arrest for a term of five to sixty days. The fact of repetition justifies a significant term of administrative arrest as well.
Additional circumstances — the arms right and foreigners
The notes to the law connect additional consequences with this offence. For the commission of the offence provided for by this article, a person is deprived of the right to carry a weapon for a term of up to three years. With respect to a foreigner, the expulsion of the foreigner from Georgia and a ban on entry into Georgia for a term of up to three years may be applied. Likewise, if the fine has not been paid in the manner established by the legislation, in the case provided for by the second part the fine is no longer applied and the person is subject to administrative arrest of not less than half of the maximum term of the corresponding part.
In such cases a lawyer verifies the formal correctness of the protocol, the sufficiency of the witnesses and the evidence, and whether the conduct in fact violated public order. Cases are often decided precisely by this criterion — whether the conduct was committed in a public space and whether it actually disturbed the peace of others. A correctly built position on these questions often changes the outcome.
Our team offers consultations on administrative offence cases and represents you both at the direct hearing and at the stage of appealing the decision. Contact us — we will assess your situation.
In practice, cases under this article often arise from episodes near nightlife venues, on public transport and in the streets, where the police draw up a protocol on the spot. It is precisely then that what enters the protocol and how the described fact will later be presented at the hearing are decided. A lawyer's advice at this stage — how to behave, what explanation to give and which circumstance to note — often determines the outcome of the entire case.
The question of repetition deserves separate mention: the second part applies only to a person who has already been subjected to an administrative penalty under this article. Therefore the legality of the previous decision and whether it remains in force are always specially verified — if the previous penalty has been annulled for some defect, the application of the second part becomes doubtful.
Our team is ready to assist you at both stages of an administrative penalty: preparing for the hearing and appealing the decision. Contact us — we will assess the prospects of the case and build the correct position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fine is provided for petty hooliganism?
For a first commission — from five hundred to three thousand lari, or administrative arrest for up to twenty days. For a repeated commission — from three thousand to five thousand lari, or arrest from five to sixty days.
Where must the conduct be committed?
In a public space — this is a necessary element of the norm. Similar conduct committed in a private interaction is not classified under this article.
Is the arms right subject to restriction?
Yes — for the commission of this offence a person is deprived of the right to carry a weapon for a term of up to three years.
What threatens a foreigner?
Expulsion from Georgia and a ban on entry into Georgia for a term of up to three years may be applied.
How We Help on Legal.ge
A petty-hooliganism case is a document-driven dispute from protocol to court. On Legal.ge you can consult an advocate who will assess the protocol and defend your position. Submit a request on the site and get qualified assistance.