Section 38-2-571. Authority to administer oaths; limitations; effect of signature

   (a) The following officers of the organized militia shall have the power to administer oaths for the purposes of military administration, including military justice, and affidavits may be taken for such purposes before the officers:

   (1) All judge advocates of the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and State Defense Force;

   (2) All law specialists;

   (3) All summary courts-martial;

   (4) All adjutants, assistant adjutants, acting adjutants, and personnel adjutants;

   (5) All staff judge advocates and legal officers and acting or assistant staff judge advocates and legal officers; and

   (6) All other persons designated by regulations issued pursuant to this chapter.

(b) The following officers of the organized militia shall have the power to administer oaths necessary in the performance of their duties, and affidavits may be taken for such purposes before the officers:

   (1) The president, law officer, trial counsel, and assistant trial counsel for all general and special courts-martial;

   (2) The president and the counsel for the court of any court of inquiry;

   (3) All officers designated to take a deposition;

   (4) All persons detailed to conduct an investigation; and

   (5) All other persons designated by regulations issued pursuant to this chapter.

(c) Officers on the state reserve list and state retired list shall not be authorized to administer oaths as provided in this Code section unless they are on active duty in or with the organized militia under orders of the Governor as prescribed in this chapter.

(d) As used in this Code section, the term "officer" means a commissioned officer, commissioned warrant officer, or warrant officer.

(e) The signature without seal of any such person, together with the title of his office, shall be prima-facie evidence of his authority.

Ga. L. 1955, p. 10, § 61.2; Ga. L. 1985, p. 356, § 10.