When are witness fees not required to accompany a subpoena in Georgia?

In Georgia, witness fees are not required to accompany a subpoena when the hearing is within the witness's county of residence. This provision is in place to avoid imposing financial burdens on witnesses who may otherwise have to travel far to attend court proceedings. When a witness is already located in the same county as where the hearing is taking place, the expectation is that they can attend without incurring travel expenses, making witness fees unnecessary in this context.

This aligns with the principle that courts aim to facilitate the attendance of witnesses without creating unnecessary obstacles, particularly regarding local witnesses who are already available to testify. By eliminating the fee requirement in such cases, the law helps ensure that the judicial process can proceed smoothly and that local individuals can participate without added financial constraints.