Supreme Court of Georgia Decisions

Nine justices serve on the Georgia Supreme Court, which expanded from seven justices in 2017. Under the Georgia Constitution, the Court has exclusive jurisdiction over appeals involving issues of constitutional law or cases contesting elections. It has general jurisdiction over appeals in cases certified for its review, as well as cases involving divorce or alimony, title to real estate, wills or equity, the death penalty, and writs of habeas corpus or certiorari. More broadly, if the Court finds that a case before a Georgia Court of Appeals involves a matter of great public importance, it may assert jurisdiction over that case.

A candidate for a seat on the Court needs only to be a resident of Georgia who has been licensed to practice law in the state for at least the last seven years. Each new justice is selected through a non-partisan election, which means that the candidates are listed on the ballot without their party affiliation. Once they are elected, a justice serves a six-year term. If a seat becomes vacant before the end of a term, the Governor of Georgia will appoint an interim replacement by using the assisted appointment method. This means that the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission compiles a list of candidates, and the Governor likely will select the interim justice from that list, although this is not technically required. The Governor appoints the 18 members of the Commission. Their list generally will consist of at least five candidates. The justices elect the Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court from among their members, and the position rotates among them.

A justice may face removal, retirement, or other forms of discipline if the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission determines that discipline is appropriate. However, the Georgia Supreme Court makes the final decision on removal or retirement. A justice also may be removed if they are impeached by the Georgia House of Representatives and convicted by the Georgia State Senate in a two-thirds vote.

Browse Opinions From the Supreme Court of Georgia
Recent Decisions From the Supreme Court of Georgia
SAUDER v. STATE  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0011

Justia Opinion Summary: Frederick Sauder was convicted of malice murder and other crimes related to the armed robbery of Wayne Alexander and his subsequent shooting death. The crimes occurred in August 2016, and Sauder was indicted in December…

Pittman v. State  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0013

Justia Opinion Summary: Randy Leon Pittman, Jr. was convicted for malice murder and arson in connection with the shooting and burning death of Natoshia Smith. Pittman challenged his convictions on several grounds. He argued that the evidence…

SCHMITT v. STATE  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0036

Justia Opinion Summary: Bryan Keith Schmitt was convicted of malice murder for the death of Hamid Jahangard, who died after being hit by Schmitt’s car. Schmitt was indicted on charges of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, and two…

Hooks v. State  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0037

Justia Opinion Summary: Kiervon Armani Hooks was convicted of felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, both charges stemming from the shooting death of Brandon Ray Foster. The incident occurred on September…

Sconyers v. State  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0139

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Charles Michael Sconyers who was convicted for malice murder and cruelty to children in the first degree, in relation to the death of 23-month-old Lincoln Davitte. The child died from blunt-force trauma…

HUBER v. STATE  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0170

Justia Opinion Summary: Andrew Thomas Huber was convicted of felony murder predicated on aggravated assault in relation to the shooting death of Daniel Raburn. Huber, along with his accomplices Thomas Wayne Harper and Brandilee Nicole…

Smith v. State  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0236

Justia Opinion Summary: Truman Harry Smith was convicted of felony murder and other charges related to the shooting death of Johnny Crawford. Smith claimed self-defense, stating that he shot Crawford due to fear for his life, and argued that he…

POWELL v. STATE  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Numbers: S24A0239, S24A0240

Justia Opinion Summary: Two former police officers, John Powell and Brian Scott, were indicted for violating their oaths of office under OCGA § 16-10-1. The indictment alleged that they failed to uphold the Constitution of the United States as…

WARD v. STATE  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0352

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves James Graham Ward who was convicted for felony murder and other crimes related to two shootings that occurred on March 24, 2021, one of which resulted in the death of Brian Belin. Ward was indicted for…

PLATT v. STATE  
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0399

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Rodrigues Platt, who was convicted for crimes related to the shooting death of David Jones, Jr. The crimes occurred on June 16, 2009, and Platt, along with two others, was indicted for malice murder,…

CITY OF ATLANTA v. 400 EDGEWOOD, LLC
Date: April 30, 2024
 Docket Number: S24C0347
STROUD v. THE STATE  
Date: April 16, 2024
 Docket Numbers: S24A0068, S24A0069

Justia Opinion Summary: Richard Stroud Jr. was convicted of felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in relation to the shooting death of Frederick Cade. Stroud and Jarvis Lamont Milton were indicted on…

MILTON v. THE STATE  
Date: April 16, 2024
 Docket Numbers: S24A0068, S24A0069

Justia Opinion Summary: Jarvis Lamont Milton and Richard Stroud, Jr. were indicted for several crimes, including murder, in relation to the shooting death of Frederick Cade. The case was tried before a jury, and Milton was found guilty on all…

HENDERSON v. THE STATE  
Date: April 16, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0092

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around Gavin Henderson, who was convicted by a DeKalb County jury for malice murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. The charges…

THOMPSON v. THE STATE  
Date: April 16, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0117

Justia Opinion Summary: Diante Thompson was convicted for malice murder and other crimes related to the stabbing death of Bobby Jermaine Ricks. Thompson, along with Demarco Draughn, Benny Hayward, and Xavier Levatte, were charged with malice…

The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

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