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
Dept. of Transportation v. Mixon  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S20G1410

Justia Opinion Summary: Cathy Mixon sued the Georgia Department of Transportation (“GDOT,” or “the State”), claiming nuisance and inverse condemnation based on alleged flooding on her property following a road-widening project. Mixon claimed GD...

Emmons v. Bryant  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A0532

Justia Opinion Summary: This appeal arose from the grant of a petition for habeas corpus filed by Steven Bryant in connection with his 2015 conviction for aggravated sexual battery. In granting Bryant’s petition, the habeas court ruled that Bry...

Collins v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Numbers: S21A0627, S21A0628, S21A0629

Justia Opinion Summary: Jalin Collins, Percy Burdine, and Brandon Love were tried together and convicted of murder and other offenses in connection with the shooting death of Milton Kelley. Although they raised different contentions on appeal,...

Overstreet v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A0712

Justia Opinion Summary: Dabrentise Overstreet was convicted by jury of malice murder and other offenses in connection with the shooting death of Craigory Burch, Jr., the aggravated assault and armed robbery of Burch’s girlfriend, Jasmine Hendri...

Parrott v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A0753

Justia Opinion Summary: Jimmy Parrott was convicted for, among other things, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in violation of OCGA 40-6-395(b)(5). After his initial probationary sentence for that offense was deemed void, he was r...

Tyson v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A0774

Justia Opinion Summary: LeMichael Tyson was convicted by jury of felony murder and cruelty to children in connection with the beating death of his girlfriend’s 22-month-old daughter, Kei’Mariona Bradley. The medical examiner concluded that Kei’...

Harris v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A0953

Justia Opinion Summary: Appellant Antonio Harris challenged his 2011 convictions for felony murder and other crimes in connection with the shooting death of Marcus Simpson and the non-fatal shootings of Kingston Ridley and Kenneth Williams. App...

Hughs v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A0970

Justia Opinion Summary: Jerome Hughs was convicted by jury of felony murder in connection with the death of Kaidence Alexander, an 18-month old child. Hughs claimed the evidence presented at his trial was insufficient to support his conviction,...

Steen v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A1002

Justia Opinion Summary: Dustin Steen was convicted of malice murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in connection with the 2015 stabbing death of Edward Newhouse in an altercation outside a bar. The trial court...

Lane v. Georgia  
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21A1029

Justia Opinion Summary: Tyra Lane was convicted by jury of felony murder and related offenses in connection with crimes he committed against Danielle Simpson and Austin Young. Lane appealed, alleging that the trial court erred by allowing Champ...

IN THE MATTER OF LEONARD T. MATHIS
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21Y1269
IN THE MATTER OF GREGORY BARTKO
Date: October 5, 2021
 Docket Number: S21Z0853
CL SNF, LLC et al. v. Fountain  
Date: September 21, 2021
 Docket Number: S20G1292

Justia Opinion Summary: Minnie Fountain, as guardian for her adult nephew, Leroy Wiggins, filed claims against Wiggins’s skilled nursing facility and its management: CL SNF, LLC d/b/a Clinch Healthcare Center (“CHC”); RWC Healthcare, LLC; PWW H...

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. v. McCall  
Date: September 21, 2021
 Docket Number: S20G1368

Justia Opinion Summary: The Georgia Supreme Court granted certiorari to reconsider one of its holdings in Allstate Insurance Co. v. Klein, 422 SE2d 863 (1992). In Klein, the Court held that Georgia courts could exercise general personal jurisdi...

Roberts v. Unison Behavioral Health  
Date: September 21, 2021
 Docket Number: S20G1518

Justia Opinion Summary: After Sally Madison Roberts was involved in a car accident with a vehicle owned by Unison Behavioral Health (a Georgia community service board), she filed suit against Unison. As required by the Georgia Tort Claims Act (...

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.