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
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…

STRYKER v. THE STATE  
Date: April 16, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0125

Justia Opinion Summary: Austin Stryker was convicted for malice murder and other crimes related to the shooting and stabbing death of Hannah Bender. Stryker was a member of a small gang, and the prosecution argued that he killed Bender because…

VICTORY MEDIA GROUP, LLC v. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Date: April 16, 2024
 Docket Number: S24C0144
IN THE MATTER OF PAUL JASON YORK
Date: April 16, 2024
 Docket Number: S24Y0285
HASSAN v. THE STATE  
Date: March 19, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0026

Justia Opinion Summary: Muhammad Hassan was convicted of participation in street gang activity, murder, aggravated assault, and firearms charges in connection to a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of Amira Cameron. The shooting was…

HOWARD v. THE STATE  
Date: March 19, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0105

Justia Opinion Summary: In this case from the Supreme Court of Georgia, Marquavious Howard was appealing his felony murder conviction for the 2017 shooting death of Jacorbin King. Howard was accused of participating in a robbery at King's…

RICHARDSON v. THE STATE  
Date: March 19, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0179

Justia Opinion Summary: In January 2018, Matthew Richardson was convicted for felony murder and other crimes related to the shooting death of Julius Aderhold, III. The incident occurred in a drive-by shooting when Richardson was allegedly upset…

RICHARDSON v. THE STATE  
Date: March 19, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0179

Justia Opinion Summary: In January 2018, Matthew Richardson was involved in a drive-by shooting during which his passenger, Julius Aderhold, was shot and killed. The incident occurred in Atlanta, Georgia, and stemmed from Richardson's anger…

DURDEN v. THE STATE  
Date: March 19, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0270

Justia Opinion Summary: The case in question revolves around a defendant, Devin Durden, who was convicted of felony murder and other crimes related to the shooting death of Dewayne Chronister. Durden was indicted along with Dontavis Screws and…

EVERETT v. THE STATE  
Date: March 19, 2024
 Docket Number: S24A0396

Justia Opinion Summary: Jerome Everett was convicted of felony murder and other crimes related to the shooting death of Keith Nelson. Everett appealed his conviction, arguing that the trial court erred by giving an incorrect jury instruction on…

IN THE MATTER OF JOEL DAVID MYERS
Date: March 19, 2024
 Docket Number: S24Z0598
PUGH v. THE STATE  
Date: March 14, 2024
 Docket Number: S23A1063

Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, Andre Pugh appealed his conviction for the murder of his wife and the possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Pugh challenged the trial court's denial of his motion to suppress evidence…

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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