Court Opinion

ID: 9960226
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-15 18:04:23.97991+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:19:18.899545
License: Public Domain

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia

                                         ATLANTA,____________________
                                                  April 15, 2024

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A24A1109. ANGEL DAVIS v. L & J AUTO SALES & LEASING, LLC.

      After the magistrate court entered judgment for plaintiff Angel Davis,
defendant L & J Auto Sales & Leasing, LLC (“L & J”) appealed to the State Court of
Dougherty County. That court entered judgment in favor of L & J for $354.00, plus
costs and post-judgment interest. Davis then filed this direct appeal. We, however,
lack jurisdiction.
      Pretermitting the issue of the judgment amount, see OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (6), an
appeal from a state court order disposing of a de novo appeal from a magistrate court
decision must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary appeal. OCGA §
5-6-35 (a) (11); Strachan v. Meritor Mtg. Corp. East, 216 Ga. App. 82, 82 (453 SE2d
119) (1995). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.”
Smoak v. Dept. of Human Resources, 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996).
      Thus, Davis’ failure to file a discretionary application deprives us of jurisdiction
over this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

                                         Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
                                           Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
                                                                       04/15/2024
                                                    I certify that the above is a true extract from
                                         the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
                                                   Witness my signature and the seal of said court
                                         hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

                                                                                           , Clerk.