Court Opinion

ID: 9598851
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:12:37.326623+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:01:42.948663
License: Public Domain

Blackburn, Judge,
concurring specially.
I concur in the judgment reached by the majority and with all that is said in the majority opinion with the exception of the discussion contained in Division 3 of that opinion. “[V]enue in criminal cases is a matter of jurisdictional fact, and like every other material allegation in the indictment must be proved [by the state] beyond a reasonable doubt.” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Patterson v. State, 157 Ga. App. 233, 234 (276 SE2d 900) (1981). The only evidence establishing venue in this case is that there was no evidence that the arresting officers were acting outside their jurisdiction and authority. I believe this is insufficient evidence to establish venue beyond a reasonable doubt and effectively shifts the burden of proof to *316the accused to prove a lack of venue. Although I do not agree with the majority’s opinion in this regard, I feel constrained to follow the outcome on this issue as this court has previously held such evidence sufficient to establish venue in criminal cases. See Salley v. State, 199 Ga. App. 358 (1) (405 SE2d 260) (1991); Beard v. State, 193 Ga. App. 877 (1) (389 SE2d 384) (1989).
Decided April 7, 1994
Reconsideration denied May 27, 1994.
L. Elizabeth Lane, for appellant.
Charles H. Weston, District Attorney, Thomas J. Matthews, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.