Court Opinion

ID: 4379264
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-03-21 07:04:42.766979+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:46.459793
License: Public Domain

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia

                                         ATLANTA,____________________
                                                  March 01, 2019

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A19A1443. JASON SMITH v. THE STATE.

      Jason Smith entered a negotiated plea to two counts of sexual battery.1 On
March 19, 2013, the trial court sentenced him to a total term of ten years with the first
four years to serve in confinement and the remainder on probation. There is no
indication in the record that Smith filed a direct appeal. On September 22, 2014,
Smith filed a “Motion for Modification,” arguing that his time in confinement should
be reduced from four years to two years based on family support and his conduct
while in prison, including completing a sex offender educational program and
participating in bible studies. On October 24, 2014, the trial court dismissed the
motion, and Smith then filed this timely direct appeal. We, however, lack jurisdiction.
      Under OCGA § 17-10-1 (f), a sentencing court has the authority to modify a
sentence within one year of the date upon which the sentence is imposed, or within
120 days after receipt of the remittitur upon affirmance of the judgment after direct
appeal, whichever is later. When this statutory period expires, as the case here, a
sentencing court may only modify a sentence that is void. See Jones v. State, 278 Ga.
669, 670 (604 SE2d 483) (2004). A direct appeal may lie from an order denying a
motion to vacate a void sentence where the defendant raises a colorable claim that the
sentence is, in fact, void. See Frazier v. State, 302 Ga. App. 346, 348 (691 SE2d 247)
(2010); Burg v. State, 297 Ga. App. 118, 119 (676 SE2d 465) (2009). “Motions to
vacate a void sentence generally are limited to claims that – even assuming the

      1
       Smith pleaded guilty to one of the counts of sexual battery as a lesser included
offense to enticing a minor for indecent purposes.
existence and validity of the conviction for which the sentence was imposed – the law
does not authorize that sentence, most typically because it exceeds the most severe
punishment for which the applicable penal statute provides.” von Thomas v. State,
293 Ga. 569, 572 (2) (748 SE2d 446) (2013). When a sentence is within the statutory
range of punishment, it is not void. Jones, 278 Ga. at 670.
      Here, Smith does not assert that his sentence was void. Although Smith
contends that he is entitled to a shorter period in confinement, this does not constitute
a valid void sentence claim. See id. Accordingly, we lack jurisdiction to consider this
appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

                                         Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
                                                Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
                                                                          03/01/2019
                                                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.