In the Interest of P. J. F., a Child v. State

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ February 12, 2020

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A20A1235. IN THE INTEREST OF P. J. F., A CHILD v. THE STATE.

The Floyd County Juvenile Court adjudicated P. J. F. delinquent but continued the matter and transferred it to the Bibb County Juvenile Court for final disposition, as that county was P. J. F.’s place of residence. P. J. F. filed this direct appeal from the adjudication. We, however, lack jurisdiction. OCGA § 15-11-35 authorizes direct appeals from “final judgments of the juvenile court[.]” An adjudication order alone, however, is not a final judgment that is directly appealable. See In the Interest of G. C. S., 186 Ga. App. 291, 292 (367 SE2d 103) (1988). Because this case remains pending before the juvenile court, P. J. F. was required to use the interlocutory appeal procedures, including obtaining a certificate of immediate review from the trial court, to appeal the adjudication of delinquency. Id.; see also OCGA § 5-6-34 (b). His failure to do so deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal. See In the Interest of G. C. S., supra. Accordingly, this appeal is hereby DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 02/12/2020 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.