Michael Craig Barnes v. State

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ May 15, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A2007. MICHAEL CRAIG BARNES v. THE STATE.

On March 20, 2026, Michael Barnes pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, for which he was sentenced to a total of 15 years, with the first 8 years to be served in confinement. Barnes filed this direct appeal from his plea and sentence. We lack jurisdiction.

Our General Assembly recently amended OCGA § 5-6-35 so that any direct appeal from a guilty plea entered on or after May 14, 2025, must “be initiated by filing an application for discretionary review.” Clark v. State, 378 Ga. App. 111, 111 n.1 (924 SE2d 346) (2025); OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(5.3). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Phaneuf v. Anthony, 375 Ga. App. 636, 638 (917 SE2d 191) (2025). Consequently, Barnes’s failure to comply with the discretionary appeals procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED. See Hester v. State, 378 Ga. App. 121 (924 SE2d 457) (2025).

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 05/15/2026

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.