Opinion
24A0541
11-08-2023
LISAIDA MEJIA v. FRANTZ LIMAGE
The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:
Frantz Limage obtained a l2-month family violence protective order against Lisaida Mejia, who then filed this direct appeal. We, however, lack jurisdiction.
Appeals of orders in domestic relations cases - including actions arising under the Family Violence Act - must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary review. See OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (2), (b); Schmidt v. Schmidt, 270 Ga. 461, 461-462 (1) (510 S.E.2d 810) (1999), disapproved in part on other grounds by Gilliam v. State, 312 Ga. 60, 64 (860 S.E.2d 543) (2021). "Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional." Smoak v. Dept. of Human Resources, 221 Ga.App. 257, 257 (471 S.E.2d 60) (1996). Mejia's failure to follow the required appellate procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.