Opinion
A23A1622
06-27-2023
BLAKE EVANS v. STATE OF GEORGIA.
The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:
Blake Evans filed this direct appeal of the superior court's order denying his petition for removal from the sex offender registry under OCGA § 42-1-19. However, OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (5.2) provides that "[a]ppeals from decisions of superior courts granting or denying petitions for release pursuant to Code Section 42-1-19" must be taken by application for discretionary appeal. "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). Evans's failure to follow the discretionary appeals procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.