Opinion
A01A0523.
DECIDED: APRIL 12, 2001.
Traffic violation. Fulton Traffic Court. Before Judge Ricks.
David J. Reed, for Appellant.
Joseph J. Drolet, Solicitor, Katherine Diamandis, Assistant Solicitor, for Appellee.
Robert Pogany was charged with four traffic violations: (1) HOV violation, (2) attempting to flee and elude, (3) reckless driving, and (4) improper backing. After a bench trial in the City Court of Atlanta, he was found guilty of all charges, fined, and had his driver's license suspended.
In nine enumerations of error, Pogany contends the City Court of Atlanta lacks constitutional existence and jurisdiction under our state constitution. However, a review of the record in this case reveals that Pogany failed to raise these constitutional issues in the trial court. The Georgia Supreme Court has consistently held that a constitutional challenge must be made as soon as possible and certainly before the return of the guilty verdict. Because Pogany gambled on an acquittal and waited to challenge the constitutional existence and jurisdiction of the City Court of Atlanta until after he was convicted by that court, he is barred from raising the issues on appeal.
See Hardeman v. State, 272 Ga. 361, 362 ( 529 S.E.2d 368) (2000).
Id.
Moreover, The Georgia Supreme Court recently ruled on the very issues raised by Pogany. In Wickham v. State, the Supreme Court held that the City Court of Atlanta does not lack constitutional existence and that, therefore, its exercise of jurisdiction does not run afoul of state or federal due process. Thus, even if he had not waived his constitutional challenges, Pogany's enumerations of error would lack merit.
273 Ga. 563 ( 544 S.E.2d 439) (2001).
Judgment affirmed. Ruffin and Ellington, JJ., concur.