Michael Craig Barnes v. State

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.