Jeff Solo v. Zhongju Chang

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia
ATLANTA,____________________
October 05, 2018
The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:
A19D0095. JEFF SOLO et al. v. ZHONGJU CHANG et al.
This dispossessory proceeding originated in magistrate court. The magistrate
court issued a writ of possession, and Jeff Solo filed this application for discretionary
review. We, however, lack jurisdiction.
As a general rule, “[t]he only avenue of appeal available from [a] magistrate
court judgment is provided by OCGA § 15-10-41 (b) (1), which allows for a de novo
appeal to the state or superior court.” Handler v. Hulsey, 199 Ga. App. 751, 751 (406
SE2d 225) (1991). If the party is then aggrieved by the decision of the state or
superior court, an application for discretionary appeal may be filed in this Court. See
OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (1), (11). However, this Court may only address magistrate court
matters that already have been reviewed by the state or superior court. See Handler,
199 Ga. App. at 751; Westwind Corp. v. Washington Fed. S & L Assn., 195 Ga. App.
411, 411 (1) (393 SE2d 479) (1990). Thus, absent a state or superior court decision,
we lack jurisdiction over this application for discretionary review, which is hereby
DISMISSED.
Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
10/05/2018
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.