25 LC 48 1509S
House Bill 176 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Smith of the 18
th
, Gunter of the 8
th
, Evans of the 57
th
, and Miller of the
62
nd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to appeal and error, so
1
as to change a provision relating to judgments deemed directly appealable; to change2
provisions relating to cases requiring application of appeal; to provide for a definition; to3
provide for an out-of-time remedy for certain types of postjudgment relief in criminal cases;4
to provide for procedure and time frames; to change provisions relating to amendments on5
motions for new trial; to amend Code Section 17-7-93 of the Official Code of Georgia6
Annotated, relating to reading of indictment or accusation, answer of accused to charge,7
recordation of "guilty" plea and pronouncement of judgment, withdrawn guilty pleas, and8
pleas by immigrants, so as to provide for a time frame regarding the withdrawal of a guilty9
plea; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting10
laws; and for other purposes.11
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:12
H. B. 176 (SUB)
- 1 - 25 LC 48 1509S
PART I
13
SECTION 1-1.14
Title 5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to appeal and error, is amended15
by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Code Section 5-6-34, relating to judgments and16
rulings deemed directly appealable, as follows:17
"(1)(A) As used in this paragraph, the term 'final judgment' shall include an order in a
18
criminal proceeding with a multiple-count indictment or accusation which results in an19
adjudication of fewer than all of the counts in such indictment or accusation, the20
remainder of which are ordered dead docketed.21
(B) All final judgments, that is to say, where the case is no longer pending in the court22
below, except as provided in Code Section 5-6-35;"23
SECTION 1-2.24
Said title is further amended by adding a new paragraph to subsection (a) of Code Section25
5-6-35, relating to cases requiring application for appeal, to read as follows:26
"(5.3) Direct appeals from guilty pleas;"27
SECTION 1-3.28
Said title is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:29
"5-6-39.1.30
(a)(1) Notwithstanding the availability of habeas corpus relief under Article 2 of Chapter31
14 of Title 9; the time limitations set forth in Code Section 5-5-40; or the time limitations32
related to a notice of appeal as set forth in this article, a defendant may move for leave33
to file an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal within 100 days from the34
expiration of the time period for the filing of such motion or notice:35
(A) With the consent of the state;36
H. B. 176 (SUB)
- 2 - 25 LC 48 1509S
(B) By showing excusable neglect;37
(C) By showing that the failure to timely file such motion for new trial or notice of38
appeal was attributable to the deficient performance of such defendant's counsel; or39
(D) For other good cause shown.40
(2) The trial court judge shall have jurisdiction to consider such motion for leave to file41
an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal. If the judge grants such motion,42
the defendant shall have 30 days to file an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of43
appeal and the judge shall have the discretion to allow an extension of time for filing such44
motion or notice as set forth in Code Section 5-6-39.45
(3) An indigent defendant shall have the right to the assistance of counsel to seek any46
relief offered under this Code section.47
(b) In a criminal case, after a judgment of conviction, a defendant whose motion seeking48
an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal or whose granted out-of-time49
motion for new trial or notice of appeal was dismissed based upon the Supreme Court's50
decision in Cook v. State, 313 Ga. 471 (2022), and its progeny, shall have the right to move51
for leave to file an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal until June 30, 2026,52
pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Any filing made pursuant to this subsection53
shall not be subject to the 100-day time limitation in subsection (a) of this Code section."54
PART II 55
SECTION 2-1.56
Said title is further amended by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 5-5-40, relating to57
time for motion for new trial generally, as follows:58
"(b) The motion may be amended any time on or before the ruling thereon; provided,59
however, that in criminal proceedings when the defendant substantially amends his or her60
H. B. 176 (SUB)
- 3 - 25 LC 48 1509S
motion for new trial, the state shall be given ten days to respond and present evidence, or,61
in the discretion of the court, a longer period of time."62
PART III 63
SECTION 3-1.64
Code Section 17-7-93 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reading of65
indictment or accusation, answer of accused to charge, recordation of "guilty" plea and66
pronouncement of judgment, withdrawn guilty pleas, and pleas by immigrants, is amended67
by adding a new subsection to read as follows:68
"(d) After the entry of a guilty plea which results in a conviction, a person may file a69
motion to withdraw such plea within 30 days of the entry of such judgment or within the70
term of court in which such plea was entered, whichever is later; provided, however, that71
such motion to withdraw shall toll the applicable statute of limitations and statutory72
demand for speedy trial from the date of the plea until the resolution of the motion to73
withdraw."74
PART IV75
SECTION 4-1.76
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law77
without such approval.78
SECTION 4-2.79
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.80
H. B. 176 (SUB)
- 4 -