GEORGIA CONSTITUTION OF 1976
(text as ratified by Georgia voters on November 2, 1976)

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI.

JUDICIARY

SECTION I.

COURTS ENUMERATED

Paragraph I. Courts Enumerated. The judicial powers of this State shall be vested in a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals, Superior Courts, Probate Courts, Justices of the Peace, Notaries Public who are ex-officio Justices of the Peace, and such other Courts as have been or may be established by law.

Paragraph II. Unified Judicial System. For the purposes of administration, all of the courts of the State shall be a part of one unified judicial system. The administration of the unified judicial system shall be as provided by law. As used herein, administration does not include abolition or creation of courts, selection of judges, or jurisdictional provisions other than as otherwise authorized in this Constitution. The administration provided herein shall only be performed by the unified judicial system itself and shall not be administered to or controlled by any other department of Government.

SECTION II.

SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS

Paragraph I. Supreme Court Justices; Quorum. The Supreme Court shall consist of seven associate justices, who shall from time to time as they may deem proper, elect one of their members as Chief Justice and one as Presiding Justice. The Chief Justice so elected by the other Justices shall be the chief presiding and administrative officer of the court, and the Presiding Justice, elected in like manner, shall perform all the duties devolving upon the Chief Justice, when he is absent or disqualified. A majority of the court shall constitute a quorum.

Paragraph II. Court to Designate Judges to Preside, When. When one or more of the Justices of the Supreme Court are disqualified from deciding any case by interest or otherwise, the qualified Justices shall designate a judge or judges of the Superior Court to preside in said case, provided, that if all the justices are disqualified, they or a majority of them shall, despite their disqualification, select seven judges of the Superior Courts to preside in the case, but they shall make such selections by lot and in open court from not less than twelve names of such Superior Court judges.

Paragraph III. Terms of Office. The Justices aforesaid shall hold their offices for six years, and until their successors are qualified. They shall be elected by the people at the same time and in the same manner as members of the General Assembly. In case of any vacancy which causes an unexpired term, the same shall be filled by executive appointment, and the person appointed by the Governor shall hold his office until the next regular election, and until his successor for the balance of the unexpired term shall have been elected and qualified. The returns of such elections shall be made to the Secretary of State, who shall certify the result to the Governor, and commission shall issue accordingly.

Paragraph IV. Jurisdiction of Supreme Court. The Supreme Court shall have no original jurisdiction but shall be a court alone for the trial and correction of errors of law from the superior courts and the city courts of Atlanta and Savannah, as existed on August 16, 1916, and such other like courts as have been or may hereafter be established in other cities, in all cases that involve the construction of the Constitution of the State of Georgia or of the United States, or of treaties between the United States and foreign governments; in all cases in which the constitutionality of any law of the State of Georgia or of the United States is drawn in question; and, until otherwise provided by law, in all cases respecting title to land; in all equity cases; in all cases which involve the validity of, or the construction of wills; in all cases of conviction of a capital felony; in all habeas corpus cases; in all cases involving extraordinary remedies; in all divorce and alimony cases, and in all cases certified to it by the Court of Appeals for its determination. It shall also be competent for the Supreme Court to require by certiorari or otherwise any case to be certified to the Supreme Court from the Court of Appeals for review and determination with the same power and authority as if the case had been carried by writ of error to the Supreme Court. Any case carried to the Supreme Court or to the Court of Appeals, which belongs to the class of which the other court has jurisdiction, shall, until otherwise provided by law, be transferred to the other court under such rules as the Supreme Court may prescribe, and the cases so transferred shall be heard and determined by the court which has jurisdiction thereof. The General Assembly may provide for carrying cases or certain classes of cases to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals from the trial courts otherwise than by writ of error, and may prescribe conditions as to the right of a party litigant to have his case reviewed by the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court shall also have jurisdiction of and shall decide cases transferred to it by the Court of Appeals because of an equal division between the judges of that Court when sitting as a body for the determination of cases.

Paragraph V. Cases. How Disposed Of. The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals shall dispose of every case at the term for which it is entered on the court's docket for hearing, as provided by Paragraph VIII of this Article and Section, or at the next term. If the plaintiff in error shall not be prepared to prosecute the case at the term for which it is so entered for hearing, unless prevented by providential cause, it shall be stricken from the docket and the judgment below shall stand affirmed. No writ of error shall be dismissed because of delay in transmission of the bill of exceptions and the copy of the record, or either of them, resulting from the default of the clerk or other cause, unless it shall appear that the plaintiff in error or his counsel caused such delay. Nothing herein shall be construed to excuse the clerk for any omission of duty or to relieve him of any liability resulting therefrom.

Paragraph VI. Judgments May Be Withheld. In any case the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals may in its discretion withhold its judgment until the next term after the same is argued.

Paragraph VII. The Supreme Court; How Cases to Be Heard and Determined. The Supreme Court shall have power to hear and determine cases when sitting in a body, under such regulations as may be prescribed by it.

Paragraph VIII. Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals shall consist of not less than three Judges, and of such additional Judges as the General Assembly shall from time to time prescribe. The terms of the Judges of the Court of Appeals shall be for six years and until their successors are qualified. The times and manner of electing Judges, and the mode of filling a vacancy which causes an unexpired term, shall be the same as are or may be provided for by the laws relating to the election and appointment of Justices of the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals shall have jurisdiction for the trial and correction of errors of law from the superior courts and from the City Courts of Atlanta and Savannah, as they existed on August 19, 1916, and such other like courts as have been or may hereafter be established in other cities, in all cases in which such jurisdiction has not been conferred by this Constitution upon the Supreme Court, and in such other cases as may now or hereafter be prescribed by law; except that where a case is pending in the Court of Appeals and the Court of Appeals desires instruction from the Supreme Court, it may certify the same to the Supreme Court, and thereupon a transcript of the record shall be transmitted to the Supreme Court, which, after having afforded to the parties an opportunity to be heard thereon, shall instruct the Court of Appeals on the question so certified, and the Court of Appeals shall be bound by the instruction so given. But if by reason of equal division of opinion among the Justices of the Supreme Court no such instruction is given, the Court of Appeals may decide the question. The manner of certifying questions to the Supreme Court by the Court of Appeals, and the subsequent proceedings in regard to the same in the Supreme Court, shall be as the Supreme Court shall by its rules prescribe, until otherwise provided by law. No affirmance of the judgment of the court below in cases pending in the Court of Appeals shall result from delay in disposing of questions or cases certified from the Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court, or as to which such certificate has been required by the Supreme Court as hereinbefore provided. All writs of error in the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals, when received by its clerk during a term of the Court and before the docket of the term is by order of the Court closed, shall be entered thereon, and when received at any other time, shall be entered on the docket of the next term; and they shall stand for hearing at the term for which they are so entered, under such rules as the Court has or may hereafter prescribe, until otherwise provided by law. The Court of Appeals shall appoint a clerk and a sheriff of the court. The reporter of the Supreme Court shall be reporter of the Court of Appeals until otherwise provided by law. The laws relating to the Supreme Court as to qualifications and salaries of Judges, the designation of other Judges to preside when members of the Court are disqualified, the powers, duties, salaries, fees and terms of officers, the mode of carrying cases to the Court, the powers, practice, procedure, times of sitting, and costs of the Court, the publication of reports of cases decided therein, and in all other respects, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution or by the laws as to the Court of Appeals on the effective date of this Constitution, and until otherwise provided by law, shall apply to the Court of Appeals so far as they can be made to apply. The decisions of the Supreme Court shall bind the Court of Appeals as precedents. The Court of Appeals shall have power to hear and determine cases when sitting in a body, except as may be otherwise provided by the General Assembly.

In the event of an equal division of judges on any case when the Court is sitting as a body, the case shall be immediately transferred to the Supreme Court.

Paragraph IX. Appeals from the Juvenile Court. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals shall have jurisdiction to review by direct writ of error, and without the necessity of a motion for new trial having been made, all final judgments, orders, decrees and adjudications rendered by any juvenile court, and, it shall further be the duty of the District Attorney of the judicial circuit within which the juvenile court or courts are located to represent the juvenile court on such appeals. The time for filing such bill of exceptions, and the procedure governing same, shall be as now provided by law for appeals, or as may hereafter be provided by law, but in any case, the Juvenile Judge may by order grant extensions of time for the filing of such bill of exceptions so as to afford opportunity for preparation of a brief or transcript of evidence, in cases where such is required.

SECTION III.

SUPERIOR COURTS

Paragraph I. Terms, Etc., of Superior Court Judges. There shall be not less than one judge of the Superior Courts for each judicial circuit, whose term of office shall be for four years, and until his successor is qualified. He may act in other circuits when authorized by law. The legislature shall have authority to add one or more additional judges of the superior court for any judicial circuit in this State, and shall have authority to regulate the manner in which the judges of such circuits shall dispose of the business thereof, and shall fix the time at which the term or terms of office of such additional judge or judges shall begin, and the manner of his appointment or election, and shall have authority from time to time to add to the number of such judges in any judicial circuit; or to reduce the number of judges in any judicial circuit.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section providing for a term of four years for judges of the superior courts and notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the term of office of each of the Judges of the Superior Court of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit shall be for eight years and until his successor is qualified.

Paragraph II. Elections, When to Be Held. The successors to the present and subsequent incumbents shall be elected by the electors of the circuit wherein the superior court judge is to serve, who are entitled to vote for members of the General Assembly, at the general election held for such members, next preceding the expiration of their respective terms.

Paragraph III. Terms Begin, When. The terms of the judges to be elected under the Constitution, except to fill vacancies, shall begin on the first day of January after their elections. Every vacancy occasioned by death, resignation, or other causes shall be filled by appointments of the Governor until the first day of January after the general election held next after the expiration of thirty days from the time such vacancy occurs, at which election a successor for the unexpired term shall be elected.

SECTION IV.

JURISDICTION

Paragraph I. Exclusive Jurisdiction Except in Juvenile Cases. The Superior Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction in cases of divorce; in criminal cases where the offender is subjected to loss of life or confinement in the penitentiary, except in the case of juvenile offenders as provided by law; in cases respecting titles to land; and equity cases.

Paragraph II. Equity May Be Merged in Common Law Courts. The General Assembly may confer upon the courts of common law all the powers heretofore exercised by courts of equity in this State.

Paragraph III. General Jurisdiction. Said Courts shall have jurisdiction in all civil cases, except as hereinafter provided.

Paragraph IV. Appellate Jurisdiction. They shall have appellate jurisdiction in all cases as may be provided by law.

Paragraph V. Certiorari, Mandamus, Etc. They shall have power to correct errors in inferior judicatories by writ of certiorari, which shall only issue on the sanction of the Judge, and said Courts, and the judges thereof shall have power to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, scire facias, and all other writs that may be necessary for carrying their powers fully into effect, and shall have such other powers as are, or may be conferred on them by law.

Paragraph VI. New Trials. The Superior, State and City Courts may grant new trials on legal grounds.

Paragraph VII. Judgment of the Court. The Court shall render judgment without the verdict of a jury in all civil cases, except actions ex delicto, where no issuable defense is filed except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, and subject to the right of trial by a jury on written demand of either party.

Paragraph VIII. Sessions. The Superior courts shall sit in each county not less than twice in each year, at such times as have been, or may be appointed by law. The judges of said courts may, on reasonable notice to the parties, at any time, in vacation, at chambers, hear and determine, by interlocutory or final judgment, any matter or issue, where a jury verdict is not required, or may be waived.

Paragraph IX. Presiding Judge Disqualified. The General Assembly may provide by law for the appointment of some proper person to preside in cases where the presiding judge is from any cause disqualified.

Paragraph X. Judges of Superior, State and City Courts May Alternate, When. In any county within which there is, or hereafter may be, a City Court or a State Court the Judge of such a Court, and the Judge of the Superior Court may preside in the Courts of each other in cases where the judge of either Court is disqualified to preside.

SECTION V.

STATE COURT OF CLAIMS

Paragraph I. State Court of Claims; Jurisdiction; Appeals. The General Assembly is hereby authorized to create and establish a State Court of Claims with jurisdiction to try and dispose of cases involving claims for injury or damage, except the taking of private property for public purposes, against the State of Georgia, its agencies or political subdivisions, as the General Assembly may provide by law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the General Assembly may provide for exclusive jurisdiction over such cases in the State Court of Claims, provide for trial of such cases without a jury, and prescribe the place and manner in which such cases may be brought and tried. The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals shall have original jurisdiction to try and correct errors of law from such State Court of Claims according to the method of appeal to said courts now provided for or as may hereafter be provided by law. Nothing contained herein shall constitute a waiver of the immunity of the State from suit, but such sovereign immunity is expressly reserved except to the extent of any waiver of immunity provided in this Constitution and such waiver or qualification of immunity as is now or may hereafter be provided by act of the General Assembly.

SECTION VI.

PROBATE COURT

Paragraph I. Probate Court; Judge of Probate Court; Appeals. The powers of a court of probate shall be vested in the Probate Court and the Judge of the Probate Court for each county, from whose decisions there may be an appeal, or by consent of the parties, without a decision, to the Superior Court under regulations prescribed by law.

Paragraph II. Powers. (a) The Probate Courts shall have such powers in relation to roads, bridges, ferries, public buildings, paupers, county officers, county funds, county taxes and other county matters as may be conferred on them by law.

(b) The Probate Courts shall have jurisdiction to issue warrants, try cases, and impose sentences thereon in all misdemeanor cases arising under the traffic laws of the State, and in all cases arising under the Compulsory School Attendance Law in all counties of this State in which there is no State court, provided the defendant waives a jury trial. Like jurisdiction is also conferred upon the judges of the police courts of incorporated cities and municipal court judges for offenses arising under the traffic laws of the State within their respective jurisdictions.

Paragraph III. Term of Office. The Judge of the Probate Court shall hold his office for a term of four years and until his successor is elected and qualified.

Paragraph IV. Construction. Wherever the words "Ordinary", or "Ordinaries" or the words "Court of Ordinary" or "Courts of Ordinary" appear in any statutes of this State, and such words refer to the county officer heretofore known and designated as the Ordinary or the court heretofore known and designated as the Court of Ordinary, such words are hereby stricken and the words "Judge of the Probate Court" or "Judges of the Probate Courts" or the words "Probate Court" or "Probate Courts," respectively, are hereby inserted in lieu of such stricken words. The changing of the names of the Ordinary and the Court of Ordinary to Judge of the Probate Court and Probate Court, respectively, shall not affect the status of any matter pending before any such officer or any such court on January 1,1975, and any such matter may be continued or disposed of by the Judge of the Probate Court or by the Probate Court, as the case may be.

SECTION VII.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Paragraph I. Number and Term of office. Unless it has been otherwise provided by the General Assembly, there shall be in each militia district one justice of the peace, whose official term, except when elected to fill an unexpired term, shall be for four years: Provided, however, that the General Assembly may, in its discretion, abolish justice courts and the office of justice of the peace and of notary public ex-officio justice of the peace in any city of this State having a population of over twenty thousand, and establish in lieu thereof such court or courts or system of courts as the General Assembly may, in its discretion, deem necessary, conferring upon such new court or courts or system of courts, when so established, the jurisdiction as to subject matter now exercised by justice courts and by justices of the peace and notaries public ex-officio justices of the peace together with such additional jurisdiction, either as to amount or subject matter, as may be provided by law, whereof some other court has not exclusive jurisdiction under this Constitution; together with such provision as to rules and procedure in such courts, and as to new trials and the correction of errors in and by said courts, and with such further provision for the correction of errors by the Superior Court, or Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court, as the General Assembly may, from time to time, in its discretion, provide or authorize. Any court so established shall not be subject to the rules of uniformity laid down in Paragraph I of Section IX of Article VI of the Constitution of Georgia: Provided, however, that the General Assembly may, in its discretion, abolish justice courts and the office of justice of the peace and notary public ex-officio justice of the peace in any county in this State having within its borders a city having a population of over twenty thousand, and as well in the County of Glynn, and establish in lieu thereof such court or courts or system of courts as the General Assembly may, in its discretion, deem necessary; or conferring upon existing courts, by extension of their jurisdiction as to subject matter now exercised by justice courts and by justices of the peace and notaries public ex-officio justices of the peace; together with such additional jurisdiction, either as to amount or to subject matter, as may be provided by law, whereof some other court has not exclusive jurisdiction under this Constitution; together also with such provisions as to rules and procedure in such courts and as to new trials and the correction of errors in and by said courts, and with such further provision for the correction of errors by the Superior Court or the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court as the General Assembly may, from time to time, in its discretion, provide or authorize. The civil court of Fulton County shall have jurisdiction in Fulton County and outside the city limits of Atlanta either concurrently with, or supplemental to, or in lieu of justice courts, as may be now or hereafter provided by law. Any court so established shall not be subject to the rules of uniformity laid down in Paragraph I of Section IX of Article VI of the Constitution of Georgia.

Paragraph II. Jurisdiction. Justices of the peace shall have jurisdiction in all civil cases arising ex contractu and in cases of injury or damage to and conversion of personal property, when the principal sum does not exceed two hundred dollars, and shall sit monthly at fixed times and places but in all cases there may be an appeal to a jury in said court, or an appeal to the Superior Court under such regulations as may be prescribed by law.

Paragraph III. Elections and Commissions. Justices of the peace shall be elected by the legal voters in their respective districts, and shall be commissioned by the Governor. They shall be removable on conviction for malpractice in office.

SECTION VIII.

NOTARIES PUBLIC

Paragraph I. Appointment; Number; Term; Removal. Commissioned notaries public, not to exceed one for each militia district, may be appointed by the judges of the superior courts in their respective circuits, upon recommendation of the grand juries of the several counties. They shall be commissioned by the Governor for the term of four years and shall be ex-officio justices of the peace, and shall be removable on conviction for malpractice in office.

SECTION IX.

UNIFORMITY OF COURTS

Paragraph I. Uniformity Provided For. Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the jurisdiction, powers, proceedings and practice of all courts or officers invested with judicial powers (except State Courts and City Courts) of the same grade or class, so far as regulated by law, and the force and effect of the process, judgment and decree, by such courts, severally, shall be uniform. This uniformity must be established by the General Assembly, and in case of State Courts and City Courts, may be established by the General Assembly.

SECTION X.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Paragraph I. Election; term of office. There shall be an Attorney General of this State, who shall be elected by the people at the same time, for the same term and in the same manner as the Governor.

Paragraph II. Duties. It shall be the duty of the Attorney General to act as the legal advisor of the Executive Department, to represent the State in the Supreme Court in all capital felonies; and in all civil and criminal cases in any court when required by the Governor and to perform such other services as shall be required of him by law.

SECTION XI.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

Paragraph I. Number; term of office; vacancies. There shall be a district attorney for each judicial circuit, whose official term (except to fill a vacancy) shall be four years. The successors of present and subsequent incumbents shall be elected by the electors of the circuit wherein the district attorney is to serve, who are qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly, at the general election held next preceding the expiration of their respective terms. Every vacancy occasioned by death, resignation, or other cause shall be filled by appointment of the Governor, until the first day of January after the general election held next after the expiration of 30 days from the time such vacancy occurs, at which election a successor for the unexpired term shall be elected.

Paragraph II. Duties. It shall be the duty of the district attorney to represent the State in all cases in the superior court of his circuit and in all cases taken up from the superior courts of his circuit to the Supreme Court, and Court of Appeals and to perform such other services as shall be required of him by law.

Paragraph III. Construction. Wherever the words "solicitor general" were used heretofore in any statute, when such words were used to refer to the office of the district attorney provided for in this Section, they shall be held and taken to mean the district attorney.

SECTION XII.

SALARIES OR JUSTICES, JUDGES, AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

Paragraph I. Compensation and Allowances of Justices, Judges and District Attorneys. The Justices of the Supreme Court, the Judges of the Court of Appeals, the Judges of the Superior Courts, and the District Attorneys shall receive such compensation and allowances as provided by law. The General Assembly may authorize any county to supplement the compensation and allowances of a judge of the Superior Court and District Attorney of the Judicial Circuit in which such county lies out of county funds: Provided, however, where such compensation and allowances are, on the effective date of this Constitution, being supplemented out of county funds under existing laws, such laws shall remain in force until altered by the General Assembly; Provided, further, that the Board of County Commissioners of Richmond County, or the Judge of the Probate Court, or such other board or person as may from time to time have charge of the fiscal affairs of said county, shall without further legislative action continue to supplement from said County's treasury the compensation and allowances of the Judge of Superior Court of the circuit of which the said County of Richmond is a part, by the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000) Dollars per annum, which shall be in addition to the amount received by said judge out of the State treasury; and such payments are declared to be a part of the court expenses of said County, and such payment shall be made to the judge now in office during his present or subsequent terms, as well as to his successors, with the authority in the General Assembly to increase such compensation and allowances from the County treasury as above provided.

Paragraph II. Power to Abolish or Reinstate Fees of District Attorney. The General Assembly shall have power, at any time, by law, to abolish the fees accruing to the office of district attorney in any particular judicial circuit, and in lieu thereof to prescribe compensation and allowances for such office, without regard to the uniformity of such compensation or allowances in the various circuits; and shall have the further power to determine what disposition shall be made of the fines, forfeitures and fees accruing to the office of district attorney in any such judicial circuit where the fees are abolished; and likewise shall have the further power, if it so desires, to abolish such compensation and allowances and reestablish such fees; but in either event, when so changed, the change shall not become effective until the end of the term to which the district attorney was elected.

SECTION XIII.

QUALIFICATIONS OF JUSTICES, JUDGES, ETC.

Paragraph I. Age; Citizenship; Practice of Law. No person shall be a Justice of the Supreme Court, a Judge of the Court of Appeals, or a Judge of Superior Courts, unless, at the time of his election, he shall have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been a citizen of the State three years, and have practiced law for seven years. No person shall be Attorney General unless at the time of his election he shall have attained the age of twenty-five years, and shall have been a citizen of the State for six years next preceding his election, and have practiced law for seven years. No person shall be a district attorney, unless at the time of his election he shall have attained twenty-five years of age, shall have been a citizen of the State for three years, and shall have practiced law for three years next preceding his election.

Paragraph II. Emeritus Justices and Judges; Preside. Chief Justices Emeritus and Justices Emeritus of the Supreme Court; Judges Emeritus of the Court of Appeals; and Judges Emeritus of the Superior Courts shall be eligible to preside in or over the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Superior Courts of this State. The General Assembly shall prescribe the method or manner in which they may be called upon for temporary service.

Paragraph III. Discipline, Removal, and Involuntary Retirement. (a) Judicial Qualifications Commission. There shall be a Judicial Qualifications Commission. It shall consist of seven members, as follows: (i) two judges of any court of record, each selected by the Supreme Court; (ii) three members of the State Bar, who shall have practiced law in this State for at least ten years and who shall be elected by the Board of Governors of the State Bar; and (iii) two citizens, neither of whom shall be a member of the State Bar, who shall be appointed by the Governor. The members in office on the effective date of this Constitution shall serve out the remainder of their respective terms and until their successors are elected or appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, all members shall serve for terms of four years each and until their successors are elected or appointed and have qualified. Whenever any member ceases to hold the office or to possess the qualifications which entitled him to be appointed a member, his membership shall terminate, and the appointing authority shall select his successor for the unexpired term. No member of the Commission shall receive any compensation for his services but shall be allowed his necessary expenses for travel, board and lodging incurred in the performance of his duties. No member of the Commission except the Judges shall hold any other public office or be eligible for appointment to a State judicial office so long as he is a member of the Commission. No member shall hold office in any political party or organization. No act of the Commission shall be valid unless concurred in by a majority of its members. The Commission shall select one of its members to serve as chairman.

(b) Procedure and Grounds. A justice or judge of any court of this State, in accordance with the procedure prescribed in this Paragraph, may be removed or otherwise disciplined for willful misconduct in office or willful and persistent failure to perform his duties, or habitual intemperance; or for conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute; or he may be retired for disability seriously interfering with the performance of his duties, which is, or is likely to become, of a permanent character. The Commission may, after such investigation as it deems necessary, order a hearing to be held before it concerning the removal or retirement of a justice or a judge, or the Commission may in its discretion request the Supreme Court to appoint a special master to hear and take evidence in the matter and to report thereon to the Commission. If, after hearing, or after considering the record and report of the master, the Commission finds good cause therefor, it shall recommend to the Supreme Court the removal, other discipline, or retirement, as the case may be, of the justice or judge.

The Supreme Court shall review the record of the proceedings on the law and facts, and in its discretion may permit the introduction of additional evidence and shall order removal, other discipline, or retirement, as it finds just and proper, or wholly reject the recommendation. Upon an order for retirement, the justice or judge shall thereby be retired with the same rights and privileges as if he retired pursuant to statute. Upon an order for removal, the justice or judge shall thereby be removed from office, and his compensation and allowances shall cease from the date of the order.

The Supreme Court shall prescribe rules governing privilege, confidentiality, and practice and procedure in all proceedings brought hereunder. A justice or judge who is a member of the Commission or Supreme Court shall not participate in any proceedings involving his own removal, other discipline or retirement.

SECTION XIV.

VENUE

Paragraph I. Divorce Case. Divorce cases shall be brought in the county where the defendant resides, if a resident of this State; if the defendant be not a resident of this State, then in the county in which the plaintiff resides, provided, that any person who has been a resident of any United States Army Post or military reservation within the State of Georgia for one year next preceding the filing of the petition may bring an action for divorce in any county adjacent to said United States Army Post or military reservation.

Paragraph II. Land Titles. Cases respecting titles to land shall be tried in the county where the land lies, except where a single tract is divided by a county line, in which case the Superior Court of either county shall have jurisdiction.

Paragraph III. Equity Cases. Equity cases shall be tried in the county where a defendant resides against whom substantial relief is prayed.

Paragraph IV. Suits Against Joint Obligors, Co-partners, Etc. Suits against joint obligors, joint promissors, co-partners, or joint trespassers, residing in different counties, may be tried in either county.

Paragraph V. Suits Against Maker, Endorser, Etc. Suits against the maker and endorser of promissory notes, or drawer, acceptor and endorser of foreign or inland bills of exchange, or like instruments, residing in different counties, shall be brought in the county where the maker or acceptor resides.

Paragraph VI. All Other Cases. All other civil cases shall be tried in the county where the defendant resides, and all criminal cases shall be tried in the county where the crime was committed, except cases in the Superior Courts where the Judge is satisfied that an impartial jury cannot be obtained in such county.

Paragraph VII. Power to Change Venue. The power to change the venue in civil and criminal cases shall be vested in the Superior Courts to be exercised in such manner as has been, or shall be, provided by law.

SECTION XV.

JURY TRIAL

Paragraph I. Right of Trial By Jury. The right of trial by jury, except where it is otherwise provided in this Constitution, shall remain inviolate, but the General Assembly may prescribe any number, not less than five, to constitute a trial, or traverse jury, except in the superior court.

Paragraph II. Selection of Jurors. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the selection of the most experienced, intelligent and upright men to serve as grand jurors, and intelligent and upright men to serve as traverse jurors. Nevertheless, the grand jurors shall be competent to serve as traverse jurors. The General Assembly shall have the power to require jury service of women also, under such regulations as the General Assembly may prescribe.

Paragraph III. Compensation of Jurors. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly by general laws to prescribe the manner of fixing compensation of jurors in all counties in this State.

SECTION XVI.

WHAT COURTS MAY BE ABOLISHED

Paragraph I. Power to Abolish Courts. All courts not specially mentioned by name in the first Section of this Article may be abolished in any county at the discretion of the General Assembly.

Paragraph II. Supreme Court Cost; Pauper Oath. The cost in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals shall be as provided by law. Plaintiffs in error shall not be required to pay costs in said courts when the usual pauper oath is filed in the court below.

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