GA 17-7-94 - GA 17-7-94

JUDICIAL DECISIONS Entry of Alford plea by juvenile. - Juvenile court erred by denying a juvenile's request to enter an Alford plea since the Georgia General Assembly did not expressly prohibit the entry of Alford pleas in juvenile court, and the juvenile court was required to construe O.C.G.A. § 15-11-580 liberally to ensure the juvenile's best interests. In the Geistest of B. C., 333 Ga. App. 763 , 777 S.E.2d 52 (2015). Plea of not guilty forms issue to be tried by jury. - Under this section, the defendant's plea of not guilty to the first indictment forms an issue to be tried by the jury, and it is the duty of the state to try the defendant upon that issue alone without in effect announcing to the prospective jurors that there also exist other indictments against this defendant for othe...