Jones v. State

Johnson, Judge.

Billie Jones pled guilty to violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (sale of Alprazolam). At the sentencing hearing, defense counsel requested that the court grant first offender treatment for Jones. The trial judge denied the request, stating: “I have never granted a first offender. I take the position that once you get to the Superior Court, this is a big folks’ court, and I don’t use the first offender treatment. Never have, never intend to.” The court then sentenced Jones to a term of five years probation. Jones appeals from the sentence, arguing that the judge…