Jones v. State

JOHNSON, Presiding Judge.

Following a bench trial, the Probate Court of Meriwether County found Billy Thomas Jones guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol. Jones appealed his conviction to the superior court, arguing that the probate court erred in failing to quash his accusation. The superior court upheld the conviction, and Jones now seeks further review. Finding no error, we affirm.

At issue is the venue requirement for charging instruments filed in probate court. Under Georgia law, venue is a material element of a crime, and it must be alleged in an accusation or indictment. A…