Smith v. State

“[T]he defendant in any criminal proceeding . . . may appeal from any sentence, judgment, decision, or decree of the court. ...” OCGA § 5-6-33. By creating a statutory right to appeal (Thomas v. State, 260 Ga. 262, 263 (392 SE2d 520) (1990)), Georgia has made its appellate courts “ ‘an integral part of the . . . system for finally adjudicating the guilt or innocence of a defendant, [cit.]. . . .’” Evitts v. Lucey, 469 U. S. 387, 393 (105 SC 830, 83 LE2d 821) (1985). In the last six months, this Court has eroded the statutory right of appeal of the criminal defendant who pleads guilty. In…