Kurt Alan Thomas v. State

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________
February 25, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A1304. KURT ALAN THOMAS v. THE STATE.

On November 12, 2025, Kurt Alan Thomas pleaded guilty to 11 counts of
invasion of privacy. The trial court sentenced him to 15 years, with the first three years
to be served in confinement and the balance on probation. Thomas filed this direct
appeal from his plea and sentence. We lack jurisdiction.
Our General Assembly recently amended OCGA § 5-6-35 so that any direct
appeal from a guilty plea entered on or after May 14, 2025, must “be initiated by filing
an application for discretionary review.” Clark v. State, __ Ga. App. __, n.1 (924
SE2d 346) (2025); OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(5.3). “Compliance with the discretionary
appeals procedure is jurisdictional.”Phaneuf v. Anthony, 375 Ga. App. 636, 638 (917
SE2d 191) (2025). Consequently, Thomas’s failure to comply with the discretionary
appeals procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal, which is hereby
DISMISSED. Hester v. State, __ Ga. App. __ (924 SE2d 457) (2025).

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
02/25/2026
I certify that the above is a true extract from
the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Witness my signature and the seal of said court
hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

, Clerk.