Georgia § 15-6-21 - Time for deciding motions; filing and notification; noncompliance as ground for impeachment.

§ 15-6-21. Time for deciding motions; filing and notification; noncompliance as ground for impeachment.

In a county with less than 100,000 inhabitants, it shall be the duty of the judge of the superior, state, or city court, unless providentially hindered or unless counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant agree in writing to extend the time, to decide promptly, within 30 days after the same have been argued before him or submitted to him without argument, all motions for new trials, injunctions, demurrers, and all other motions of any nature. In all counties with more than 100,000 inhabitants, it shall be the duty of the judge of the superior, state, or city court, unless providentially hindered or unless counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant agree in writing to extend the time, to decide promptly, within 90 days after the same have been argued before him or submitted to him without argument, all motions for new trials, injunctions, demurrers, and all other motions of any nature. When he or she has so decided, it shall be the duty of the judge to file his or her decision with the clerk of the court in which the cases are pending and to notify the attorney or attorneys of the losing party of his or her decision. Said notice shall not be required if such notice has been waived pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 9-11-5. If any judge fails or refuses, unless providentially hindered or unless counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant agree in writing to extend the time, to obey the provisions of subsections (a) through (c) of this Code section, or if any judge repeatedly or persistently fails or refuses to decide the various motions, demurrers, and injunctions coming before him in the manner provided by such subsections, such conduct shall be grounds for impeachment and the penalty therefor shall be his removal from office. (Ga. L. 1898, p. 89, §§ 1, 2; Civil Code 1910, §§ 4864, 4865; Ga. L. 1916, p. 50, § 1; Code 1933, §§ 24-2620, 24-2621; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 15; Ga. L. 1990, p. 8, § 15; Ga. L. 2001, p. 854, § 2.) Motions, demurrers, special pleas, and similar items in criminal matters, Uniform Superior Court Rules, Rule 31. Cross references. - Impeachment, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. III, Sec. VII. Editor's notes. - Ga. L. 2001, p. 854, § 3, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to subsection (c) shall apply to judgments or decisions entered on and after July 1, 2001. Law reviews. - For article, "Judicial Retirement, Discipline and Removal," see 3 Ga. St. B. J. 197 (1966). For article discussing the inefficiency of mandamus and impeachment as remedies for judicial inaction, see 5 Ga. St. B. J. 467 (1969). For survey article on workers' compensation law, see 59 Mercer L. Rev. 463 (2007).