Section 36-32-6.1. Jurisdiction in cases involving transactions in drug objects; disposition of fines; transfer of cases

   (a) The municipal court of any municipality shall be granted jurisdiction to try and dispose of cases where a person is charged with transactions in drug related objects in violation of Code Section 16-13-32 if the offense occurred within the corporate limits of such municipality. The jurisdiction of any such court shall be concurrent with the jurisdiction of any other courts within the county having jurisdiction to try and dispose of such cases.

(b) Any fines arising from the prosecution of such cases shall be retained by the municipality and shall be paid into the treasury of such municipality.

(c) Any defendant charged with transactions in drug related objects in violation of Code Section 16-13-32 in a municipal court shall be entitled, upon request, to have the case against him or her transferred to the court having general misdemeanor jurisdiction in the county where the alleged offense occurred.

(d) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to give any municipality the right to impose a fine or punish by imprisonment in excess of the limits as set forth in the municipality's charter.

Code 1981, § 36-32-6.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2012, p. 53, § 5/SB 352.