Section 38-3-64. Appeal rights of adversely affected parties; cost of appeal borne by state

   (a) Any person whose rights or interests are adversely affected by an order declaring the existence of a judicial emergency or any modification or extension of such an order shall be entitled to appeal.

(b) A notice of appeal shall be filed no later than 45 days after the expiration of the judicial emergency order, or any modification or extension of a judicial emergency order, from which an appeal is sought. A notice of appeal shall be filed with the clerk of a superior court in any jurisdiction affected by the order and shall be served upon:

   (1) The authorized judicial official who issued the order;

   (2) The parties to any criminal proceeding or civil litigation in which the appellant is involved which would be affected by the appeal;

   (3) The district attorney of the county in which the notice of appeal is filed; and

   (4) All other parties in any criminal proceeding or civil litigation which would be affected by the appeal; provided, however, that service in this regard shall be accomplished by publishing notice of the filing of the appeal in the newspaper which is the legal organ for the county in which the notice of the appeal is filed.

(c) The appeal shall be heard immediately by the Georgia Court of Appeals under the procedure of emergency motions. A party dissatisfied by the judgment of the Georgia Court of Appeals may appeal as a matter of right to the Georgia Supreme Court. Filing fees for these appeals shall be waived. All costs of court shall be borne by the state. Appeals shall be heard expeditiously.

Code 1981, § 38-3-64, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 420, § 3.