O.C.G.A. § 17-8-2: Indictments and special presentments to be presented to jury; exception for settlements between prosecutor and defendant which are approved by court.

All indictments or special presentments shall be submitted to and passed upon by a jury under the direction of the presiding judge unless there is a settlement of the case between the prosecutor and the defendant, which settlement shall be valid only by the approval and order of the court on examination into the merits of the case.