Mercier, Judge.Mateo Uribe appeals from the trial court’s order denying his motion for discharge and acquittal on statutory speedy trial grounds under OCGA § 17-7-170, contending that the order is erroneous and that the court erred in denying his motion without first holding an evidentiary hearing, in violation of his constitutional right to due process.[1] For the reasons that follow, we affirm. 1. We disagree with Uribe’s contention that the trial court’s findings were erroneous. “The denial of a statutory speedy trial demand presents a question of law which this Court reviews de novo.” Rogers v. State, 340 Ga. App. 24 (795 SE2d 328) (2016) (citation omitted). “When we consider the meaning of a statute, we must presume that the General Assembly meant what it said and said what it meant. When a statute contains clear and unambiguous language, such language will be given its plain meaning and will be applied accordingly.” Williamson v. State, 295 Ga. 185, 186 (1) (758 SE2d 790) (2014) (citations and punctuation omitted).OCGA § 17-7-170 (a) sets forth the required form for a statutory speedy trial demand in a non-capital case:A demand for speedy trial filed pursuant to this Code section shall be filed as a separate, distinct, and individual document and shall not be a part of any other pleading or document. Such demand shall clearly be titled “Demand for Speedy Trial”; reference this Code section within the pleading; and identify the indictment number or accusation number for which such demand is being made[.] (Emphasis supplied). OCGA § 17-7-170 (b) provides that “[i]f the defendant is not tried when the demand for speedy trial is made or at the next succeeding regular court term thereafter, provided that at both court terms there were juries impaneled and qualified to try the defendant, the defendant shall be absolutely discharged and acquitted of the offense charged in the indictment or accusation.”Dismissing a criminal case pursuant to OCGA § 177170 is an extreme sanction, one which may be invoked only if the defendant has strictly complied with the statute. . . .OCGA § 177170 confers a statutory right upon persons accused of a crime to demand trial, and because the penalty imposed by this statute against the state is so great, it must be strictly construed.
