1  State v. Redd, 243 Ga. App. 809 (534 SE2d 473) (2000). Reddick was appointed by the

2  It is well established that an appellate court applies the law as it exists at the time its decision is rendered. Elmore v. State, 269 Ga. 528, 530 (4) (501 SE2d 215) (1998). At the time the Supreme Court rendered its above-referenced decision/order, OCGA 5-7-1 had been amended to add a new subsection (a) (5) which in pertinent part says that the State has a right to appeal "[f]rom an order, decision, or judgment of a court where the . . . order is otherwise void under the Constitution or laws of this state. See Ga. L. 2000, p. 862, 2. This amended statute conferring subject matter jurisdiction upon the appellate courts to entertain the State's appeal of an allegedly void order is procedural and does not affect any substantive rights of any party, especially since "there is no federal or state constitutional right to bring an appeal. 'Instead, the right of appeal depends upon statute.' " Fullwood v. Sivley, 271 Ga. 248, 250 (517 SE2d 511) (1999). Where a statute governs only the procedure of the courts, it is to be given retroactive effect absent an express contrary intention. Polito v. Holland, 258 Ga. 54, 55 (365 SE2d 273) (1988).