(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, in addition to any other jurisdiction vested in the probate courts, such courts shall have the right and power to conduct trials, receive pleas of guilty, and impose sentence upon defendants for violating any provision of Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52, known as the “Georgia Boat Safety Act,” which constitutes a misdemeanor. Such jurisdiction shall be concurrent with other courts having jurisdiction over such violations.
(b) A probate court shall not have the power to dispose of misdemeanor cases as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section unless
the defendant shall first waive in writing a trial by jury. If the defendant does not waive a trial by jury, the defendant shall notify the court and, if probable cause exists, the defendant shall be immediately bound over to a court in the county having jurisdiction to try the offense wherein a jury may be impaneled.