Ga. Code § 15-12-168 : COURTS — JURIES — TRIAL JURIES — JURIES IN FELONY CASES —12-168 - Authority to call alternate jurors

Whenever in the opinion of a judge of a superior court any felony trial is likely to be a protracted one, immediately after the jury has been impaneled and sworn the court shall direct the calling of one or more additional jurors to be known as "alternate jurors."