Georgia State Government

1. Georgia State Government Legislative, Executive & Judicial

2. Citizens and Government • Ways that citizens can participate in their government & politics: 1. VOTE 2. Join a political party and become active in local and state politics. 3. Contributing money to a candidate or political organization. 4. Campaign for individuals or become candidates for public office themselves.

3. Citizens and Government Georgia citizens vote for the following national positions: • President & Vice President • 2 US Senators to represent GA • 1 Congressman (House of Representatives) to represent GA.

4. Citizens and Government • A normal, planned election where citizens • Vote for national, state, and local offices. • These are held on Tuesdays after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years. • Can be held at almost any time. • Used to fill elective positions that become vacant when the officeholder dies or resigns from office. General Election Special Election

5. Citizens and Government • Referendum is where citizens vote on a questions directly rather that going through their elected representative. • Examples of a referendum: Sales Tax, State Flag Issue, Sunday Alcohol Sales

6. Citizens and Government • Georgia has an OPEN PRIMARY • Both the Democratic and Republican primaries are open to any registered voter. One does not have to be a member of a party organization to vote in a primary.

7. Citizens and Government • There are no rules governing the general election.  • Voters can choose all democrats, all republicans, or a mixture of the two parties and independent parties.   • Runoff elections are held between the two candidates with the highest vote totals. • These are scheduled three weeks after the general election.

8. The Legislative • Made up by the General Assembly. • 2 Houses – Senate and House of Representatives. • 236 Members • General Assembly members meet for a 40 day session beginning on the second Monday in January. • 2 year term in office

9. The Legislative • Responsible for making laws for the state of Georgia. • Responsible for appropriating funds for the State to spend. • Leadership: -- Speaker of the House (Majority party) -- President of Senate (Lt. Gov.)

10. The Legislative • Committee System in the General Assembly • A Standing committee is a group of legislators organized by subject area that continues from session to session. Each committee is organized into two or more subcommittees to allow greater specialization of expertise.

11. The Legislative – How a Bill Becomes a Law • Bill is introduced • Committee recommends Bill • The Bill Goes to the Entire House Vote • The Bill Goes to the Senate • Bill Goes to the Governor

12. The Executive • Qualifications: • US Citizen for 15 years • GA Citizen for 6 years • 30 Years Old • Term In Office: • 4 Years • Elected In: • November General Election • Takes Office In: • January • Governor: Sonny Perdue • Lieutenant Governor: Casey Cagle

13. The Executive Branch - Agencies Government Agency: A unit of government such as a department, board, commission or office. They are a part of the executive branch. All executive branch activities fit into seven major policy categories: Education, Human Services, Public Safety, Transportation, General Government, Economic Development, and Natural Resources.

14. Examples of Government Agencies that Affect us

15. Examples of Government Agencies that Affect us

16. Examples of Government Agencies that Affect us

17. How Does the government get money? • Revenue is money that the government gets to pay for expenditures. • Expenditure is the amount of money the government spends on something.

18. How Does the State government get money? Other Taxes Fuel Tax Income Tax Sales Tax

19. Local Governments – Three Types Counties Cities Special Districts

20. County Government • The governing body of a county is its county commission, whose members are elected by the county voters. • County commissioners can pass ordinances (law about property & affairs) and resolutions (informal statement on the commission's opinion). • A County Seat is the center of a county’s government. • Canton is Cherokee County’s central seat of government.

21. Services Counties provide

22. City Government

23. Special Districts • A unit set up by the legislature or by a city or county ordinance for a special purpose.

24. The Big 8 Local Government Services

25. Local Government Revenue

26. County & City Revenue • The COUNTY gets the most revenue from Property Taxes. • The COUNTY gets the least revenue from licenses and permits. • The CITY gets the most revenue from Public Utilities. • The CITY gets the least revenue from licenses and permits.

27. The criminal justice process • Laws are made in society to keep order. • Conflicts over these laws may be over… 1. Rights and duties of citizens, businesses or governments. 2. Questions of guilt or innocence 3. Constitutionality of laws

28. Cases in our judicial system • A case where a citizen brings legal action against another party. IE: Monetary Compensation, Divorce, Accident, etc. • Plaintiff: Person who brings legal action • Defendant: Person whom legal action was brought against. • The state prosecutes someone charged with committing a CRIME. • Prosecution - The government who is putting the defendant on trial for breaking the law. • A defendant in a criminal case different than a defendant in a civil case because they are charged with a crime. Criminal Cases Civil Cases

29. Types of Crimes • Felony • A very serious crime punishable by a year or more in prison and/or a fine issued by the court. Arson, burglary, kidnapping, car theft, murder, robbery, & rape. • Misdemeanor • Less serious crime, punishable to 1–12 months in jail and or a fine up to $1000 or less.

30. Types of Court Jurisdiction • When someone does not agree with the courts decision, they can appeal the decision. • This type of case goes to an appeals courts because they have appellate jurisdiction. • Appellate Courts have the right to review decisions of lower courts. • These courts are the first to hear court cases. Either Criminal or Civil. • The have original jurisdiction – they are the FIRST to hear a case. Appellate Courts Trial Courts

31. The Criminal Justice Process • Due Process: This is the process by which your rights in the criminal justice process are outlined. • You have the right to be notified of the charges against you. • You are to be provided a speedy and public trial • Be able to confront and cross-examine witnesses

32. The Criminal Justice Process • In a criminal case, there is a jury made up of 12 citizens of your peers. • The Jury has three main tasks: 1. Hear the evidence presented by the prosecution 2. Hears evidence presented by the defense attorney 3. Decides whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

33. Pretrial Proceedings • Arrested for a crime • Booking at police station • Initial appearance before a judge • Preliminary Hearing • Grand Jury Indictment • Arraignment • Plea Bargain

34. Trial Proceedings • Jury Selection • Opening Statements • Presentation of Case • Closing Statements • Jury Deliberation & Verdict • Sentencing

36. Appellate jurisdiction • Exclusive in cases involving constitutional issues, contested elections, capital felonies, titles to land, wills, and divorces. • Appellate jurisdiction in cases not reserved to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Appellate Court

37. General jurisdiction • Exclusive in cases of felonies, divorces, titles to land. Appellate jurisdiction: over probate, magistrate, and municipal courts. • Limited jurisdiction • Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and most civil cases. Superior Court Trial Courts 159 Courts (49 circuits) State Court 70 Courts

38. Limited jurisdiction • Children under 17 years old said to be delinquent, unruly, or charged with a traffic violation; under 18 said to be deprived. • Limited jurisdiction • Probating wills, administering estates, appointing guardians, and involuntary hospitalization of incapacitated individuals. Juvenile Court 159 Courts Probate Court 159 Courts

39. Limited Jurisdiction: • Criminal: pretrial proceedings, warrants, and bail. • County ordinance, traffic, and bad check violations. • Civil Claims under $5,000. • Limited jurisdiction • Traffic violations, ordinance violations, and criminal preliminaries (such as warrants). Magistrate Court 159 Courts Municipal “City” Court approximately 400 Courts

40. Juvenile Justice System • Juveniles (anyone under 17) have a separate court system. • In the 1800’s it was believed that children should be treated differently under the law. • Children may not be fully aware or responsible for their actions or able to take care of themselves. Children needed to be protected not punished.

41. Juveniles Must follow rules that adults do not • Obey reasonable and lawful commands of parents or guardians. • Attend school regularly or have a proper excuse • Not run away from home • Not wander or loiter on the streets or in any public places between midnight and 5 AM • Not enter any bar where alcoholic beverages are sold without a parent or guardian • Not possess or use any alcoholic beverages

42. Like adults, Juveniles have rights, when taken into custody, juveniles have these rights • To be notified in writing of the charges against them • To be represented by an attorney • To call witnesses • To confront and cross-examine witnesses against them • Not to be found guilty solely on the bases of a confession • Not to have their names or photographs made public on a first offense (unless being tried as an adult)

43. Different Courts for Juveniles • Protect the well being of children • Provide guidance and control in the interests of the child as well as of the state • Secure care for any child removed from his or her home.

44. Delinquent Act V/s Status Offense • Delinquent Act • Any act that would be a criminal offense if committed by an adult • Status Offense • An offense that would NOT be a crime if committed by an adult.

45. 3 statuses of Juveniles • Delinquent Juveniles • Children and youth under 17 who commit acts which would be criminal offenses if committed by an adult. • Deprived Juveniles • Children and youth under 18 who are neglected or abused by parents or who have no parents or guardians. They are considered to be in need of some kind of supervision by the court. • Unruly Juveniles • Children who commit acts that would NOT be offenses if committed by adults. Refuse to go to school, run away, curfew, etc.

46. What Happens When you are arrested??

47. Taken into custody • Legal authorities apprehend the juvenile. • Parents notified • Juvenile court decides to send them to a juvenile detention center or to release them to their parents.

48. Intake Decision • Juvenile court officer investigates charges and family situation. • Course of action is one of the following: 1. No further action 2. Informal adjustment –youth to attend counseling, pay damages, or other things aimed at changing behavior 3. Filing a petition for a formal hearing

49. Formal Hearing • Juvenile & parents receive a formal summons to appear in juvenile court. • Witness notified to appear. • Juvenile may have an attorney • Juvenile court judge conducts hearing. • Two parts: adjudication and disposition.