The Judicial Branch

1. The Judicial Branch March 3, 2014

2. The Judicial Branch • The Judicial branch of our state government consists of the state’s ______ • Their job is to ________ the state ______________, protect the _______ rights of the citizens, and enforce the ______ of the state

3. Interpreting Laws/Ensuring Justice • Courts enforce ______________ laws, ___________ laws (those passed by the General Assembly), administrative laws (regulations of executive branch agencies), and ______ laws (interpretations of written laws) • They protect citizens from abuse by government by ensuring each citizen has “_______________________”

4. Due Process of Law • Due process is guaranteed by the ________________________ (____ Amendment) • This means that anyone arrested for a crime has the _______ to have a lawyer present during questioning • They must be given a speedy, public _______ before a fair judge and jury • They may face and questions _____________, or they can remain silent so as not to incriminate (blame) themselves (“plead the _____”)

5. Structure of Courts • The _________-ranking court in Georgia is the ____________________ • The __________ highest-ranking court is the Court of ___________ (appellate courts) • At the bottom are the _________ courts

6. The Georgia Supreme Court Justices • There are ____ Supreme Court justices (judges) • They are elected by popular vote to ____-year terms • Supreme Court justices elect the _______________ from among themselves • The Chief Justice not only serves as the ______ of the Georgia Supreme Court, but also as the head of the _________________ of Georgia’s government

7. Duties of the Supreme Court • The Supreme Court is an _____________ court • It only reviews cases on appeal from lower courts • There are no witnesses or juries • Another responsibility is to interpret the state ________________ • It may review cases involving the constitutionality of laws • It automatically reviews __________________ cases • It regulates the admission of attorneys to practice law in Georgia • Their decisions are __________ (final)

8. Court of Appeals • _________ judges serve on this court • They _______ one of their members to be Chief Judge • They are elected by popular _____ to serve __________ terms • Like the Supreme Court, this is an ____________ court • It only hears cases appealed from lower courts

9. Trial Courts • Trial courts hear ___________ cases, either criminal or civil – each court has _____________ (the range of actions over which the court has control or influence) • These courts include 188 superior courts in 49 circuits (regions), 70 state courts, 159 _________ (dealing with wills) courts, 159 ___________ (cases involving people under the age of 17) courts, and 159 ___________ (minor civil matters involving sums less than $15,000) courts • Over 400 municipal (city) courts and special courts are also part of the trial courts

10. Criminal Law • A criminal case is one involving a _________ of the ______ • The _______ (prosecution) brings criminal charges against a person and trial determines the guilt of the ____________ (person on trial) • Crimes are divided into ____ categories • A __________ is serious crime • A ________________ is a less serious crime

11. Felonies in Georgia • In Georgia, a felony is punishable by a ________________ in prison, a fine of ___________________, or both • Examples of felonies in Georgia are _________, drug crimes, _________ robbery (use a weapon), ____________ homicide (kill someone with your car), and shoplifting of goods valued over _______

12. Misdemeanors in Georgia • A misdemeanor is punishable by ______ than a year in prison, a fine of ____________ $1,000, or both • Examples of misdemeanors in Georgia include ________ violations, _____________ (on property not your own without permission), writing bad checks, and shoplifting items valued less than _______

13. Juries • An important part of Georgia’s court system is the concept of a _____ trial (a trial before one’s peers) • There are ____ types of juries – a grand jury and a trial jury • The ________ jury determines whether or not persons accused of crimes will be ___________ (officially charged) and required to stand trial • A _____ jury is a group of citizens whose job it is to judge a person charged with a crime

14. Civil Law • Civil lawsuits are ___________ (disputes between two or more people or groups) • Civil law cover issues such as ____________, property rights, _____________________, child custody, and inheritance • The person or group who brings the legal action (sues) is called the __________ • The person or group who the action is against (being sued) is called the _____________

15. Settling Disputes Peacefully • There are several ways to settle civil matters peacefully • Filing a ___________ • _______________: a neutral third party (mediator) meets with the opposing sides and helps them reach an agreement (the opposing sides reach the agreement) • __________________: a neutral third party (arbitrator) meets with the opposing sides to reach an agreement but the arbitrator makes the agreement • ________________: each side gives up something in order to settle the dispute • _______________: discussing an issue in order to resolve it • _________________: opposing parties work together to identify common ground • ________________: seeking change while rejecting violence

16. Questions: • 1) What does the judicial branch consist of? • 2) What is the job of the judicial branch? • 3) What guarantees due process of law? • 4) What are the steps to ensure due process of law has been followed? • 5) List the courts in order of rank (highest to lowest) • 6) How many supreme court justices are there? • 7) How long is a term for a supreme court justice? • 8) How is the Chief Justice selected? • 9) What type of court is the supreme court? • 10) What are the responsibilities of the Supreme Court?

17. More questions: • 11) How many judges serve on the court of appeals? • 12) How long is a term for an appeals court judge? • 13) What type of cases does the appeals court hear? • 14) What types of cases are heard in trial courts? • 15) What is jurisdiction? • 16) What does a criminal case involve? • 17) Who is the prosecution and who is the defendant in a criminal case? • 18) What are the two categories of crimes in Georgia? • 19) How is a felony punishable in Georgia? • 20) What are some examples of felonies in Georgia? • 21) How is a misdemeanor punishable in Georgia?

18. More questions: • 22) What are some examples of misdemeanors in Georgia? • 23) What is a jury trial? • 24) What is a grand jury? • 25) What is a trial jury? • 26) What is a civil lawsuit? • 27) What kinds of issues can be covered in civil lawsuits? • 28) Who is the plaintiff and who is the defendant in a civil case? • 29) What are the 7 ways to settle a dispute peacefully?