• Tape team sign and point sheet
• Take out one sheet of paper per
tribe
• Write YOUR team # at top
• Write “Team to lose points: ___”
in the middle
DAY 9: The Judicial Branch
of the state of Georgia
SS8CG4 - The student will analyze the role
of the judicial branch in Georgia state
government.
A. Explain the structure of the court system
in Georgia, to include trial and appellate
procedures, and how judges are selected.
B. Explain the difference between criminal
law and civil law.
REWARD CHALLENGE: Court
terminology scenario creation
task
GA GOVERNMENT
EDITION
A. What is the role of the
Judicial System in GA?
– Interprets the GA
Constitution
– Protects legal rights of
the people
• GA courts protect the
people by giving them “due
process of law”, and by
handling disputes in either
criminal cases or civil
cases.
– Enforces the laws of the
state
B. There are 2 types of court cases that GA’s
Court System hears:
• Civil Case- where the
court acts as a referee to
settle disputes between 2
parties (auto accidents,
divorces, contracts). A
judge usually decides the
outcome – no jury.
(pg. 544-545)
• Criminal Case - The
state prosecutes
someone charged
with committing a
crime against the
state. A crime violates
not just the victim, but
the public as well.
(pg. 544-545)
C. There are 2 types of CRIMES that a
person can commit:
• Felony- A crime such
as arson, burglary,
rape, drugs, vehicle
theft, and kidnapping. It
is punishable by one
year or more in jail and
a $1000+ fine
(pg. 545)
• Misdemeanor - A
crime that carries a
penalty of 1-12 months
in jail such as carrying
a concealed weapon,
trespassing, DUI, and
shoplifting and a fine
of less than $1000.
(pg. 545)
• Appellate courts –
ONLY REVIEW
cases on appeal
from lower ranking
courts.
• Trial courts - HEAR
ORIGINAL cases,
such as criminal
cases and civil
cases
E. There are 2 types of JURIES that are
used:
• Trial Jury – a group of people
decide if the defendant is guilty
or innocent.
• Grand Jury – determines
whether or not a person
accused of a crime should be
indicted (charged) & required
to stand trial.
(pg. 546)
Terminology Flowchart for Georgia’s Judicial Branch
Appellate
Court
Trial Court
2 Types of Courts
Trial
Jury
Grand Jury
2 Types
of Cases
Civil Cases
2 Types
of Juries
Criminal
Cases
Felony
2 Types
of Crimes
Misdemeanor
Reward Challenge: Court Terminology
Scenario Creation Task
• Choose 2 of the following judicial system
“types” to create a short scenario:
– 2 Courts
• Appellate OR Trial
– 2 Juries
• Grand OR Trial
– 2 Cases
• Civil OR Criminal
– 2 Crimes
• Felony OR Misdemeanor
Example of Crime
Scenario –
John sets fire to an
abandoned building
after getting into a
fierce verbal dispute
with his girlfriend. Did
he commit a felony or
a misdemeanor?
Supreme Court
Higher-ranking
courts
__7_ Judges
Elected by __popular__ vote
Chief Justice is chosen by _the other judges__
___12___ Judges
Elected by popular vote
_4__ divisions in Georgia
State
Court
_70_
Courts
__105_
Judges
(circle one)
Superior __Court___
__188___ Judges
Elected by popular vote
___49____ Circuits in Georgia
Probate
Court
_159__
Courts
_159__
Judges
Juvenile
Court
__159__
Courts
_159__ Judges
and Associate
Judges
(circle one)
Trial Court
or
Appellate
Court
Court of _Appeals__
Lower-ranking
courts
Trial Court
or
Appellate
Court
Magistrate
Court
_159___
Courts
_159 Chief
magistrates
346_magistrates
Trial Courts
or
Appellate
Courts
(circle one)
Municipal
Court
• 370 courts
• 350 judges