Chapter 24 Section 1: State
Constitutions
Big Idea: A State Constitution is the
supreme law of that State; it sets out
how the State is governed
Vocabulary
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Popular Sovereignty
Limited government
Fundamental law
Initiative
Statutory law
Notes
• What influenced the first State constitutions,
and what were the contents and purpose of
the first State constitutions?
• List the basic principles and the kinds of
provisions found in every State constitution:
• Explain the process for State constitutional
change:
• Why do some States need to reform their
constitutions?
Notes ch 24 section 2: State
Legislatures
State legislatures, the lawmaking
bodies of the States, are popularly
elected and organizes like Congress
Vocabulary
• Police power
• Constituent power
• referendum
Notes
• Describe the structure and size of State
legislatures:
• What is the election process for State
legislators? How many terms can they serve?
How are they compensated?
• What are the legislative and non-legislative
powers of State Legislatures?
• How are State legislatures organized?
• Summarize the legislative process:
Chapter 24 Section 3: The Governor
and State Administration
Big Idea: The Governor, the chief
executive of a State, is popularly
elected, as are many other important
State Executive officers
Vocabulary
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Item veto
Clemency
Pardon
Commutation
Reprieve
Parole
recall
Notes
• Describe the office of governor:
– Qualifications:
– Selection:
– Term:
– Succession
– Removal
– compensation
notes
• What are the governor’s many roles, powers,
duties, and limitations of office?
• Describe other State executive offices:
– Lieutenant Governor:
– Secretary of State:
– State Treasurer:
– Attorney General:
Chapter 24 Section 4: In the
Courtroom
Big Idea: State Courts apply the forms
of law that make up the code of
conduct by which our society is
governed
Vocabulary
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Common law
Precedent
Criminal law
Felony
Misdemeanor
Civil law
Jury
Information
Bench trial
notes
• What kinds of law are applied in State courts?
• What are the similarities and differences
between civil law and criminal law?
• How does the jury system work:
– Grand Jury:
– The Information:
– Petit Jury:
– Selection of Jurors:
Ch 24 Section 5: Courts and their
Judges
Big Idea: Judges for State Courts, who
may be selected in several ways, hear
cases ranging from the minor to the
most serious
vocabulary
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Justice of the Peace
Warrant
Preliminary hearing
Magistrate
Appellate jurisdiction
Notes
• Organization of courts:
– Justices of the Peace:
– Magistrates’ Courts:
– Municipal Courts:
– Juvenile Courts:
– General Trial Courts:
– Intermediate Appellate Courts
– State Supreme Court
notes
• List and describe the 3 ways that judges may
be selected: