Georgia’s Judicial Branch
The purpose of rules is to regulate how we interact with
one another and manage conflict
Interpret the state constitution
Protect legal rights of citizens
Enforce the laws of the state
Originally the court was just a room where a person went to
seek justice or fairness- in settling a dispute
State Judicial Branch
Made up of 7 different levels of courts
A.
appellate-level courts (handle appeals from lower courts)
supreme court
court of appeals
B. trial-level courts
1. superior 3. juvenile
5. magistrate
2. state
4. probate
The courts interpret the laws made by the legislative branch
Each state has its own court system
Appellate Courts
Includes:
Supreme Court of Georgia
highest court in Georgia
7 justices
no jury
Court of Appeals
12 judges
no jury
Court of Appeals and Superior Courts
do not hold trialsthey review decisions made by trial courts to determine if the
decisions were fair.
Courts at the local level
Municipal and special courts
Supreme Court
Highest court in Georgia
7 supreme court judges
elected by popular vote
serve 6 year term
Judges elect a chief justice among themselves
If position becomes open governor can appoint one
Supreme Court
Review cases:
titles to land
Wills
Divorce
Alimony
Death penalty
They have the final authority in matters of law for the state
Trial Courts
Magistrate Courts
159
Probate Courts
159
Juvenile Courts
159
State Courts
70
Superior Courts
188
Magistrate courts (elected or appointed)
small claims ($15,00), bad checks, minor arrest,
search warrants, county ordinances violations, no jury
Probate Courts (elected)
wills, marriages, appointment of guardians, may have a
jury
Juvenile courts (appointed by superior court judges)
delinquent children under 17
deprived children under 18, juvenile traffic cases
no jury
State courts (elected)
misdemeanor violations, traffic and civil cases
judge and jury
Superior courts (elected)
any civil or criminal case, felonies, juvenile serious cases, titles to land , judge and jury
Quick quiz
1. Which is the highest court in Georgia?
a. State court b. Superior Court
c. Supreme Court
2. Which court does not have a jury
a. State court
b. Juvenile court
c. Superior court
3.Which court can hear almost any civil or criminal case?
a. Probate court c. Magistrate court
b. Superior court
Quick quiz
4. Which court has 12 judges?
a. Supreme court
b. Juvenile court
c. Court of appeals
5. If you got a bad check from someone, which court would help you?
a. Magistrate court
b. Supreme court
c. Juvenile court
Quick quiz
6. Which court handles wills and other administrative matters?
a. Magistrate court
b. State court
c. Probate court
7. A misdemeanor like trespassing would be handled by which court?
a. Court of Appeals
b. Probate court
c. State court
Criminal and Civil
Criminal
Person has committed a crime
Divided into 2 groups
misdemeanor
Less serious crime
Punishment less than one year in prison
Fine $1,000 or less or both
concealed weapon
traffic violations
cruelty to animals
shoplifting
trespassing
felonies
most serious of crimes-punishable by a year or
more in prison
arson
murder
Burglary
robbery
kidnapping rape
auto theft selling drugs
Civil Cases
Courts settle disputes between two or more persons or groups
Citizenship, property rights, contract, marriages, divorce, child custody, inheritance
Plaintiff
Person or group who
brings the legal action
Defendant
Prosecution
Person or group against
whom the legal action is
brought
The state brings criminal
charges against an
individual
Quick Quiz
1. Who has the burden of proof in a criminal case?
a. accused
b. defendant
c. plaintiff
d. state
Quick Quiz
2. Who has the burden of proof in a civil case?
a. accused
b. Defendant
c. Plaintiff
d. state