The Judicial Branch SSCG4 The Students will analyze the role of the Judicial Branch in Georgia government. (a, b, c, d) SSCG6 The student will explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders.
Great Hall. Detail of eagle carving. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C.
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior(lower) Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. U.S. Constitution Article III Sections 1
The Judicial Branch in GA gets its authority from the GA Constitution www.galileo.usg.edu/
Georgia Court System Georgia s Judicial Branch is organized according to the state s constitution It interprets the laws of the state It makes decisions and judgments It is made up of Trial and Appellate Courts A court s jurisdiction includes the geographical area it controls and the kinds of cases it can judge/hear
1685 laws, Larger images display only at the Library of Congress
Trial Courts Georgia has 5 class of trial courts, Superior, State, Probate, Magistrate, Juvenile They make judgments based on people s action as they are measured against the laws Judgments are made by either a jury or judge
Jury Trials A Jury is a group of citizens Superior Court- handles felonies, and larger civil and misdemeanor cases State Court- handles misdemeanor and civil cases, plus traffic violations Probate Court- handles wills, marriages and firearm licenses (only uses a jury in counties with more than 96,000) Judge only Trials Magistrate Courts- issues warrants (arrest and search)and handles small civil cases Juvenile Courts- handles cases involving children under the age of 18, including neglected children and those who commit crimes
Law Enforcement, July 1940
Appellate Courts They look over or review judgments made by trial courts They decide if the trial courts made a mistake Includes Georgia State Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals
Georgia s Supreme Court Justices
Criminal Cases When a person or group has committed a crime, which is breaking the law ( local, state or national level) The government is represented by the Prosecutor The accused is called the defendant Felonies are serious crimes Misdemeanors are less serious Must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to be guilty
Courthouses and Jails throughout history
Jail, Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia Building/structure dates: ca. 1837. Used until 1895
Civil Cases When a person or group accuses another person or group of somehow doing them wrong The person doing the complaining is the plaintiff and the accused is the defendant Often resolved out of court or before the trial Only need a preponderance of evidence to win the case
www.archives.gov Patent infringement Case "Summons from U.S. Circuit Court Civil Case 1211, Levi Strauss et al vs A. B. Elfelt et al (1874-1875), 01/31/1874-02/03/1874"
Steps of Criminal Justice process 1. Investigation 2. Search warrant 3. Arrest 4. Custody or booked 5. Indictment by a grand jury 6. Arraignment 7. Bail 8. Trial and verdict 9. Sentencing 10. Appeal
Juvenile Law Its purpose is to help and protect the well being of children To make sure juveniles receive care, guidance and control To provide care for children who have been removed from their home Its jurisdiction includes children s court, juveniles with traffic violations, delinquent and unruly behaviors of children 13 to 17 years old
Judge George M. Rountree Glenn Co. GA Juvenile Court Juvenile Justice System
Delinquent/ unruly behavior Delinquent behavior is breaking the law or criminal behavior Unruly or status offense is those offenses that would not be a crime if committed by an adult. Examples: Refusing to attend school, runs away, out past curfew, caught in a bar or with alcohol
Juvenile Justice Process Crime Intake Charged Detained in RYDC (Regional Youth Detention Center) Probable Cause Hearing Formal Hearing Adjudicatory Hearing Dispositional Hearing Sentencing Appeal
Seven Deadly Sins- crimes that if committed by a juvenile will get them tried as an adult in Superior Court 1. Murder 2. Rape 3. Aggravated sodomy 4. Aggravated child molestation 5. Aggravated sexual battery 6. Armed robbery 7. kidnapping
From the State of Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice The Mission : To protect and serve the citizens of Georgia by holding youthful offenders accountable for their actions through the delivery of effective services, in appropriate settings, establishing youth in their communities as law abiding citizens. The Vision : Youth served by the Department of Juvenile Justice will be offered the opportunity to achieve their highest potential through proven, innovative and effective programs delivered in appropriate settings by a well trained, professional staff, with a commitment to best practices in juvenile corrections.
(City) Review
Review: Georgia s Judicial Branch gets its authority from the state s Constitution The function of each court varies depending on its jurisdiction Georgia has 2 appellate courts which review lower court decisions Georgia has 5 trial courts, 3 that can have juries and 2 that do not (there are also city courts known as municipal court) Georgia has special laws and courts for Juveniles