1. Government Unit Lesson 1 – Foundations of Government Study Presentation Georgia Studies

2. Lesson 1 - Foundations of Government ESSENTIAL QUESTION –How does the structure of Georgia’s government ensure that its citizens are fairly represented? –How do political parties serve the purpose of voters with different opinions?

3. Government Democracy – Government where the power is held by the people (who vote for their leaders). Government - Social institution set up to promote and protect society through formal rules and services. Three main levels of government: –Federal – Government for the country (i.e. U.S.). –State – Government that rules over an individual state (i.e. Georgia). –Local – County of city (municipal) governments.

4. U.S. Constitution Adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Ratified by all states. The Constitution consists of: –preamble (opening paragraph) –7 original articles Discuss the 3 branches of the government –Legislative, Executive, Judicial –Which powers are given to the states and which are given to the federal government –27 amendments Bill of Rights – the 1 st 10 Amendments Amendments – Changes or additions to a constitution.

6. GA State Constitution Constitution – A set of laws for a nation or state. The US Constitution established the Federal Government for the United States. The Georgia Constitution established the government for the state of Georgia. Georgia’s Constitution, contains a preamble and a Bill of Rights (a section containing a list of rights and government limits). Georgia’s Preamble – p. 530 –What does this mean to you? –Can you put the Preamble in your own words? –Who remembers what the Governor on p.530 did?

7. GA State Constitution Georgia’s government also has the same 3 branches. Separation of Powers – p.522-523 Separation of Powers – Each of the three branches of government have different jobs: –Legislative – Makes the rules or laws that people must obey. (Think “L” – Legislate laws) –Executive – Head, or leader, of the government. Enforces the laws. (Think “E” – Enforce laws) –Judicial – Interprets, or judges, the laws. (Think “J” – Judges laws)

8. Figure 70 (p.546) State Checks and Balances The Executive Branch can veto bills passed by the legislative branch and can call special sessions of the legislature. It also has some appointment powers when officers of the court resign or die. The Legislative Branch can impeach officials in the executive or judicial branches. It can override a governor’s veto of bills to make them into laws. It must also confirm appointments made by the governor. It can also propose constitutional changes. The Judicial Branch determines whether or not laws are constitutional.

9. GA State Constitution Checks and Balances – System created to ensure that none of the three branches of government become too powerful, or more powerful than any of the other branches.

10. Rights and Responsibilities Rights – Standard or law that ensures that governments and other institutions protect people’s freedom and treat people equally in society and politics. Responsibility – Knowledge that actions have consequences, and that these consequences effect other people. If people break laws and violate other people’s rights they will face consequences (arrests and court hearings).

11. Voting Requirements To register to vote in GA people must: –be 18 years old –be a citizen of the United States –live in the county of GA where they wish to vote. People who have been convicted of certain crimes may not be allowed to vote. Every two years Georgians vote for members of the state’s General Assembly. Every four years there are elections to choose the governor and lieutenant governor of the state. Voters in GA also vote in national elections for the president and members of the US Congress (House of Representatives and Senate). A Final Note, page 583

13. Political Parties Political Party – Political organizations that attempt to gain and maintain power by participating in electoral elections. The United States is a two-party system (Democrats and Republicans). This means there are 2 dominant Political Parties. –Who can tell me which party dominated politics in the South until the late 90s, early 2000s? –Who was the 1 st Republican Governor elected in Georgia?

14. Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag Like the pledge to the American flag, we also have a pledge to our State Flag. Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag "I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands; Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.“ Approved: March 28, 1935 Wisdom – good sense; a wise attitude, belief, or course of action Justice - the quality of being just, impartial, or fair; the quality of conforming to law Moderation – avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing reasonable limits

15. Georgia State Seal and the Georgia Flag Georgia State SealGeorgia State Flag The current Georgia state flag (adopted in 2004) features the state seal, surrounded by thirteen stars, which represent the original American colonies, placed on the first national flag of the Confederacy.

16. Georgia State Flag Who can tell me when the flag 1 st changed to include the Confederate Flag? (What decade?) What Governor was able to get the flag changed to end the controversy? Who changed the State flag to the current one?

17. Essential Questions Review –How does the structure of Georgia’s government ensure that its citizens are fairly represented? –How do political parties serve the purpose of voters with different opinions?

18. Government Unit Lessons 2, 3, and 4: Three Branches of Government Study Presentation Georgia Studies

19. Legislative Branch GA’s Legislative Branch is known as the General Assembly. –Members of the General Assembly, p.536 The General Assembly is bicameral (two houses) –House of Representatives - with 180 representatives –Senate - 56 Senators Senators must be at least 25 years old and citizens of the US. Representatives must be at least 21 years old. Representatives and Senators must be a legal resident of the district they represent and have lived in GA for two years. Most important duties are making GA’s laws and passing GA’s budget.

20. Legislative Branch General Assembly Leadership: –The Lieutenant Governor presides over (leads) Georgia’s Senate –Members of the House of Representatives elect a representative to lead them, known as the Speaker of the House. Maps 51 and 52 – p.536 & 537

21. GA House of Representatives

22. Georgia Senate

23. Legislative Process 5 Steps for a Bill to become a Law: –Drafting – Legislators write the text of the bill (proposed law). –Introduction – The bill is introduced to either the Senate or House of Representatives for discussion. –Committee Consideration – The bill is assigned to a committee that studies the bill. The bill may be changed at this time. –Floor Consideration –If the bill is passed in one house, it goes to the other house for consideration. –Governor Consideration – Once both houses pass the bill it is sent to the governor. The governor can then sign the bill into law or veto the bill (send it back to the General Assembly to be changed or rewritten). –Figure 68, p.541

24. Executive Branch GA’s Executive Branch is made up of many different offices and departments. The Executive Branch is the largest of the three branches in Georgia. –Figure 60, p.531 – this is why it is the largest! The governor is the leader of the Executive Branch. The governor and lieutenant governor both have to be at least 30 years old, US citizens for at least 15 years, and a GA resident for at least 6 years. The Governor may run for and serve a second term. There is no limit on number of terms a lieutenant governor may serve.

25. Executive Branch Duties of the Governor: Serve as the leader of the state’s executive branch Veto legislation put forward by the General Assembly Appoint people to lead executive offices. Duties of the Lieutenant Governor: Serve as governor if the governor dies or gets too sick to work, or impeached Serves as the President of the Senate.

26. GA’s Executive Branch GA Governor Nathan Deal Lt. Governor Casey Cagle

27. Executive Branch In addition to the governor and lieutenant governor, there are a large number of other agencies and leadership officials. Some of these are elected some are appointed. Examples of Georgia’s Elected Officials: –State Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor, Secretary of State, and State School Superintendent, etc. Examples of Appointed Officials, Boards, and Commissions: –State Boards of Pardons and Paroles, the Board of Natural Resources, Board of Public Safety, etc.

28. Judicial Branch GA’s Judicial Branch is made up of two main types of courts – Trial Courts and Appellate Courts. Trial Courts – People’s actions are judged to see whether or not they have committed a crime. These judgments are made either by a jury (group of citizens) or simply by a judge. Trial courts oversee two types of cases. –Civil cases: a person claims that another person did something wrong to them –Criminal case occurs when a person claims that a crime has been committed against them.

29. Appellate Procedures Appellate Courts – Look over judgments made by trial courts; there are no juries. If someone believes that a mistake was made during their trial they may make an appeal. The appeal goes to an appellate court who decides if a mistake was made. Makes sure that trials are fair and constitutional. Georgia has two appellate courts – The Supreme Court (Georgia’s highest court) and the Court of Appeals.

30. GA Supreme Court

31. Georgia Court System Elected by GA Voters 6 Year Terms Elected by GA Voters 6 Year Terms Elected by GA Voters 4 Year Terms Elected 4 Year Terms Elected 4 Year Terms Appointed by Judges 4 Year Terms Elected 4 Year Terms

32. Adult Justice System – Civil Cases Courts have jurisdiction Jurisdiction – Geographic and legal range over which a court has control and can pass judgment. Civil Law is used in Civil Cases. –Plaintiff – the person who complains about another person having done something wrong to them They try to convince a judge that their case has valid evidence against the Defendant –Defendant - the person accused of wrong doing

33. Adult Justice System – Criminal Cases Criminal Law is used in Criminal Cases. In a Criminal Case the government claims that a person or group has committed a crime (breaking the law). The Government is called the Prosecutor and the person accused of breaking the law is called the Defendant. The Prosecutor tries to convince the judge or jury that the Defendant committed a crime. If successful the Defendant can be found guilty and can be punished. Misdemeanors – punishment is less than 1 year Felonies - punishment is one year or more The punishment for very serious felonies (such as murder) may be death.

34. Conflict Resolution Many civil cases are settled out of court. The two sides in a conflict often resolve their issues without lawyers or judges. They may negotiate themselves or use a mediator. Mediator – A third person who has no interest in the problem. Helps the two sides in a conflict come to an agreement or resolution.

35. Local Governments Lesson 5 – Local Governments Study Presentation Georgia Studies

36. Lesson 5 - Local Governments ESSENTIAL QUESTION –Why do local governments collect and use taxes? –Why are there different forms of local governments?

37. County Governments Introduction, p.564 Local Governments provide services and protections to people who live in particular counties or cities. Counties serve as ways for people to be represented in state government. Through the sheriff, counties act to protect people. County Governments – Build and maintain roads, run Georgia’s welfare programs, have court systems, and more. There are 159 counties in Georgia. Each county has a probate court, a magistrate court, and a juvenile court.

39. Municipal Governments Georgia has approximately 600 cities and towns, also called municipalities. Municipalities have charters that form and structure the municipality’s government, and define the municipality’s boundaries and powers. Municipal governments elect officials and provide services for cities and towns. –Services such as: police and fire protection garbage collection and disposal street and road construction electric or gas utility services and more!

40. Forms of Municipal Government Municipal governments come in different forms. Residents elect members to a city council (the Legislative branch). The difference is found in how the Executive branch is set up. Forms of Municipal Government: –Weak Mayor-Council –Mayor is elected by the voters, but has no special executive powers - no power to veto, choose committee members, etc. –Strong Mayor-Council –Mayor is elected by voters in the city and can veto legislation passed by the city council. The mayor can also choose people to run the city’s services. –Council-Manager – The city has a City Manager (head of the Executive Branch). The City Manager decides who is in charge of city services and runs the city’s budget. The mayor is a member of the Legislative branch like the rest of the city council. –Figures 80-82, p.572-573

41. Special-Purpose Governments Special-Purpose Districts – Created by city and county governments to accomplish a specific task. The following are some examples. –Development Authorities – Create jobs and increase business in specific counties. –Downtown Development Authorities – Maintain and rebuild the downtowns of cities. –Recreation and Parks Authorities – Maintain and develop land for parks and recreation areas in counties. –Housing Authorities – Manage housing options in counties.

42. All governments require money. The money that governments bring in is called revenue. Ways that Revenue is generated: Taxes – Required payment to a government by a person or business. Taxes are the largest source of revenue for Georgia. 4 Main Types of Taxes: –Income Tax – Tax on money earned by people or businesses. –Corporate Tax – Flat rate taxes based on the money a company makes in Georgia. Collected only by states, not by local governments. –Sales Tax – Tax levied on most retail goods and services. Collected by state and local governments. –Property Tax – Tax placed on property such as land, homes, cars, boats, and business inventory. State Revenue

43. Other Revenue Sources and the State Budget There are other types of revenue raised from non-tax revenue sources. The largest non-tax revenue source for Georgia is the state lottery. The federal government can also give money to a state. –Grants, preserving historical sites, and improving areas with poor economies. The governor submits a budget (how state money will be spent) to the state legislature. The legislators can modify the budget. Then the governor signs it. At this time he can also veto items. The budget can be changed later.

44. Unit 8 – Judicial Branch in Georgia Lesson 6 – Juvenile Justice Study Presentation Georgia Studies

45. Lesson 6 – Juvenile Justice ESSENTIAL QUESTION –How are juveniles treated differently under Georgia’s judicial system?

47. Juvenile Justice Introduction, p.547 Juvenile – Any person, in the state of GA, under the age of 17. Unruly Behavior – Is considered a status offense when committed by children (would not be a crime if committed by an adult). Examples of unruly behavior: –Child refusing to go to school (Truancy). –Child habitually disobeys parents or caregivers. –Child runs away from home. –Underage possession of alcohol/tobacco. A child showing unruly behavior may be: –Sent to rehabilitation - if offense involves alcohol or drugs –May be committed to a place of detention ran by GA’s Department of Juvenile Justice.

48. Juvenile Justice Delinquent Behavior – When a child commits a crime it is considered delinquent behavior. A child who is less than 13 years old cannot be tried for a crime in GA. A child between 13 and 17 years old will be punished according to the law. This may include spending up to five years in a juvenile detention facility.

49. Juvenile Justice Process After a juvenile has been taken into custody, the process begins. 1 st - Probable Cause Hearing - a judge looks over the case to determine whether the children should be released or detained further. 2 nd - Adjudicatory Hearing - a judge decides whether the charges are true or not. 3 rd - Dispositional Hearing - at this hearing the judge decides the course of treatment that the delinquent, unruly, or deprived child should undergo. The judge may decide that probation if necessary. In some serious cases the judge may transfer the case to a superior court where the child will be tried as an adult.

50. Age/Nature of Offense0-1213-1415-161718+ Status offenseJJJJN/A Traffic offenseJJJAA Delinquent act which would not be a felony for adult JJJAA Delinquent act which would be felony for adult JJJ but can be transferred to A AA Delinquent act/crime which is (a) punishable by death or life imprisonment or (b) aggravated battery resulting in serious bodily injury to victim, but which is not a deadly sin JJ but can be transferred to A AA Deadly sinJAAAA Juvenile Justice System

51. The Seven Delinquent Behaviors Seven Delinquent Behaviors –Children between the ages of 13 and 17 who are thought to have committed any of these crimes will be tried as an adult: –Murder –Voluntary Manslaughter –Armed Robbery with a firearm –Rape –Aggravated Child Molestation

52. Student Responsibilities under School Law p. 551