1. State government notes
Mr. Rockwell
8th Grade Georgia Studies

3. 1. Georgia’s state government
Georgia’s state government has 3 branches: Executive branch= enforces laws Legislative branch= enacts laws Judicial branch= interprets laws

5. 2. Governor
Governor Deal and Mr. Rockwell
The governor is the chief executive officer of the state. Nathan deal is Georgia’s current governor.

6. 3. Election of a Governor
The governor is elected by a majority of the popular vote for a four year term.

7. 4. Serving as governor
Governors can serve 2 consecutive terms for a total of 8 years. It is possible for a governor to serve a 3rd term, but to serve a 3rd term, they must wait 4 years before being able to run again.

8. 5. How to be a candidate for governor
A candidate who wishes to become governor must:
Be At least 30 years of age
Be A citizen of the united states for at least 15 years
Be a resident of the state for at least 6 years

9. 6. Powers of the Governor
Some formal powers of the governor include: managing the states budget, preparing budget bills for consideration by the Georgia house of representatives, and making an annual “State of the state” address to the general assembly.

10. 7. Next in Line
If the governor dies or resigns, the lieutenant governor would then become the governor

11. 8. Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor must meet the same requirements for office as the governor. However, unlike the governor, the lieutenant governor (Casey Cagle) can serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms.

13. 9. Role of lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor is the presiding officer of the state senate. In other words, he or she makes sure the senate is being productive.

14. 10. Other elected members of Georgia’s executive branch
In addition to the governor and lieutenant governor, other elected members of Georgia’s executive branch include:
State attorney general
Commissioner of agriculture
Secretary of state
State school superintendent
All of these officials serve 4 year terms of office.

15. 11. More information about Georgia’s Government
If the governor and the lieutenant governor die or resign, the speaker of the house of representatives takes. Over.
Georgia’s legislature is officially known as the Georgia Assembly.
The Georgia assembly is made up of the senate and the house of representatives.
There are 180 members of the house of representatives and 56 members of the State senate.

16. 12. More information about Georgia’s Government
Members of the legislature are elected by popular vote to two year terms. There is no limit on the number of terms a representative or senator can serve.
At the time of their election, members of the senate are required to be at least 25 years old, citizens of the United states, and citizens of Georgia for at least 2 years.
Members of the house of representatives must be at least 21 years of age, citizens of the united states and citizens of Georgia for at least 2 years.

17. 13. More information about Georgia’s Government
The Georgia general assembly meets each year for a 40 day session.
The legislative branch is organized into various committees. The purpose of these committees is to review bills in detail and to decide which should come before the “floor” for discussion.

18. 14. Bill  Law
In order for a bill to become a law, a bill must pass both houses of legislature with a majority vote and then must be sent to the governor for approval.

19. 15. Judicial Branch
The judicial branch of government consists of the state’s courts.
Their role is to interpret the state constitution and protect the legal rights of citizens.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court

20. The Georgia Court System
16. Georgia’s Judicial Branch – Interprets laws
The Georgia Court System
Supreme Court
7 Justices
Court of Appeals
12 Judges ( 4 Divisions)
Superior Court
49 Circuits
Probate Court
159 Courts
Municipal Court
370 Courts
Magistrate Court
159 Courts
Juvenile Court
159 Courts
State Court
72 Courts

21. 17. Georgia’s Supreme Court
The Georgia supreme court has 7 justices who are elected to six year terms.

22. 18. The Court’s Job
The court’s also protect citizens from each other by handling:
civil cases: disputes between 2 or more persons or groups
criminal cases: cases involving violations of the law

24. Crimes are divided into felonies and misdemeanors.

25. 19. The Division of Crimes – Felonies
A felony is a serious crime, such as a murder or burglary, punishable by:
a year or more in prison
a fine of at least $1,000 or both

26. 20. The Division of Crimes – Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor is a less serious crime, that is punishable by:
Less than a year in prison
A fine of $1,000 or less

27. 21. Examples of Misdemeanors
Some types of misdemeanors include:
A minor in possession of alcohol
Traffic offenses
Assault and battery
Trespassing
Shoplifting
Resisting arrest
Disorderly conduct
Prostitution
Noise violations
Ticket scalping
Open alcohol container

29. Some types of felonies include:
22. Examples of Felonies
Some types of felonies include:
Terroristic threats
Arson
Robbery
Driving while intoxicated
Fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle
Motor vehicle theft
Rape
Weapons violations
Counterfeiting money

30. 23. Due Process Due process of the law allows citizens the right to:
a speedy public trial
the right to have a lawyer present during questioning
the right to remain silent.

31. 24. Grand Jury
A grand jury in Georgia decides whether or not a person accused of a crime should be charged and stand trial for that crime.

32. The largest source of Georgia’s revenue comes from income taxes.

33. 26. Superior Court
Juveniles who commit specific serious and violent crimes would be placed in the jurisdiction of the superior court.

34. 27. Juveniles-First step
The first step when a juvenile is taken into custody is an intake investigation.

35. 28. Facts about GA Government
There are 159 counties
Every working citizen must pay taxes
Must be 18 to vote
A juvenile is a person under the age of 17

36. 29. Georgia’s 7 deadly sins
Georgia’s 7 deadly sins are crimes committed by juveniles that result in the courts treating the juveniles as an adult.

37. 30. Four steps in the juvenile justice process
Intake
Detention
Formal hearing
Sentencing

38. 31. Delinquent Act
A delinquent act is an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. ex: Burglary and car theft

39. 32. Status Offense
A status offense refers to an act that would not be considered a crime if committed by an adult. Ex: running away from home or skipping school

40. 33. US Constitution
The US Constitution gives each citizen freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to bear arms, and the right to a speedy and fair trial.

41. 34. A Bill to a Law
In order for a bill to become a law in Georgia, it must be introduced by a legislator, receive a majority vote in both houses and finally signed by the governor.

42. 35. Passing a bill
If the General Assembly passes a bill and the governor does not veto it, but also does not sign it, after 40 days the bill becomes a law.

43. 36. Juveniles
Juveniles in Georgia are guaranteed the right to an attorney, a fair trial, and the right from self-incrimination.

44. 37. Georgia’s First Constitution
Georgia’s first state constitution was ratified (passed) in The constitution has 11 articles.