1. Wait that’s not fair!!
I would like for you to think of a time where you were misjudged for something. You knew who really did a certain thing but you refused to tell anyone. How did it make you feel and does that make you less critical of others or more?

2. The ruling for today Breakdown the Judicial Branch
Look at the difference between civil law and criminal law
Start a court case . . .

3. The Judicial Branch
Goal is to interpret laws passed by the legislative branch
It also makes sure that the rights of the citizens of Georgia are protected
Has within it the supreme court and several lower courts that are used for different reasons and at different stages

4. Criminal law vs. Civil law
Criminal law is designed to protect people from wrong doers
Crimes are punishable by everything from community service to jail to death
Civil Law is created to handle disputes between individuals
Usually done by a wrong doing like failure to repay

5. The Lawful terms
Appeal: when the defendant maintains their innocence and has new evidence to bring forth
Felony: A serious crime punishable by death or jail time over a year
Misdemeanor: Offenses that are less severe then a felony and punishable by Fines, service or jail not in the pen.
Warrant: A document created to allow for the search of property for a court case

6. Court Chart
We will roll through some of the courts of the Judicial Branch on page 85 of your Interactive notebook
I want you to set up the chart horizontally and put the information in it the way I tell you to
Court
How Judges are selected
Number of courts
Jurisdiction
Responsibilities
State
Juvenile
Probate
Magistrate
Superior
Court of appeals
Supreme

7. State / Juvenile Courts
How they are selected: 4 year terms
# of courts: 70
Jurisdiction: limited - one county
Responsibilities: misdemeanors, civil cases, early criminal cases, search warrants
Juvenile
How they are selected: 4 year terms appointed by Superior court
# of courts: 159
Jurisdiction: limited - one county
Responsibilities: delinquent and unruly offences, minors seeking permission to marry or join military, Deprived children

8. Probate Magistrate Probate / Magistrate
How they are selected: 4 year terms
# of courts: 159
Jurisdiction: limited - one county
Responsibilities: Wills, marriage licenses, Firearms license, Traffic violations, Misdemeanors
Magistrate
How they are selected: either elected or appointed
# of courts: 159
Jurisdiction: limited - one county
Responsibilities: issues warrants, civil cases $15,000 or less, civil disputes, minor criminal cases

9. Superior / Court of Appeals
How they are selected: 4 year terms
# of courts: 49 circuits
Jurisdiction: Original
Responsibilities: Civil trials, criminal trials, felony trials, divorce cases, land titles
Appeals
How they are selected: 12 judges assigned to 4 panels for 6 year terms
# of courts: 4 divisions
Jurisdiction: Appellate court
Responsibilities: reviews civil and criminal cases previously heard by trial courts

10. GA Supreme Court
How they are selected: 6 judges and one chief justice elected to six year terms
# of courts: 1 court
Jurisdiction: Appellate court
Responsibilities: reviews civil and criminal cases made in the court of appeals and lower courts, handles death sentences, determines if laws are constitutional

11. Welcome to Yancey’s court
We will come up with a court case and go through the many levels of court
We will start with a small issue but eventually becomes a big one
Follow the step by step process to get through the justice system

12. KWLing
I want you to think about what you already know about the Christmas Carol in the many forms you have experienced