1. Georgia’s Judicial System

2. First … a quick review What is a misdemeanor?
Less serious crime, punishment is < 1 year in prison, < $1,000 fine, or both
Examples: shoplifting (depending upon amount stolen), vandalism, trespassing

3. What is a felony?
Serious crime, > 1 year in prison, > $1,000 fine or both
Examples – murder, burglary, assault, arson

4. Jurisdiction – what is it?
The cases over which a court has control.

5. Municipal Courts
Also known as special courts, these courts deal with municipal, or local, issues.
They may do the following:
Handle ordinance violations, such as curfew violations, cruelty to animals, truancy, assault and battery
Issue criminal warrants
Conduct preliminary hearings
Try cases involving drug possession in small quantities

6. Probate Courts 159 courts (1 for each county in Georgia)
Judges in these courts are elected for 4 year terms
These courts perform the following functions:
Wills and estates after death
Issue marriage licenses
Issue firearms licenses
Have jury trials in large counties only

7. Probate Court

8. Magistrate Courts 159 courts (1 for each county in Georgia)
Some of these judges are appointed by county legislators, some are elected for 4 year terms
These courts perform the following:
Issue arrest warrants
Issue search warrants
Try civil cases (less than $15,000) – no jury trials

9. Magistrate Court – Cobb County

10. Juvenile Courts 159 courts (1 for each county in Georgia)
Judges in these courts are appointed by Superior Court judges for 4 year terms
This court handles the following:
Cases for children 18 years old and younger who are deprived or neglected
Cases for children 17 years old and younger with unruly or delinquent behavior
No jury trials

11. Juvenile Court

12. State Courts 71 courts in Georgia (not every county has one)
Judges are elected for 4 year terms
These courts handle the following:
Misdemeanors
Civil cases
Traffic violations
This court does conduct jury trials

13. State Courtrooms

14. Superior Courts
49 circuit courts (circuit may be several counties combined)
Judges are elected for 4 year terms
This court handles the following:
Civil issues
Misdemeanor cases
Felony cases including violent crimes committed by juveniles
Conduct jury trials

15. Superior Courts Exclusive jurisdiction over:
Felony cases
Divorce
Civil cases involving land
Writs of habeas corpus
Also hear appeals (when someone is unhappy with the verdict from a lower court) from state courts, juvenile courts, probate courts, and magistrate courts.

16. Court of Appeals 4 courts – 12 judges in total
Judges are elected for 6 year terms
Hears appeals from lower courts

17. Georgia Supreme Court One court – 7 justices total
Judges are elected to 6 year terms
This is Georgia’s highest court
Primary job is to interpret the Georgia Constitution, final appellate court
Deals frequently with death penalty and fair election cases
Appeals from the Court of Appeals
Decisions from this court are binding and have the effect of making law

18. Georgia Supreme Court Justices
Let there be justice, though the heavens may fall.

19. Georgia Supreme Court building
Atlanta, GA