1. Chapter 12, 13, &14 Louisiana State Government

2. Foundations for Louisiana State Government 1812 Louisiana becomes a state & forms it’s own constitution Basis of Louisiana Constitution: 1.Napoleonic Code= codes of written laws based on French Law 2. French Civil Law= laws based on legal code rather than court decisions

3. State Executive Branch: Governor (Bobby Jindal/ Republican) Qualifications: –American citizen –30 years old –Resident of state for 5 years State voters elect governor directly by a majority vote. 2 consecutive, 4 year term limit – can be impeached or replaced by a recall election Has the same role as the president, but can only preside over the state

4. State Executive Branch: Lieutenant Governor (Jay Dardenne ) Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms runs on separate ticket than the governor 2 nd in command In charge of public relations –tourism, recreation, & culture

5. State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet) Advise governor on area of responsibility –Appointed by governor Departments: –Departments of Agriculture –Departments of Labor –Departments of/ Board of Health –Departments of Public Works & Highways –State Welfare Board

6. State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet) Secretary of State ( Tom Schedler) Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms Maintains state records, official documents, & state seal Maintains state & federal elections

7. State Executive Branch:Executive Departments (Cabinet) Secretary of Treasury John Kennedy Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms Maintains state spending & receiving of state funds & federal revenue Assistant is Auditor Steve Theriot

8. State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet) Attorney General ( Buddy Caldwell) Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms States lawyer Fights cases/ lawsuits & brings lawsuits on behalf of the state Head of Department of Justice

9. State Legislative Branch: Legislators/ Congress Qualifications: –American citizen for 1 year –Live in district & state represent for 1 year –Age: 25 Terms: –4 year terms –3 term limits Follow the same process to turn a bill into a law, but allows – line-item vetos = governor can veto a certain area of a bill – veto sessions= after regular session to revise vetoed bills

10. State Laws Marriage age 18 & marry within 73 hours of gaining document Divorce must separate 180 days before filing & alimony can be no more than 1/3 of income Community Property= equal division of property obtained during marriage Civil Services= protects public employees for actions based on political opinion & affiliation

11. State Judicial Branch Types of Courts: –Justice Courts = which is lead by the justice of the peace & handles misdemeanors (marriage/ divorce/ disturbing the peace) –Magistrate Courts/ Municipal Courts =which handle minor cases, traffic violations, & lawsuits less than $1,000.00 –District Courts= handle felony cases through trial set-ups with juries & judges St.Tammany Parish Court House in Covington Judges elected every 4 years, unlimited terms –Appellate Court = review & decide on previous cases by a panel of judges New Orleans District Courthouse 3-5 judges elected every 4 years, unlimited terms –State Supreme Court= review appeals court decisions, supervises all state courts, & interprets state constitutions by a panel of judges Baton Rouge & New Orleans Supreme Court 10 justices elected every 10 years, unlimited term limits

12. Type of Cases: Civil Law Courts provide a place to resolve differences between 2 people/ groups Civil Court Types: –Small Claims Court –Large Claim Courts Outcomes –Drop case, settle (most common)/ mediation, trials or arbitration = someone decides for them & decision is final.

13. Civil Cases Lawsuits: –Property disputes –Breach of contract –Negligence –Family matters (divorce) –personal injury –Suits of Equity Judge usually has an injunction when agreeing with plaintiffs, to prevent damage

14. Type of Cases: Criminal Law All crimes follow the penal code Criminal Groups: –Felonies Prison 1 year & more to death Classify who/ what was harmed when crime was committed. –Misdemeanors Fine/ 1 year or less in prison Outcome: Trials or Plea Bargain (most Common)

15. Types of Cases: Juvenile Courts Cases: –Neglect Cases Power to place kids with foster families, where they will be protected & cared for. (Wards of the State) –Delinquency Cases Juvenile courts handle offenses that are considered illegal for juveniles & not for adults. –Running away, skipping schools, & violating curfew.

16. Rules for Juvenile Arrest –Parents must be notified, when child arrested. –Child & parent must be notified in writing of all charges. –Child has right to remain silent & have an attorney. –Child has the right to confront witness against them.

17. Juvenile Courts Rules for Trials –Only parties involved can attend – no juries only judge. –keep kid identity –kid records are not publicized & sealed when kid is 18 – photos & fingerprints are not taken.

18. Juvenile Courts forms of Punishments –Send home with lecture –send to training school –Send to prison –Send to teen shelters –Send to treatment centers for addiction –Send to hospitals for mental/ emotional problems –Probations kid must attend school & obey parents If do, charges dropped