GCU - The Judicial Branch in Georgia’s Government (Lesson)

The Judicial Branch in Georgia’s Government

Introduction

The Judicial Branch in Georgia’s Government Icon Article VI of the Georgia State Constitution outlines the following classes of courts: magistrate, probate, juvenile, state, superior, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court. Jurisdiction in theses courts begins with simple traffic or ordinance violations and progresses all the way through to complex civil and criminal appeals.

 

Georgia's Court System

Georgia’s Court System has two levels: appellate courts and trial courts.

 

Appellate Courts – handle appeals from lower courts.

  1. Supreme Court of Georgia – highest court in the state; has seven members, six Justices and a Chief Justice; no jury.
  2. Court of Appeals – twelve judges working in three man panels to hear appeals; no jury.

Trial Courts – lower courts with the original right, power, or authority to interpret and apply the law.

  1. Superior Courts – can hear almost any civil or criminal case; consists of a judge and a jury.
  2. State Courts – hold jurisdiction over misdemeanor violations and civil cases; consists of judge and jury.
  3. Juvenile Courts – jurisdiction over delinquent children under 17 years and deprived children under 18; no jury.
  4. Probate Courts – handle administrative matters such as wills.
  5. Magistrate Courts – handles small civil claims, bad checks, arrest warrants; no jury.

 

How are Judges Selected in Georgia?

  • Most judges in Georgia are elected by Georgian citizens.
  • Magistrate court judges may be elected or appointed by local legislatures; juvenile court judges are appointed by superior court judges.

 

Two Types of Laws: Criminal and Civil

  • Criminal law deals with actions that harm people or society (e.g., DUI, murder, armed robbery). Criminal cases are introduced by the government seeking punishment (fine, imprisonment, or death)
  • Civil law deals with private disputes (e.g., divorce, property ownership, contracts, personal injuries).
  • Civil cases are introduced by private parties seeking monetary damages.

 

Review

Review what you've learned by completing the activity below.

 

 

Think About This

 

 

The Georgia Court system divides power between appellate and trial courts. The appellate court system is modeled after the judicial branch of the United States Government and the Supreme Court. The trial courts divides up the caseload based on the crime or needs of the situation. Overall, the court system protects and serves the citizens of Georgia. 

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