Unit 15 Study Guide 1-15 GA Studies

What is the largest branch of our state government?

The executive branch

What are the 2 major responsibilities of the executive branch?

Enforcing Georgias laws and for the day to day activities of the state.

Who is the cheif executive office of the state?

The govener

Who elects the govener?

Georgias citizens

What are the requirements to run for govener?

Atleast 30 years old

15 years US citizen

6 years GA resident

How long is the goveners term in office?

4 years

What is maximum number of terms govener can hold?

2 Terms

Where does the govener get his formal powers?

In the states constituiton.

Where does the governor get his informal powers?

Are a result of tradition and customs.

Who elects the Lt. Governor?

By the citizens

What are the requirements to run for Lt. Governor?

30 or older

15 years US citizen

6 years GA resident

How long is Lt. Governors term in office?

4 years

What is the maximum number of terms a Lt Governor can have?

No maximum

Who becomes governor if the governer dies or is impeached?

The LT Governor

What is a important role of the LT Governor?

President of senate, only officer who serves in 2 branches of gov.

What is Attorney Generals role?

State lawyer

What is Secretary of states role?

maintains official paperwork and is incharge of state elections

What does Commisoner of agriculture do?

overseees and regulates states agriculture.

What does Comissioner of Labor do?

Works to protect safety and health of workers

What does Commisioner of insurance do?

regulates insurance businesses and protects consumers

What does State school superintendent do?

Heads the Department of
Education; this department has the
largest budget of all state agencies

How long is the other elected officals terms in office?

4 years

What is the maximum number of terms?

None

What is the law-making branch of
government?

Legislative Branch

Laws can be passed on any matter as long as
they are not denied by what?

The constituition

Define: bill

A proposed law

Who can suggest a bill?

Anyone can suggest a bill.

Who can propose a bill?

A senator or Representative can propose a bill.

What is thje name of GAS Legislative branch?

Georgia General Assembly.

Define: bicameral

two chambers or houses

What are the 2 houses in GAS Legislative branch?

Senate and House of rep.

How are the members of each branch chosen?

The popular vote of the people.

How long is their term?

2 years.

What is maximum number of terms?

no max on terms

What is the requirements to be on GA house of reps?

Us ciizenship

2 years ga citizen

legal resident in their county for atleast one year

REPS must be 21 or older.

What are the requirements for running for senate?

US citizens

GA citizen for 2 years

legal resident in their reigon for atleast 1 year

Representatives of senate must be 25 or older

What is the purpose of a comitee?

To study a bill before it is sent to the house of rep or senates floors for debating and voting,

How does a bill become a law?

…

What does the judicial branch consist of?

consists to the system of georgias courts.

Define: Jurisdiction

range of
action over which court
can rule and the types of
cases it hears

Define: appalate court

loook over judgements made by trial courts and decide if they have made a mistake or not.

Name 2 GA apellate courts:

Georgia Supreme Court

Court of appeals

What does the appelate court decide?

if trial court has made a mistake or not

Define: Trial Court

first case before the facts of a case are decided

Name each of the 6 types of courts in Georgia
and explain how judges are selected for each
court.

Superior Court-elected to 4-year
terms (circuit wide elections)
 State Courts- elected to 4-year
terms (county elections)
 Probate Courts-elected to 4-year
terms (county elections)
 Magistrate Courts- can be elected
or appointed to 4-year terms
 Municipal Courts-can be elected or
appointed
 Juvenile Courts- appointed by
Superior Court judge to 4-year
terms

How do courts protect citizens?

from each other- by handling civil
cases and criminal cases

from the government – by handling
cases where people feel that their
constitutional rights have been
violated

Define: Due Process

are the steps the
government must take to legally find
someone guilty of a crime

What are civil cases?

Cases that relate to the relation with between and among individuals,

Give examples of civil cases?

divorce, child customdy, property rights

What are criminal cases?

cases involving violations of the law or crimes

Define: felony

a serious crime
such as murder or
burglary that is
punishable by a year or
more in prison, a fine of
at least $1,000, or both.

Define: Misdemenar

a less
serious crime, such as
small theft, punishable
by less than a year in
prison, a fine of less than
$1,000, or both

8 Pretrial steps in adult criminal justice system:

Arrest → Booking → Initial apperance → Preliminary hearing → Grand jury indicament → Arraingment → Assignment b4 Superior court → Admitting guilt/plea bargain

7 Steps of adult criminal TRIAL process

Selecting jury → Opening statements → Presentation of evidence → Closing Statements → Jury dilerberation and verdict → Sentencing → Appeal

Define: Separation of powers

is the division
of powers among the three branches
of government

What does separation of powers create?

A limited environment.

Define: Checks and Balances

Each branch of government was
given some way to check or
prevent some actions of the
other two branches. This
process is known as a system of
checks and balances.

What do checks and balances ensure?

That no one branch of the government becomes too powerful.

What does it mean to say a Juvenile has special status?

They must follow all laws that apply to adults and some that do not.

Define delinquent act/delinquent juvenile

give examples

an act committed by a minor under 17 that if an adult were to commit would be a crime under state, federal, local government

Ex. drugs posesion/selling , theft, rape

Define: Status offense/ unruly juvenile

W/ examples

An offense that would NOT be considered a crime if an adult were to perform the same act.

Ex. running away from home, skipping school, smoking/drinking

What right does a juvenile have that an adult does NOT have (the most important right juveniles have)?

Right to have parent/guardian at all hearings.

Who makes the rulings in a juvenile case?

The/A judge.

What is the right juveniles do have NOT have that adults do?

Right to trial by jury.

What are some of the consequences a juveline can be given if found guilty of a crime.

released into guardians custoday, placed on probahation, pay fines, counciling, community serverce.

placed into youth juvenile detentioncenter for 90 days.

As a juvenile what are your responsibilities?

To follow the law, attend school, and respect authority.

List the steps of the juvenile justice process (refer to the work from class).

1. Arrest 2. Intake 3. Detention 4. Adjudication 5. Disposition 6. Aftercare

What are counties?

Counties are administrative divisions of a state that provide local government services.

How many counties does Georgia have?

159 counties

What gives a county its power?

The state constitution and state laws give counties their powers.

What are some of those powers?

To levy taxes, maintain roads, and provide public services.

What government body is in charge of most counties in Georgia?

The Board of Commissioners

How do the people in this government body get their jobs?

They are elected by the residents of the county.

Define: municipality.

A municipality is a city or town that has its own local government.

What are the three most common forms of city governments?

1. Mayor-Council 2. Commission 3. Council-Manager

Define: special purpose governments.

Special purpose governments are created for specific functions or services, such as education or transportation.

Who governs them?

A board or commission typically governs special purpose governments.

What do all special purpose governments have in common?

They are created to serve a specific purpose or function.

Give examples of special purpose governments.

School districts, transit authorities, and housing authorities.