Levels of Georgia Courts

State Court

-Trial Court

-Elected to four year terms, Countywide

-Reviews: Small crimes, civil cases, can issue search warrants

Juvenile Court

-Trial Court

-Appointed by superior judges, four year terms

-Reviews: Cases of children under 17 such as: Delinquent and unruly offenses, deprived and neglected, minors seeking permission to

marry or join military

Probate Court

-Trial Court

-Elected to four year terms, Countywide

-Reviews: Wills and estates, marriage & firearms licenses, appointment of legal guardians, game, fish, and traffic law violations

Magistrate Court

-Trial Court

-Can be elected or appointed

-Reviews: Minor criminal cases, civil cases($15,000 or less) , civil disputes, search and arrest warrants, issues warrants

Superior Court

-Trial Court

-Elected to four year terms, Circuit-Wide

-Reviews: Civil trials, criminal trials, felony trials, divorce cases, & land titles

Court of Appeals

-Appellate Courts

-12 judges assigned to 4 panels, elected to

six year terms, State wide

-Reviews: Civil and criminal cases previously heard by trial courts

Supreme Court

-Appellate

-6 Justices and 1 Chief Justice, elected to 6 year terms, State wide

-Reviews: decisions made in cases by trial court

or Court of Appeals, determines if laws are

constitutional, challenges to elections, upholds or removes death sentences