Foundations of Georgia's Government

Georgia Constitution

The governing document that establishes the framework, powers and limits of Georgia’s state government

Separation of Powers

A constitutional design that divides the responsibilities of government into three distinct, independent branches

Checks and Balances

A constitutional principle that gives each branch of government the power to limit, block, or review the actions of the other branches

Georgia General Assembly

Operating as the lawmaking branch of the state government.

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body made up of two distinct chambers or houses. This dual-chamber framework is designed to distribute political power, balance competing interests, and enforce deliberate reflection during the legislative process

Legislative Committees

Specialized subgroups of lawmakers within a legislative branch that handle the heavy lifting of government work

How a Bill Becomes a Law

The Bill must pass both houses of Congress and receive presidential approval to become a law

Governor’s Powers and Responsibilities

A state Governor served as the chief executive, head of state, and commander-in-chief

Governor and Lieutenant Governor Qualifications

Age: Must be at least 30 years old

U.S. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years

State Residency: Must be a legal resident of Georgia for at least 6 years

Executive Agencies

The executive branch enforces state laws and administers daily operations. It is headed by dozens of specialized state departments, boards, and authorities

Georgia’s Court System

Structured into a clear hierarchy consisting of two appellate-level courts and seven classes of trial-level courts. The system divides labor between courts of general jurisdiction

Selection of Georgia Judges

Georgia Supreme Court - Georgia Court of Appeals - Georgia Superior Courts - Georgia Probate Courts - Georgia State Courts

Interpreting the Law

The process of analyzing legal norms to understand their explicit meanings and underlying values

Administering Justice

The process by which the legal system of a government is executed

Civil Law vs. Criminal Law

Civil Law - Pertains to persons, things, and relationships that develop among them, excluding not only criminal law but also commercial law

Criminal Law - A system of laws concerned with crimes and the punishment of individuals who commit crimes