Federalism and State & Local Government in North Carolina

reserved powers

a political power reserved by the Constitution to the exclusive jurisdiction of the states

concurrent powers

powers that both the federal government and state governments share (taxation, making and enforcing laws)

General Assembly

North Carolina's legislative body. Established by Article II of NC's Constitution

Governor

Chief executive of North Carolina's executive branch. Powers, qualifications, and limits established by Article III of NC's Constitution

Lieutenant Governor

Second in rank to the governor; also serves as the Constitutional head of North Carolina's Senate, but only votes in case of a tie

Council of State

a group of elected executive offices in North Carolina. It is separate from the North Carolina Cabinet, which is appointed by the Governor of North Carolina, and makes up the rest of the executive leadership of the government

NC Supreme Court

The state's highest appellate court

NC Court of Appeals

The court of appeals for the North Carolina court system. It is composed of fifteen members who sit in rotating panels of three. Judges serve eight-year terms and are elected in statewide non-partisan elections.

NC Superior Court

All felony criminal cases, civil cases involving more than $25,000 and misdemeanor and infraction appeals from District Court are tried in here. A jury of 12 hears the criminal cases. In the civil cases, juries are often waived. Superior Court is divided into eight divisions and 50 districts across the state.

NC District Court

Trial Courts that can be divided into four categories, civil, criminal, juvenile and magistrate. Civil cases such as divorce, custody, child support and cases involving less than $25,000 are heard here, along with criminal cases involving misdemeanors and infractions. The trial of a criminal case in District Court is always without a jury.

Declaration of Rights

Article I of the North Carolina's Constitution

municpality

a city or town that has legal status and a local government

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.

dual federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

incorporation doctrine

the process by which the Bill of Rights was extended to the states and localities

Due Process Clause 14th Amendment

No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.