1. Understanding our State Government

2. History of the North Carolina Constitution: 3 Constitutions (1776, 1868, 1971) Why did NC replace its Constitution in 1971? Language was updated and Segregation was outlawed after Swann v. CMS

3. Similar Principles NC Constitutional Principles Popular Sovereignty Government gets its power from the people Limited Government The gov’ts power is restricted by the NC Constitution and the people

4. What is this similar to? We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.

5. Federalism

6. Qualifications Beverly Perdue Governor/Lieutenan t Governor Age: 30 years old Residency: Citizen 5 yrs. and Resident of NC for 2 years Length of Term: 4 yrs. Term Limit: 2 terms North Carolina’s Executive Branch found in Article III

7. Two Candidates running for Governor

8. Lt. Governor Dan Forest Linda Coleman

10. Qualifications for State Officials House of Representatives (120 members) Age: 21 years old Residency: Citizen and Resident of NC for 1 year Length of Term: 2 yrs. Term Limit: None

11. Qualifications for State Officials: Senate Senate (50 members) Age: Must be at least 25 years old Residency: Citizen and Resident of NC for 2 years Length of Term: 2 yrs. Term Limit: Can serve an unlimited amount of terms as long as you are reelected by the people.

12. Bicameral State Level (N.C.) The General Assembly Senate 50 Senators HOR 120 Representatives Make the laws, just like the federal legislative branch.

13. Click to view NC General Assembly http://www.ncleg.net/

14. Judicial Branch District Courts- Lowest level Hear Majority of cases No Jury Hear all types of cases Civil Case: disputes involving less then $10,000 Minor Crimes: misdemeanors Major Crimes: felonies (initial) Ex. Traffic court Superior Courts- Second lowest level Hears civil cases over $10,000 Felonies any case that is requested over 300,000 cases a year The State has 8 districts

15. Judicial Branch Elected officials Judges County Clerk for courts Appointed Magistrate

16. Judicial Branch Appellate Courts NC Court of Appeals 14 Judges elected NC Supreme Court Final Level Interoperates state constitution Landmark Cases State v. Mann 1830 Leandro Case

17. Copy the Chart on Page 395

18. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0H Tb4fD95s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVay 9RP_sqY Walter Dalton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeIg bJI_mIk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW- 9p3Wf18M&feature=relmfu Pat McCrory Based upon the Political Advertisement s who would you all endorse for governor? With a partner take five minutes to discuss your opinions. Then we will share with the class why you would vote for the candidate of your choice.

19. Activities Using the North Carolina Constitution, find five constitutional protections. Predict how life would be different without these protections. Compare and Contrast the principles in the preamble to the N.C. Constitution with the preamble of the U.S. Constitution. Discuss why the similarities and differences exists. Graphic organizer Venn Diagram

20. North Carolina Judicial System

21. Our Levels of Courts NC Supreme Court Court of Appeals Superior Court District (County) Court

22. District Courts There are 39 The judge hears the case and makes ruling, no jury. Misdemeanors ($10,000 or less) Civil Cases Judges are elected every 4 years.

23. Superior Courts Handle civil cases involving more than $10,000. More serious crimes Trial by Jury or Jury trials Deal with About 300,000 cases per year. 8 Superior Courts Elected every 8 years Superior Court is divided into eight divisions and 46 districts across the state. Every six months, Superior Court judges rotate among the districts within their division. The rotation system helps avoid favoritism that might result from having a permanent judge in one district.

24. More on Superior Courts The Governor also appoints about 15 special superior court judges who serve as needed. Todd Burke youngest judge appointed to Superior Court by Jim Hunt 1995

25. http://www.nccourts.o rg/courts/appellate/ap peal/biographies/Judg es.asp Judge Biographies http://www.nccourts.o rg/courts/appellate/ap peal/biographies/Judg es.asp 2000 cases every year Hears appeals from the District and Superior Courts 15 Judges, they hear cases in groups of three. Elected every eight years Court of Appeals

26. What do they do? Judges Interprets the State Constitution The Supreme Court of North Carolina is the state's highest court, and there is no further appeal in the state from their decisions. This court has a chief justice and six associate justices who sit together as a panel in Raleigh. The Supreme Court has no jury, and it makes no determination of fact; rather, it considers error in legal procedures or in judicial interpretation of the law. There are 7 in all One is the chief Justice North Carolina Supreme Court