1. Georgia State Judicial Branch
SS8CG4: The student will analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government.

2. Georgia’s Judicial Branch
Made up of state’s courts
Purpose:
interpret state constitution
apply laws to court cases
protect legal rights of citizens
Due Process of Law: parts of the Constitution that make sure everyone is protected from abuse by the government.
Examples of Due Process include:
Right to a fair and public trial
Right to be at the trial
Right to an unbiased jury
Right to speak in your defense

3. Georgia’s Judicial Branch
Supreme Court is state’s highest court.
Supreme Court judges are called Justices. State justices are elected to six-year terms.
The Chief Justice (leader) is chosen by the other justices.
Appellate Court (Court of Appeals) reviews cases (no witnesses and no juries). It is the 2nd highest court in the state.
Trial Courts hear criminal and civil cases

4. Laws are divided into two categories: Criminal & Civil Laws
Criminal Law: protects society from individuals
Crime: a serious offense, where a prosecutor (lawyer for GA) will start legal action against the person who is accused of a crime
The accused or defendant will be tried in criminal court.

5. Laws are divided into two categories: Criminal & Civil Laws
Civil Law: deals with the relationship between individuals (reality TV court shows)
Tort: an injury or wrong done to a person. The person sues for money (called damages) in a civil court.
Plaintiff: Person who sues
Defendant: Person who is being sued

6. Georgia’s Judicial Branch
A felony is a serious crime.
It is punishable by a prison sentence of more than 1 year (arson, kidnapping, robbery, rape, burglary, selling drugs, & car theft).
A capital felony is punishable by death (murder).
A misdemeanor has a less severe punishment of jail or fine (shoplifting, cruelty to animals, and assault & battery with minor injuries).

7. Juvenile Court System
SS8CG6: The student will explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders.

8. Juvenile Court System Juvenile: citizen under the age of 17.
Common crimes are:
1. truancy(not going to school)
2. Drugs
3. drinking alcohol
4. loitering (hanging around a public place without permission)
5. violating curfews
6. running away from home

9. Juvenile Court System Every county has a juvenile court. Purposes:
help and protect children
provide care for children removed from homes
Delinquent Act: act that would be a crime if committed by an adult (example: burglary)
Status Offense (Unruly juvenile): act that would not be a crime if committed by an adult (example: smoking)

10. Steps in Juvenile Justice Process
Juvenile “taken into custody” (arrested)
Intake: intake officer evaluates case
Detain or release (to parents)
Detained juveniles sent to YDC (youth detention center)
5. Probable cause hearing before a judge (Judge Peggy Walker for Douglas County) 6. Dismissal, informal adjustment, or formal hearing 7. Sentencing/ Consequences

11. Georgia’s Seven Deadly Sins Act
In 1994, the General Assembly made a law about violent youth crime.
Juveniles charged with crimes such as: 1) murder, 2) voluntary manslaughter, 3) rape, 4) sodomy, 5) child molestation, 6) sexual battery, & 7) armed robbery with a firearm could be treated as adults by the courts.
Superior courts handle these cases, not juvenile courts.
Mandatory 10-year sentences were a part of the new law.

12. Rights of Juveniles
Juveniles have the right to a fair and speedy trial.
There are no juries in juvenile cases.
Parents or guardians may be present at hearings.
An attorney must be provided if child’s parents cannot afford one.