Judicial Branch Responsible for interpreting the laws of the state and making decisions or judgments on those interpretations.

Trial Courts There are two main types of Courts 1.Trial Measures people’s intentions and actions against the laws Measures people’s intentions and actions against the laws Decisions are rendered by either a jury or by a judge Decisions are rendered by either a jury or by a judge Jury decisions are rendered in Superior Court, State Court, and Probate Court Jury decisions are rendered in Superior Court, State Court, and Probate Court

Superior Courts 49 Circuit Courts Handle civil cases and misdemeanor and felony criminal cases, including serious violent felonies by juveniles Judges must be at least 30 years old, an attorney for 7 years and Georgia resident for 3 years Chosen at circuit level in nonpartisan election Judges serve four-year terms

State Courts 71 County level courts Handle misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases and traffic violations Judges must be 25 years old, an attorney for 7 years and a Georgia resident for 3 years They are elected in nonpartisan election in county Serve a 4-year term

Probate Court 159 County Courts Handle wills, inheritance, marriage and firearm licenses Judges must be high school graduates (if county has more than 96,000 people-must be an attorney for 7 years), 25 years old and lived in the county they are elected at least 2 years

Magistrate Court Judge rendered decisions 159 county courts Issue arrest warrants and search warrants Judge hears small civil cases (less than $2500 in damages) Chief Magistrate is chosen by people in county level, non-partisan elections Magistrates-high school graduates, at least 25 years old, 1 year residence in county

Juvenile Court 159 county courts Judges all children 18 and younger who are determined to deprived and neglected Judges unruly and delinquent behaviors of children 17 and younger 120 judges and associate judges, 30 years of age, attorney for 5 years and 3-year Georgia resident Appointed by judges in superior courts for 4-year term

2. Appellate Courts Look over decisions made by trial court Decide if errors were made by trial court Make sure trial court decisions do not go against Georgia Constitution There are two appellate courts in Georgia

Georgia Court of Appeals 12 judges chosen at state level in nonpartisan elections Serve 6 year terms Elections are held every two years Judges choose one of group to be chief judge

Georgia Supreme Court 7 judges (called justices) are chosen at state level in nonpartisan elections Must have been a lawyer for at least 7 years; serve 6 year terms; elections are held every two years Justices choose one of the group to be chief Justice