3. Supreme Court 1 court  Highest ranking court  7 justices, elected to 6-year terms  hears appeals from lower courts  no witnesses or juries  interprets the state constitution  reviews cases involving the constitutionality of laws, title to land, equity, wills, habeas corpus, divorce, and alimony  automatically reviews all death penalty cases  outlines a code of judicial conduct for state judges, and regulates the admission of attorneys to practice law in GA  final authority in matters of law at the state level

4. Court of Appeals - 2 courts  second highest- ranking  12 judges elected to 6-year terms.  appellate court: It only hears cases appealed from lower-ranking courts

6. Superior Courts 1 court  Rule on trials in felony cases  hears appeals from lower courts  Judges are elected to 4 year terms  Judicial circuits are simply divisions within the state over which different superior courts preside.

7. State Courts – 2 courts  Jurisdiction (area of legal control or influence) over all misdemeanor violations and civil actions which occur in counties where the superior court and/or city court do not have exclusive jurisdiction.  Judges are elected to four year terms in a countywide election.

8. Juvenile Courts – 3 courts  Hear cases involving juveniles (those 17 and under)  crimes committed by juvenile delinquent  involving deprived juvenile  unruly children (acts not considered criminal if committed by an adult)  Judges are appointed (not elected) by the superior court of the circuit

9. Probate Courts – 4 courts  Rule on issues involving wills and estates after people die.  elected to serve four-year terms

10. Magistrate Court – 5 courts  Civil claims of $15,000 or less;  minor criminal offenses;  county ordinance violations,  bad check;  preliminary hearings,  arrest and search warrants.  Most chief magistrates are elected, to 4-year terms.

11. Municipal (City and Special) Courts – 6 courts  City courts try violations of city ordinances,  special courts may address only specific issues (juvenile and magistrate)  Qualifications and length of terms for city judges are set by local legislation