1. State Executive Branch 45
NC Governor Mike Easley
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State Legislative Branch
Image from General Assembly Opening Session
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State Judicial Branch
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The federal system of our government allows for separate National, State, and Local governments.
The State Executive Branch is led by the Governor who serves a 4 year term.
Judges in the NC State Courts are elected to their positions.
The General Assembly is the legislature of North Carolina.
One difficulty in the State Judicial system is the sheer number of cases in dispute.
The lowest level of the State court system is the district or county court level.
The State government spends billions of dollars in its budget every year.
The state government provides many services to its citizens.

2. County Government 46 City Government Local Expenditures
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City Government
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Local Expenditures
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A Mayor is the elected executive leader of a town or city while a manager is a hired professional executive.
Local Governments spend most of their revenue on services to citizens.
Local laws are called ordinances or blue laws---in some communities alcohol is not served on Sundays-
Schooling is the most expensive thing that local governments do.
Cities receive their powers through charters and offer even more services than county government to residents.
Many cities were once small places that grew larger through the process of annexation.
Often taken for granted, water purification is an essential service of many local gov’ts.
Fire Protection is one of many services offered by local governments.

3. Environmental Problems
Public Planning 47
Zoning Map of Cary, NC
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Social Problems
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Environmental Problems
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A major role of state and local government is the establishment of rules regarding permits and licenses to engage in certain activities.
In recent years, the environment and pollution have become major issues to citizens.
The planning or zoning boards of local communities help to plan future growth.
Some services such as water treatment, waste management, or sewers require long term commitments.
The building of new schools and educational testing have also become major news stories.
One of the best ways to improve your community is to participate in volunteer activities.
The placement of new landfills have often created heated local debates.

4. Source of Our Laws 48 Criminal Law Civil Law --- ---
United States Constitution
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Criminal Law
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Civil Law
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Prohibition tried to ban alcohol in the US but proved to be unenforceable and was later repealed.
Family Court is one type of Civil Law and deals with cases like divorce and adoption.
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The Magna Carta was a document signed by English King John in It gave the nobles certain rights that even the King could not violate.
King Hammurabi of ancient Babylonia tried to have all the laws written and placed in public for all to see.
The Declaration of Human Rights passed in 1948 is an example of International Law.
The Declaration of Independence stated the reason for government in America.

5. Right to an Attorney 49 Jury Trial Right to an Appeal
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Jury Trial
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Right to an Appeal
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The right to appeal one’s case is a fundamental right of fairness.
The use of the media to influence opinion about a trial disrupts the judicial process.
The right to have an attorney’s assistance in a trial is guaranteed by the 6th Amendment.
The 6th Amendment guarantees everyone the right to a trial.
Once a person has been acquitted by a jury, the protection from Double Jeopardy prevents the person from another trial.
The Right to remain silent protects one from being forced to testify against yourself.
In our legal system, even terrorists are given legal rights.
If accused of a crime, we have a right to hear all evidence against us.

6. Lawsuits 50 Crimes Against People Criminal Penalties
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Crimes Against People
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Criminal Penalties
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Murder is one of the most serious crimes and can be punished by death.
Property crimes are among the most common crimes.
A person has right to a jury trial of his peers who have not been influenced.
Civil Law involves a dispute between several people.
All types of crimes against people carry greater penalties than property crimes.
The extreme backlog of cases makes civil and criminal cases drag on for an extended time.
Another problem in our legal system is the amount of lawsuits being filed for sometimes trivial reasons.
Because of overcrowded prisons, many places use parole and plea bargaining to reduce the public burden.

7. Criminal Court Procedures 51
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Jury Trials
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Juvenile Court System
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The judicial system is adversarial---which means the prosecution and the defense are opponents and work to prove different points.
When juveniles are arrested they are processed and usually released to their parents.
The high profile of some defendants turn trials into media spectacles.
Juveniles have their own separate judicial system.
The cases of adults can be witnessed by the public and media, while the juvenile system is not public record.
A jury that can not make a unanimous decision is called a hung jury---A mistrial is the result.
The Jury system guaranteed by the 6th Amendment only applies to the adult system. Juveniles are handled in a more private setting by a judge.