1. Branches of Georgia’s Govern-ment
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
Branches of Georgia’s Govern-ment

2. Georgia’s government consists of 3 branches. Legislative Executive
Judicial

3. Legislative Branch
Georgia’s Legislative Branch is responsible for introducing bills and making the laws for the state.
It is called the General Assembly.
It is made up of two houses (bicameral).
The smaller of the two is the Senate. It is made up of 56 members, 1 per voting district
The Larger of the two is the House of Representatives. It is made up of a 180 members. It is based on the population of the voting district.

4. Georgia’s Voting Districts

5. Senate 56 members, 1 per district Must be 25 years old to serve
Must be a resident of Georgia and a U.S. citizen for at least 2 years.
Must live in the district you represent.
Serves a 2 year term
Led by the Lieutenant Governor

6. House of Representatives
180 members, based on the district’s population
Must be 21 years old to serve
Must be a resident of Georgia and a U.S. citizen for at least 2 years
Must live in the district you represent.
Serves a 2 year term
Led by the Speaker of the House

7. Organization Both the Senate and House are divided into committees.
Their work is divided into a committee system.
Committees are responsible for reviewing/amending or rejecting bills before they are voted on.

8. Copy the following chart LH 174
Georgia’s Lawmaking Process

9. Lawmaking Process Proposal Committee Action Floor Action Conference
Idea is introduced to the legislature
Committee Action
Idea is assigned to be evaluated by appropriate committee
Floor Action
Idea is open for discussion with all members
Conference
Idea goes back to the committee for acceptance
Passage
Idea is voted on by all member of legislature
Action by Governor
Signed into Law or Vetoed

10. Executive Branch
Georgia’s Executive Branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the state.
Led by the Governor who is elected by the people.
The Lieutenant Governor is also elected into office by the people; he serves as the president of the senate.

11. Qualification for the Executive Branch
You must be 30 years old.
A U.S. citizen for 15 years.
A resident of Georgia for 6 years.
Governor serves a term of 4 years with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.
Lieutenant Governor serve for 4 years with an unlimited number of terms they may serve.

12. Governor of Georgia’s Powers
Can Veto a Bill
Appoints leaders of the executive departments
Leader of the Executive Branch
Commander in Chief of Georgia’s National Guard
Can Sign A bill into a Law
Writes the budget for the state

13. Powers of Lieutenant Governor
Serves as Governor if the current governor dies or is too sick to continue as Governor.
Serves as the President of the State Senate
Appoints Senate members to committees.

14. Important Executive Departments
Education- oversees public schools.
Public Safety- State police protect citizens
Transportation- maintains Georgia’s 4 major transportation systems.
Economic Development- promotes Georgia’s products and businesses.
Natural Resources: enforces laws on hunting and fishing and maintains state parks.

15. Complete a tree map over Georgia’s executive branch
Left Hand page 176
Complete a tree map over Georgia’s executive branch
Georgia’s Executive Branch
Lieutenant Governor
Executive Departments
Governor
Duties
Qualifications

16. Judicial Branch
The job of the Judicial Branch is to Interpret how the law applies.
Georgia’s Judicial Branch is divided into two court systems.

17. Georgia’s Court Systems
Trial Court: criminal actions and lawsuits.
Court of Appeals: reviews decisions made in trial courts.
Supreme Court is the highest court in Georgia.

18. Criminal Law
Criminal laws are created to protect society from wrong-doers.
Covers serious crimes that will to lead to fines, community service or prison.

19. In Georgia there are two types of crime
Felonies- serious crimes (murder, rape, robbery) with a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison.
Misdemeanors- less serious (shoplifting, trespassing) with a sentence of less than 1 year in jail.

20. Civil Law
Civil Law covers grievances or problems between individuals or groups of people.
Usually based on injuries or wrong doings and ends with compensation or payment.

21. Criminal Court Process use to draw on LH 166
START
Arrest and Booking Preliminary hearing
Plea bargain Grand jury
Jury selection Present evidence
Jury deliberation Cross examine
Sentencing Appeal
FINISH

22. Georgia’s Juvenile Justice System
1. Juveniles are citizens under the age of must follow the same local, state, and federal laws that all citizens follow *plus some that adults don’t- attend school, cannot run away from home and no alcoholic beverages or tobacco****curfew***

23. Some Terms To Know
Delinquent Act- an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult.
Examples: Burglary and car theft
If this act is serious enough, the juvenile may be charged as an adult.
Unruly Act- an act that would NOT be considered a crime if committed by an adult.
Examples: running away from home, breaking curfew & skipping school.
If a child commits these acts, they may be placed in a juvenile detention center.

24. YOU HAVE RIGHTS “taken into custody” rather than “under arrest”
The right to have a parent present when questioned
Right not to have their names or pics public
The right to two phone calls
Not self-incriminate
Not to be placed with adults

25. Juvenile Court System The juvenile court has three main purposes:
To help and protect the well-being of children
To make sure that any child under the jurisdiction of the court receives the care, guidance, and control needed
To provide care for children who have been removed from their homes

26. Steps in the Juvenile Justice Process
Step 1- intake- decide if there is enough evidence- release or charge - Release to parent or detained in the state’s Regional Youth Detention Center Step 2- detention- hearing to decide 1. dismiss the case 2. informal adjustment (first offenders) 3. formal hearing
Say your sorry

27. Step 3-formal hearing-
Trial for the judge to hear the case
Judge decide
NOT GUILTY- released
GUILTY- Another hearing for sentencing
Step 4-sentencing-
Release
Probation
Youth development center 90 days
4. Special programs- boot camp
5. Assign fines/restitutions or probation

28. The Seven Most Serious Delinquent Behaviors
There are seven offences that, if a child commits they will not be protected under the juvenile court.
Murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, & armed robbery with a firearm.

29. County and city government
*Georgia has the 2nd most counties in the U.S.(Texas 1st).
*Georgia has 159 counties, each of these counties has a government.
*In addition to these counties, there are almost 600 cities in Georgia. Each city has a government.

30. County Government
Counties- are subdivisions of the state set up to carry out certain government functions. -providing courts of law -building & repairing roads -holding elections -police & fire protection Ran by the board of commissioners

31. *Some city services are
City Government
-Over 500 cities and towns in Georgia
*Some city services are
police & fire protection, schools, taxes, and street & water services.

32. Forms of City Government
There are three types of government a city has weak mayor, strong mayor & council manager. Weak mayor-The mayor has limited power, appoints few officials and has little veto power.