State Governments

State Governments

• Any powers not given to the government belong to the or the people.

• These are calledthey are reserved or set aside for the states or the people.

Federal System

• America is based on – power is divided and balanced between the national and state governments.

State Levels of Government

Executive

• Enforces and carries out laws

Legislative

• Makes laws

Judicial

• Interprets state laws

State Executive Branch

Who leads?

The top executive officer of the state.

Assists in leading the state. Like the vice president’s role to the president.

Other leaders….

-Controls all state funds -Collects state taxes-Pays the state’s bills

-Makes sure financial records are correct

-Distributes state funds to schools-Follows policies of the State Board of Education

State Executive Branch

State Legislative Branch

Who makes the laws?

What is the House of Representatives?

What is theSenate?

State Legislative Branch

State Judicial Branch

Misdemeanors (lesser crimes)Examples: traffic tickets, child custody, juvenile

court, disturbing the peace

Civil Cases (involving individuals or businesses)Examples: claims less than $5,000

Normally does NOT involve a jury trial.

Felonies – serious or violent crimesExamples: murder, armed robbery

Civil Cases – more than $5,000

Normally involves a jury trial.

Compare the decision of the General Trial Court or Lower Court to the State Constitution to decided if a lower court ruled correctly.

Normally does NOT involve a jury trial.

• Highest court in the state.• Compares decision of Appeals Court or

General Trial Courts to the State Constitution to decide if the lower court ruled correctly.

• Normally this decision is final.

State Judicial Branch

STATE GOVERNMENT

LowerCourts

Who are they?

• Who are these people for the state of Alabama? What do they look like?

1.Governor2.Lt. Governor3.Attorney General4.Others ?????