Georgia State Judicial Branch

SS8CG4: The student will analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government.

The First FiveNovember 17, 2014

Agenda Message: Study for tomorrow’s Unit 5 Quiz (Vocabulary & class notes)

Today’s Warm-up: HOTS; Practice Questions1. Who was the 1st explorer to

enter present-day Georgia?A. Juan Ponce de LeonB. Christopher ColumbusC. Hernando de SotoD. Vasco da Gama

2. What was the 1st permanent British colony in North America?A. Roanoke IslandB. JamestownC. GeorgiaD. Massachusetts Bay

3. Which term BEST describes the kind of people Oglethorpe and the other trustees wanted to bring to Georgia?A. Former conventsB. Well educatedC. Deeply religiousD. Poor but worthy

Georgia’s Judicial Branch• Made up of state’s courts

• Purpose:– interpret state constitution–protect legal rights of citizens–enforce laws of the state

• Due Process of Law: amendments in the Constitution that make sure everyone is protected from abuse by the government. Examples of Due Process include: – Right to a fair and public trial– Right to be present at the trial – Right to an impartial jury – Right to be heard in one's own defense

Georgia’s Judicial BranchSupreme Court is state’s highest court.• Supreme Court judges are called Justices. State

justices are elected to six-year terms.• The Chief Justice (leader) is chosen by the other

justices.

Appellate Court (Court of Appeals) reviews cases (no witnesses and no juries). It is the 2nd highest court in the state.

Trial Courts hear criminal and civil cases– examples: magistrate, juvenile, state, superior, probate,

municipal

Laws are divided into two categories: Criminal & Civil Laws

Criminal Law: protects society from individuals• Crime: a serious offense, where a prosecutor

(lawyer for GA) will start legal action against the person who is accused of a crime

• The accused or defendant will be tried in criminal court.

Laws are divided into two categories: Criminal & Civil Laws

Civil Law: deals with the relationship between individuals (reality TV court shows)

• Tort: an injury or wrong done to a person. The person sues for money (called damages) in a civil court.

• Plaintiff: Person who sues• Defendant: Person who is being sued

Ticket out the Door Question What is the difference between

criminal and civil law?

The First FiveNovember 18, 2014

Agenda Message: Quiz on Friday over terms and information. Start studying tonight! Frayer Model Juvenile Justice Terms due Wednesday 11/19th

Georgia’s Judicial Branch

• A felony is a serious crime.• It is punishable by a prison sentence of more

than 1 year (arson, kidnapping, robbery, rape, burglary, selling drugs, & car theft).

• A capital felony is punishable by death (murder).

• A misdemeanor has a less severe punishment of jail or fine (shoplifting, cruelty to animals, and assault & battery with minor injuries).

Misdemeanor Crimes in GeorgiaMisdemeanors are punishable by:• Fine of up to $1,000• Up to 12 months in county jail• Both a fine & time in county jail• Up to 12 months in a state diversion centerFor example, simple battery (hitting someone) is a misdemeanor under Georgia’s laws.

Felony Crimes in GeorgiaThese crimes are generally treated as felonies:• Rape• Murder• Robbery• Grand Theft: Commit a crime of any type and the value is over

$400.00• Burglary• Selling Drugs• Kidnapping• Assault & Battery: Harm another person• Fraud: Intent to be deceitful These crimes are punishable by one year in prison to a life sentence

State Prisons

• Georgia has a total of almost 80 state prisons within it's state lines.

• They are located all over the state. • This number includes both men's and

women's prisons, but does not include jails or federal prisons in Georgia.

Juvenile Court System

• Every county has a juvenile court.

• Purposes:– help and protect children– provide care for children removed from homes

• Delinquent Act: act that would be a crime if committed by an adult (example: burglary)

• Status Offense: act that would not be a crime if committed by an adult (example: smoking)

Juvenile Court System

SS8CG6: The student will explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders.

Juvenile Court System

• Juvenile: citizen under the age of 17.• Common crimes are:

1. truancy(not going to school)

2. Drugs

3. drinking alcohol

4. loitering (hanging around a public place

without permission)

5. violating curfews

6. running away from home

Tuesday’s HOT’S: Questions

The First FiveNovember 20, 2014

Agenda Message: Quiz on Friday over terms and information. Start studying tonight! Frayer Model Juvenile Justice Terms due Wednesday 11/

Today’s Warm-up: Wednesday’s HOTS!

Steps in Juvenile Justice Process

1. Juvenile “taken into custody” (arrested)

2. Intake: intake officer evaluates case

3. Detain or release (to parents)

4. Detained juveniles sent to YDC (youth detention center)

5. Probable cause hearing before a judge (Judge Peggy Walker for Douglas County)

6. Dismissal, informal adjustment, or formal hearing

7. Sentencing/ Consequences

Georgia’s Seven Deadly Sins Act

• In 1994, the General Assembly made a law about violent youth crime.

• Juveniles could be treated as adults by the courts if charged with crimes such as:

1. Murder

2. Voluntary Manslaughter

3. Rape

4. Sodomy

5. Child Molestation

6. Sexual Battery

7. Armed robbery with a firearm• Superior courts handle these cases, not juvenile courts. • Mandatory 10-year sentences were a part of the new law.

Rights of Juveniles

• Juveniles have the right to a fair and speedy trial.

• There are no juries in juvenile cases.• Parents or guardians may be present at

hearings.• An attorney must be provided if child’s

parents cannot afford one.

Thursday’s HOT’S: Questions

Ticket out the Door QuestionIn your own words, what is the Seven Deadly Sins Act that the General Assembly made law in 1994?

QUIZ TOMORROW STUDY THE WEEKLY HOTS!!!!!

The First FiveDecember 13, 2013

Agenda Message: Unit 5 CDA = Wednesday & Unit 6 CDA = Thursday• Collect last night’s homework for a grade

Today’s Warm-up: Respond to the following Juvenile Justice System questions (Think-Pair-Share):• Allison is caught at her neighbor’s house during a party

with an alcoholic drink in her hand. What type of behavior would this be classified as? What will happen to her? If Allison is caught again with an alcoholic drink what might happen to her?

The First FiveDecember 12, 2013

Agenda Message: Complete Juvenile Justice System worksheet

Today’s Warm-up:Delinquent juveniles are those who…A. commit traffic offenses.B. Neglected or abused by parents or guardians.C. Are under 17 years of age and who commit acts that

would be crimes if they were committed by an adult.D. Are under 18 years of age and who commit acts that

would not be considered crimes if they were committed by adults.

Ticket Out the Door

1. By Georgia law, who is considered a juvenile?

2. What is the difference between a delinquent act and a status offense?