Chapter 12, 13, &14
Louisiana State Government
Foundations for Louisiana State Government1812 Louisiana
becomes a state & forms it’s own
constitution
Basis of Louisiana Constitution:
1.Napoleonic Code= codes of written laws based on French Law
2. French Civil Law= laws based on legal code rather than court decisions
State Executive Branch: Governor(Bobby Jindal/ Republican)
• Qualifications:– American citizen– 30 years old– Resident of state for 5 years
• State voters elect governor directly by a majority vote.
• 2 consecutive, 4 year term limit– can be impeached or replaced by a
recall election• Has the same role as the president,
but can only preside over the state
State Executive Branch: Lieutenant Governor (Jay Dardenne )
• Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
• runs on separate ticket than the governor
• 2nd in command• In charge of public relations
– tourism, recreation, & culture
State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet)
• Advise governor on area of responsibility
– Appointed by governor
• Departments:
– Departments of Agriculture
– Departments of Labor
– Departments of/ Board of Health
– Departments of Public Works & Highways
– State Welfare Board
State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet)
Secretary of State ( Tom Schedler)
• Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
• Maintains state records, official documents, & state seal
• Maintains state & federal elections
State Executive Branch:Executive Departments (Cabinet)
Secretary of Treasury John Kennedy
• Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
• Maintains state spending & receiving of state funds & federal revenue
• Assistant is Auditor Steve Theriot
State Executive Branch: Executive Departments (Cabinet)
Attorney General ( Buddy Caldwell)
• Elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
• States lawyer
• Fights cases/ lawsuits & brings lawsuits on behalf of the state
• Head of Department of Justice
State Legislative Branch: Legislators/ Congress
• Qualifications:– American citizen for 1 year– Live in district & state represent for 1 year– Age: 25
• Terms: – 4 year terms– 3 term limits
• Follow the same process to turn a bill into a law, but allows– line-item vetos = governor can veto a certain area of a
bill – veto sessions= after regular session to revise vetoed
bills
State LawsMarriage
age 18 & marry within 73 hours of gaining
document Divorce• must separate 180 days •before filing & alimony
•can be no more than •1/3 of income
Community Property= equal division of property obtained during marriage
Civil Services= protects public employees for actions
based on political opinion & affiliation
State Judicial Branch• Types of Courts:
– Justice Courts = which is lead by the justice of the peace & handles misdemeanors (marriage/ divorce/ disturbing the peace)
– Magistrate Courts/ Municipal Courts =which handle minor cases, traffic violations, & lawsuits less than $1,000.00
– District Courts= handle felony cases through trial set-ups with juries & judges
• St.Tammany Parish Court House in Covington• Judges elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
– Appellate Court = review & decide on previous cases by a panel of judges• New Orleans District Courthouse • 3-5 judges elected every 4 years, unlimited terms
– State Supreme Court= review appeals court decisions, supervises all state courts, & interprets state constitutions by a panel of judges
• Baton Rouge & New Orleans Supreme Court• 10 justices elected every 10 years, unlimited term limits
Type of Cases: Civil Law• Courts provide a place to resolve
differences between 2 people/ groups• Civil Court Types:
– Small Claims Court– Large Claim Courts
• Outcomes– Drop case, settle (most common)/
mediation, trials or arbitration = someone decides for them & decision is final.
Civil Cases• Lawsuits:
– Property disputes
– Breach of contract
– Negligence
– Family matters (divorce)
– personal injury– Suits of Equity
• Judge usually has an injunction when agreeing with plaintiffs, to prevent damage
Type of Cases: Criminal Law
• All crimes follow the penal code• Criminal Groups:
– Felonies• Prison 1 year & more to death• Classify who/ what was harmed when
crime was committed.– Misdemeanors
• Fine/ 1 year or less in prison• Outcome: Trials or Plea Bargain (most
Common)
Types of Cases: Juvenile Courts
• Cases:
– Neglect Cases• Power to place kids with
foster families, where they will be protected & cared for. (Wards of the State)
– Delinquency Cases
• Juvenile courts handle offenses that are considered illegal for juveniles & not for adults.
– Running away, skipping schools, & violating curfew.
Rules for Juvenile Arrest
– Parents must be notified, when child arrested.
– Child & parent must be notified in writing of all charges.
– Child has right to remain silent & have an attorney.
– Child has the right to confront witness against them.
Juvenile Courts Rules for Trials– Only parties involved can attend
– no juries only judge.
– keep kid identity
– kid records are not publicized & sealed when kid is 18
– photos & fingerprints are not taken.
Juvenile Courts forms of Punishments
– Send home with lecture – send to training school– Send to prison– Send to teen shelters– Send to treatment centers for addiction– Send to hospitals for mental/ emotional
problems– Probations
• kid must attend school & obey parents
• If do, charges dropped
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