Georgia Judicial Review SS8CG4ab

Georgia’s Judicial Branch Review

SS8CG4 Analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government.

a.

Describe the ways that judges are selected in Georgia.

b.

b. Analyze the dual purpose of the judicial branch: to interpret the laws of
Georgia and administer justice in our legal system.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following court judges are elected to 6-year terms in statewide non-partisan elections?

• Superior and Supreme

• State and Superior

• Court of Appeals and Supreme

• Court of Appeals and Superior

Vocabulary: What do you remember about these words?

Appeal
Appellate

Chief Justice

Judicial Branch

Magistrate Court

Probate Court

State Court

Superior Court
Supreme Court

Court of Appeals

Justices

What’s the dual

purpose of

Georgia’s Judicial

Branch?

• 1- Interpret

Laws

• 2- Apply state

laws to
individual cases

Georgia’s Supreme Court has the final say. It

also has the power to rule a law

unconstitutional.

Open Ended

Georgia's Judicial Branch has dual purposes. Those include: Interpreting laws, ___________.

Administering Justice in Georgia’s Courts:

Georgia’s Judicial Branch must

*ensure equal protection under the law for all citizens
*enforce the rule of law.

It does this by:

*Ensuring all law are constitutional
*Decide guilt/innocence fairly
*Assigns punishment fitting the crime.

It’s not
an easy

job!

Multiple Choice

All of the following EXCEPT ____ are ways the judicial branch administers justice in Georgia's legal system.

• Make sure all laws are constitutional

• Not allow jury trials.

• Decide innocence/guilt in a fair manner.

• Assign punishment fitting the crime.

How many

levels of courts

are there in

Georgia?

Which court is
the highest?

How many
administer

justice?

How many of Georgia’s
courts administer justice?

(9 justices)

Multiple Choice

How many of Georgia's courts administer justice?

• None of them

• All of them

• Only the Supreme Court

• Only trial courts

How are judges selected to in Georgia courts?

Court Type

Elected

4-year term
County wide
non-partisan

Election

Appointed by
Superior Court
Judges 4-year

term

Elected or
Appointed

Elected to 6-yr

terms in statewide

non-partisan

elections

State

X

Juvenile

X

Probate

X

Magistrate

X

Superior

X

Court of
Appeals

X

Supreme

X

Trial

Appellate

What is the difference between Trial and Appellate courts?

Multiple Choice

Some judges in Georgia are elected to a 4 year term by a county wide non-partisan election. This is true of all the following EXCEPT ____ court judges.

• Juvenile

• Superior

• State

• Probate

What is the difference between Trial &
Appellate Courts?

Trial Court

Appellate Court

--any court that hears a case
first
--referred to as courts of original
jurisdiction
--makes both findings of fact
and law through use of evidence
--may be appealed to a higher
court for review.

--do not retry cases or hear new
evidence
--do not hear witnesses testify
--no jury
--review procedures & decisions
in from trial courts to ensure the
proceedings were fair & proper
law was applied correctly.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between trial and appellate courts in Georgia?

• Trial courts hear witness testimony, and review evidence.

  Appellate courts review cases and do not include a jury or retry cases.

• Appellate courts retry cases and give new ruling. Trial courts only review information used in previous court.

• Trial cases review old cases to identify whether or not to retry the case. Appellate courts always include a jury.

• Both courts are exactly alike.

Multiple Choice

What branch Interprets laws and ensures justice?

• Executive

• Judicial

• Legislative

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between civil and criminal law?

• Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, while criminal law deals with crimes committed against society.

• Civil law deals with disputes between employers and employees, while criminal law deals with crimes committed by employees.

• Civil law deals with disputes between family members, while criminal law deals with crimes committed against strangers.

• Civil law deals with disputes between countries, while criminal law deals with crimes committed within a country.

Multiple Choice

What is the standard of proof in criminal law cases?

• beyond a reasonable doubt

• preponderance of evidence

• balance of probabilities

• clear and convincing evidence

Multiple Choice

What is the standard of proof in civil law cases?

• reasonable doubt

• clear and convincing evidence

• preponderance of the evidence

• beyond a shadow of a doubt

Multiple Choice

What is any "lesser" criminal act called?

• misdemeanor

• arrest

• Criminal Law

• capital crimes

Multiple Choice

What is a criminal act that can be punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year

• misdemeanor

• arrest

• felony

• capital crimes

Multiple Choice

when the prosecutor presents evidence and the judge determines whether there is probable cause to hold the defendant over for trial

• grand jury

• A preliminary hearing

• initial hearing

• arraignment

Multiple Choice

A group of citizens are presented evidence by the prosecutor. The citizens determine if there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment (formal charge) is issued.

• grand jury

• preliminary hearing

• sentencing

• arraignment

Multiple Choice

If someone were accused of robbing a bank in Georgia, in which court would they initially be tried?

• trial court

• appellate court

• court of appeals

• Georgia Supreme Court

Multiple Choice

when the suspect appears before the judge, who informs the suspect of the charges and of his or her rights; this is also when the judge sets bail.

• arrest

• preliminary hearing

• Initial hearing

• sentencing

Multiple Choice

after an arrest when the suspect is searched, photographed, fingerprinted, and allowed at least one telephone call.

• booking

• preliminary hearing

• initial hearing

• sentencing

Multiple Choice

a dollar amount or conditions set by the court to ensure that an individual accused of a crime will appear for further criminal proceedings

• booking

• bail

• indictment

• sentencing

Multiple Choice

During a court hearing, the judge reads the charges against the defendant and the defendant enters a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty.” What is this step called?

• grand jury

• preliminary hearing

• sentencing

• arraignment

Multiple Choice

If a defendant pleads guilty or a jury finds them guilty, then the judge decides what penalties or punishments they face

• opening statements

• jury deliberation and verdict

• closing statements

• sentencing

Multiple Choice

the jury is asked to discuss the case and determine if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

• opening statements

• jury deliberation and verdict

• closing statements

• sentencing