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Government and Criminal Justice

Terms in this set (48)

legislative branch
the branch of Georgia's government that makes laws; called the General Assembly
executive branch
the branch of Georgia's government that executes, or carries out, the law
judicial branch
the branch of Georgia's government that interprets the law
checks and balances
the concept that each branch of Georgia's government has power over the other two branches; this keeps one branch from obtaining too much power
separation of power
the concept that each branch of Georgia's government has a specific role, or responsibility
functions of a political party
select candidates, education candidates on important campaign issues, help candidates win elections, monitor the actions of office holders
voting requirements in Georgia
18 years old, US citizen, resident of Georgia and the district
qualifications of Georgia's legislators
US citizen, GA resident for 2 years, district resident for 1 year, 21-House of Representative member, 25-senator
responsibilities of Georgia's legislators
make laws, serve on standing committees, create an annual budget, redistrict every 10 years, add constitutional amendments to the ballot
Speaker of the House
presides over the House of Representatives
floor leader
represents the interest of the governor in the House of Representatives
minority and majority party leaders
organize political parties within each house of Georgia's General Assembly
standing committee
a legislative committee that always exists in the legislature (ex: education committee)
ad hoc committee
a temporary legislative committee that is created for a special purpose
joint committee
a legislative committee that includes members of both houses of Georgia's General Assembly
conference committee
a legislative committee that is created to come to a compromise when each house of the General Assembly has created conflicting bills.
Process of a bill becoming a law
1. introduced to a house 2. assigned to a committee, discussed and voted on 3. represented to the house and voted on 4. crosses over to the other house where the process repeats 5. sent to the governor if approved by both houses to be signed
governor
the highest ranking official in Georgia
qualifications of Governor and Lt. Governor
US citizen, GA resident for 15 years, 30 years old
term in office for Georgia's legislators
2 years, unlimited consecutive terms
term in office for Georgia's governor
4 years with a 2 consecutive limit on terms
term in office for Lt. Governor
4 years with unlimited consecutive terms
responsibilities of Georgia's governor
propose the annual budget, propose bills, commander in chief of the state militia, chief law enforcement officer, trade delegations, proclamations, represents the state, political party leader, oversees the executive branch, makes appointments to offices,
responsibilities of Georgia's Lt. Governor
presides over Georgia's Senate, acts as the Governor when he is out of the state
Department of Education
the state department responsible for carrying out laws relating to education
Department of Public Safety
the state department responsible for carrying out laws relating to criminal law
Department of Transportation
the state department responsible for carrying out laws relating to the maintenance of state roads and highways
Department of Economic Development
the state department responsible for carrying out laws relating to attracting business to Georgia
Department of Natural Resources
the state department responsible for carrying out laws relating to the maintenance of Georgia's state parks
Criminal Law
when a law is actually broken; endangering yourself, a person, or society
Civil Law
a dispute between two people; typically when one person is suing another
juvenile court
court dealing with cases relating to minors (under 17 years)
probate court
a court that deals with paperwork such as wills and marriage licenses
magistrate court
a court that deals with small civil cases
state court
a court that deals with large civil cases and misdemeanors
superior court
a court that deals with felonies
court of appeals
the first court that a defendant can make an appeal to
Georgia Supreme Court
the highest court in Georgia; this court only deals with cases with constitutional claims
misdemeanor
small criminal cases; typically carries a punishment of less than a year in prison
felony
large criminal cases; typically carries a punishment of 1 year in prison or more
initial appearance
when someone who has been arrested is presented to a judge to have charges explained and to potentially have bail set
grad jury indictment or preliminary hearing
when a judge or jury determines if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial
arraignment
when a defendant enters a plea of guilty or not guilty
steps in a trial
1. jury selection 2. opening statement 3. presentation of evidence 4. closing statement 5. verdict
sentencing
when a judge assigns the punishment for someone who has been found guilty of a crime
judicial review
the process of higher level courts reviewing the decisions of lower courts; happens through the appeals process
unruly juvenile
a juvenile who commits a crime that is only illegal due to their age
juvenile delinquent
a juvenile who commits a crime that would be a crime regardless of age
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