Chapter 15

1. Chapter 15 State Government Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches including Juvenile Justice Test review revised 1-24 - 13 ~

2. Branches of State Government • Executive • Legislative • Judicial

3. System of Checks and Balances • The legislative branch can impeach executive or judicial officials • The legislative branch can override the veto of bills • The executive branch can veto legislation and call special sessions of the General Assembly

4. Executive • The largest branch of Georgia’s government

5. Governor’s power provided by Georgia’s State Constitution • Serves as commander-in-chief of the Georgia National Guard • Signs bills from the legislature into law • Prepares an annual budget for consideration by the General Assembly • Has legislative, executive and judicial powers

6. Requirements to be Governor • Must be at least 30 years old before taking office • Must be a resident of Georgia for at least six years prior to taking office • Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years prior to taking office

7. Lieutenant Governor • Takes over the state government if the governor cannot fulfill his duties as governor • May serve unlimited years • Presides over the State Senate • If both the Gov. and Lt. Gov. are unable to serve, the Speaker of the State House of Rep. takes over.

8. Presiding officer of the State Senate or House of Representatives Recognizes speakers to discuss or debate issues Assigns proposed bills to committees Appoints Committee members

9. Elected Officials • State School Superintendent (controls the administration of state and federal education funds) • Justices of the State Supreme Court • State Senator • Commissioner of Agriculture • Commissioner of Insurance

10. Georgia’s General Assembly • Has law-making power over all areas not specifically assigned to the U. S. Government. • Members of the legislature must be legal residents of the district from which they are elected for at least ONE YEAR. • Have two year terms

11. Legislative Committees • Ways and Means Committeehandles bills involving taxes– how state is to receive funds(taxes) to run the state • Joint Committee – made up of members from both houses of the General Assembly and works on assigned topics or issues

12. Legislative Standing Committees • The Appropriations Committee • The Ways and Means Committee • The Judiciary Committee

13. Reapportionment • General Assembly redraws voting districts to ensure districts of equal population • Equal population split among districts is the MOST IMPORTANT for determining the boundaries for house and senate election districts every 10 years.

14. How a Bill becomes a Law • Copies of a bill are given to all legislators • A bill is assigned to a committee • A bill is sent to a full house or chamber of the legislature • The governor may sign or veto the bill • If the governor takes no action on a bill, it becomes law without a signature. • Know the steps in order!

15. Bills… • A majority vote of house members is required in order for a bill to pass in the House of Representatives • If the House and Senate version of the bills differ, the bill is referred to a conference committee for compromise rewording. • If the legislature passes a bill and the governor DOES NOT veto it or sign it… • The Bill becomes a Law.

16. $$$ What does revenue mean? - source of income What does expenditure mean? - money spent or paid out

17. What is Georgia’s largest source of revenue?

18. $$$ • Georgia’s sources of state income include: • Special fees collected by state agencies • State funds • Federal funds

19. Court Case An example of a civil case: - a neighbor’s fence has been built on your property and refuses to remove it

20. Supreme Court of GA • Highest-ranking court in Georgia • 7 justices elected by popular vote • 6-year terms of office What does it do? • Interprets the state’s constitution • Protects the basic civil rights of citizens • Reviews all trial cases where the death penalty was part of sentencing.

21. State courts enforce laws in cases where… Court interpretations of laws or case laws are involved Violations of the constitutional laws of Georgia have been charged Violations of regulations of the agencies of the executive branch of state government have been charged THEY DO NOT BECOME INVOLVED WITH FEDERAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS.

22. The Grand Jury in Georgia decides whether or not… A persons accused of crimes should be charged to stand trial

23. Student Rights and Responsibilities • Students must do the following since he/she has a legal right to a free public education: • Required to attend school between the ages of 6-16 • Follow reasonable rules and regulations • Help school officials prevent disruptions and violence in their schools

24. Juveniles in Georgia • If a juvenile runs away from home, he/she would be called an unruly juvenile under the law • Juveniles are guaranteed the right to: • A fair trial • Protection from self-incrimination • An attorney (and the protection against a trial without being represented w/o an attorney) • JUVENILES DO NOT HAVE A TRIAL WITH A JURY OF PEERS!

25. Juveniles – Serious Crimes Juveniles who commit specific serious (the seven deadly sins) and violent crimes may be placed under the jurisdiction of the state superior court. Juveniles can be tried as an adults if they commit one of the 7 deadly sins as identified by Georgia law.

26. Community service that could be assigned by a juvenile judge • Includes • Volunteering in work programs at schools and libraries • Running errands for Hospice (an organizations for the terminally ill) • Working at a kitchen in a homeless shelter …and many more… Study!!!