The Branches of Georgia's Government

Reviewing the Branches of Georgia's Government:

• Which branch of Georgia's government makes the laws?
• Which branch of Georgia's government interprets the laws?
• Which branch of Georgia's government enforces the law?
• What elected position leads the executive branch of Georgia's government?
• Name the two bodies of the legislative branch.

Executive

The Executive branch carries out and enforces the laws.

• This is the largest branch of the Georgia state government and it is led by the Governor.
• Article V of the Georgia Constitution says that governors are to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed and shall be the conservator of peace," in the state.
• The governor is the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.
• Georgia's governor must at least 30 years old.
• A candidate for governor must be a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years and a legal resident of Georgia for 6 years.

Legislative

The Legislative branch makes the laws.

• The Legislative branch is a bicameral body consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate.
• The House of Representatives has 180 members; the Senate has 56 members.
• To serve in the Georgia Senate you must be at least 25 years old. You must be 21 years of age to serve in the House of Representatives
• Each legislator must a U.S. citizen and a citizen of Georgia for, at least, two years.
• Each legislator must have been a legal resident in the district he/she represents for at least one year.

Judicial

The Judicial branch interprets the law.

• The Judicial branch of government uses court systems to settle matters pertaining to the law.
• The laws of the state are divided into two categories: Criminal and Civil law.
• When a crime, or serious offense regarded as an injury to society, is committed, the state will start legal action against the person who is accused of the crime in a criminal court.
• The courts have different jurisdiction in interpreting the law: Original jurisdiction describes the authority of courts to hear a case in the "first instance." Courts of limited jurisdiction handle less serious cases or cases that involve specific issues, both criminal and civil. Appellate jurisdiction takes up where the courts of original or limited jurisdiction leave off.

The Branches of Georgia's Government:

Interpreting the law:

Making Laws:

• The Supreme court is the state's highest court and has original jurisdiction.
• The Court of Appeals is an appellate court for many civil and criminal cases.
• Courts with limited jurisdiction include: state court, which hear misdemeanor cases and some civil; probate courts, which handle the estates of deceased persons, issue marriage licenses, and licenses to carry firearms; magistrate courts issue minor warrants and hear minor criminal offenses; juvenile courts handle all cases involving deprived and neglected children, delinquent and unruly offenses committed by children, and traffic violations committed by juveniles.

• The Legislature can pass laws on any issue not forbidden by the U.S constitution.
• It can amend state laws or abolish them
• The Georgia state legislature can pass laws concerning state services, criminal matters, contracts, raising and spending money, land use, natural resources conservation, and real and personal property.

Enforcing the law:

• The Governor has the authority to deploy Georgia's National Guard to restore order in emergency situations.
• The Governor can also call out the Georgia State Patrol for law enforcement assistance when needed.
• Unlike the federal government, Georgia has a plural executive system, made of elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other constitutional officers.