KSU Georgia Constitution Exam with
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Probate courts Deal with wills, estates, marriage licenses, appointment of guardians, and
involuntary hospitalizations of individuals
May also issue warrants in some cases
Magistrate Courts Deal with bail, misdemeanors, small civil complaints, and search and
arrest warrants
They may also conduct preliminary hearings
State Courts -Hear civic cases, traffic violations, or other misdemeanors
-May also hold preliminary hearings and act on applications to issue warrants
-Operate in less than half of Georgia's counties and often have part-time judgeships
Court of Appeals -Twelve judges elected statewide on a nonpartisan bases for staggered,
six year terms
-Can be affected by state law
,-Often hears appeals on child custody, worker's compensation, and criminal cases that do not
involve the death penalty
-Cases usually heard by a panel of 3 judges but if one of them dissents, a case may be heard by
the full court
Supreme Court -Comprised of seven justices elected statewide on a nonpartisan ballot to
six year terms
-Choose whether to hear appeals from lower courts through the process of ceritorari
-Has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all cases regarding the GA constitution, the U.S.
constitution (as it applies within the state), elections, and the constitutionality of laws
-May also hear cases on appeal from the Court of Appeals or maybe called upon to decide
questions of law from other state or local courts
-Has authority to hear appeals for all cases in which a sentence of death may be given
-Also involved in administering the state court system and regulating the legal profession
How are various judges elected and what are their term limits? Supreme Court/Court of
Appeals: elected in a nonpartisan election for 6 year terms
, Chief Justice of supreme court: chosen among the supreme court justices
Superior court: elected nonpartisan; 4 year terms; elected by voters in their circuit
State court: elected nonpartisan countywide; 4 year terms
Juvenile Courts: appointed, not elected, by superior court judges of the counties they serve
Which Judges must have practiced law for 7 years prior to assuming their positions?
Appellate, Superior, and State
The governor can fill vacant justice positions besides: Magistrate, probate, and juvenile
District Attorney Requirements and Responsibilities -Elected in each judicial circuit for 4
year terms;
-Active membership in the State Bar of Georgia for 3 years
-Represent the state as prosecutors in all criminal cases and in all cases heard by the Supreme
Court and Courts of Appeals
Requirement for indictments in felony cases Grand jury indictment
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Probate courts Deal with wills, estates, marriage licenses, appointment of guardians, and
involuntary hospitalizations of individuals
May also issue warrants in some cases
Magistrate Courts Deal with bail, misdemeanors, small civil complaints, and search and
arrest warrants
They may also conduct preliminary hearings
State Courts -Hear civic cases, traffic violations, or other misdemeanors
-May also hold preliminary hearings and act on applications to issue warrants
-Operate in less than half of Georgia's counties and often have part-time judgeships
Court of Appeals -Twelve judges elected statewide on a nonpartisan bases for staggered,
six year terms
-Can be affected by state law
,-Often hears appeals on child custody, worker's compensation, and criminal cases that do not
involve the death penalty
-Cases usually heard by a panel of 3 judges but if one of them dissents, a case may be heard by
the full court
Supreme Court -Comprised of seven justices elected statewide on a nonpartisan ballot to
six year terms
-Choose whether to hear appeals from lower courts through the process of ceritorari
-Has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all cases regarding the GA constitution, the U.S.
constitution (as it applies within the state), elections, and the constitutionality of laws
-May also hear cases on appeal from the Court of Appeals or maybe called upon to decide
questions of law from other state or local courts
-Has authority to hear appeals for all cases in which a sentence of death may be given
-Also involved in administering the state court system and regulating the legal profession
How are various judges elected and what are their term limits? Supreme Court/Court of
Appeals: elected in a nonpartisan election for 6 year terms
, Chief Justice of supreme court: chosen among the supreme court justices
Superior court: elected nonpartisan; 4 year terms; elected by voters in their circuit
State court: elected nonpartisan countywide; 4 year terms
Juvenile Courts: appointed, not elected, by superior court judges of the counties they serve
Which Judges must have practiced law for 7 years prior to assuming their positions?
Appellate, Superior, and State
The governor can fill vacant justice positions besides: Magistrate, probate, and juvenile
District Attorney Requirements and Responsibilities -Elected in each judicial circuit for 4
year terms;
-Active membership in the State Bar of Georgia for 3 years
-Represent the state as prosecutors in all criminal cases and in all cases heard by the Supreme
Court and Courts of Appeals
Requirement for indictments in felony cases Grand jury indictment
