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Cornell Notes:Georgia Studies
Questions/Main Ideas: / Topic: ______State and Local Government_____
1.Explain the basic structure of the Georgia State Constitution (how is it set up?) / GA constitution is set up with a preamble (beginning) and seven articles that address issues like voting, taxes, education, and how local government functions.
2. What is “separation of powers”? / It means that each branch has a list of responsibilities that they need to perform that is separate and unique to that one branch.
3. What is “checks and balances”? / This means that each branch has limits or a “check” on the other branches that helps to keep one branch from taking over another branch.
4. Describe the rights and responsibilities of Georgia citizens. / GA citizens have rights and responsibilities just as basic American rights. These rights include: the right to bear arms, freed of speech, right to life, liberty and property. Some responsibilities are not to break the law or there is a punishment; pay taxes and serve in the military, if required.
5. What are the voting qualifications and elections in Georgians? / To vote in Georgia, you must be 18 year or older and live in the county in which you are voting. You must not have been convicted of a felony.
6. What are the names of the two political parties in Georgia? What is the role of political parties? / Republican party and Democratic party
The Role of political parties (vocabulary list) are to elect members to governmental offices.
Cornell Notes:
Georgia Studies
Questions/Main ideas / Topic: 3 Branches of Government in Georgia
1. What is another name for the legislative branch in Georgia? / General Assembly
2. Explain the qualifications, term, election, and duties of members of the General Assembly / See chart on “legislative branch” handout
3. How is the General Assembly organized? (who is the leader? How does the committee system work?) / The General Assembly has two houses: State house of Representative and a State Senate.
In the House: The leader is the Speaker of the House. In the House, members are assigned to committees. Usually a member is on three committees.
In the Senate: the leader of the senate is the Lt. Governor. The Lt. Governor assigns members to committees to research bills.
4. Describe the steps of the lawmaking process. (there are 7 steps to how a bill becomes a law). / See chart
5. True or False : The State Senate and State House of Representatives (both houses) create bills? / True
6. True or False: Both houses have to agree on the same version of the bill before sending it to the governor? / True
7. Explain the qualifications, term, election, and duties of the governor and lieutenant governor of Georgia. / See chart
8. How is the executive branch of government in Georgia organized? / The executive branch consists of the governor and lieutenant governor, state agencies, and state police/patrol.
9. What are the six major executive programs /agencies in Georgia? / 1. Education 2. Human Resources 3. Public Safety
4. Transportation 5. Economic development 6. Natural Resources
10. Explain how the governor fills each department or agency head. / Sometimes the governor appoints the heads of state agencies; sometimes state agency heads are elected.
11. Explain the structure of the court system in Georgia. (how is it set up?) / The court system in Georgia is divided into two parts (courts): Trial Courts and Appellate Courts (appeals)
12. What is criminal law? / This type of law deals with crimes that may have been committed and the punishment that is suitable for that crime. In a criminal case, a law has been broken and someone has already been arrested for that crime.
13. What is civil law? / Involves disputes between individuals or groups of people. Typically, one group is seeking money or compensation from another group. Civil law cases do not involve criminal activity.
14. Describe the adult criminal justice system (include the steps in the criminal process). / All adults are given the right to a fair trial under the law and have due process of law.
15. What is the job of the court system in Georgia? How does the courts ensure justice in the legal system? / The job of the court system in Georgia is to make sure that the laws are interpreted correctly. To ensure justice, all court cases can be appealed, although a higher court can choose not to hear an appeal.
16. What is the origins, functions, purpose, and differences of county government? / County governments provide services for the people within their jurisdiction (the area they cover). Counties are headed by commissioners.
17. What is the origins, functions, purpose, and differences of city government? / City governments provide services for the people within their jurisdiction (the area they cover). City government is headed by or governed by either a mayor, city council, or city manager.
18. What is a weak major council? / A form of city government where the mayor is a figurehead and has no real power; or has very limited powers. The city council has the most power in this form of government.
19. What is a strong mayor council? / This form of government has a mayor that is strong and has executive powers. The mayor can veto (deny) or approve bills. An example of this type of government exist in the city of Atlanta.
20. What is the council-manager forms of city government? / In this form of government, the city council has legislative powers (power to make laws). This type of government chooses a city manager to handle the budget and other city functions.
21. What is a special purpose government? / Also known as a “special purpose district” is a part of the government that is self-sufficient and performs a certain, special purpose (like MARTA and school systems)
22. True or False: Local government always have to work with the state to make sure laws are enforced? / TRUE
23. What is the difference between delinquent behavior and unruly behaviors? / Unruly behavior = is a behavior that a juvenile should not participate in (but an adult can); delinquent behavior is a crime for adults and juveniles
24. What are the rights of juveniles when taken into custody? / The rights of a juvenile include: the right to a lawyer, to provide witnesses, to remain silent, the right to an appeal, and the right to have a transcript of the trial. ( no jury trials and you are more protected under the law because you are a ward of the state)
25. Describe the juvenile justice system. (the steps to the process) / 1.Probable cause hearing to determine if you will be detained or not. 2. An adjudicatory hearing where a judge hears your case 3. Dispositional hearing where the judge will decide your innocence or guilt in your case ( no jury trials)
26. What are the seven delinquent behaviors that can subject juveniles to the adult criminal justice system? / 1.agravataed child molestation
2.aggravated sexual battery
3.aggravated sodomy
4.murder
5.rape
6.voluntary manslaughter
7.armed robbery with a firearm