The Georgia judicial branch is comprised of several key components, each serving different functions within the state's legal system. Here's an overview of the main entities:
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Supreme Court of Georgia: This is the highest court in the state and has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all cases. It primarily handles cases that involve significant legal principles, constitutional issues, or important public policy matters.
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Court of Appeals of Georgia: This court serves as an intermediate appellate court and handles appeals from lower courts, except for those cases that are directly appealable to the Supreme Court of Georgia.
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Superior Courts: These are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in Georgia. They handle a wide range of cases, including felony criminal cases, divorce, custody, and civil cases involving larger amounts of money.
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State Courts: These are trial courts with limited jurisdiction that handle misdemeanor criminal cases, lesser civil cases, and traffic violations.
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Juvenile Courts: These courts focus on matters involving minors, including delinquency and dependency cases.
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Magistrate Courts: These are lower courts that handle minor civil disputes, small claims, and certain criminal offenses. They are often the first point of contact for individuals seeking legal recourse.
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Probate Courts: These courts handle matters related to wills, estates, guardianships, and other issues pertaining to the administration of deceased individuals' estates.
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Municipal Courts: These courts deal with violations of city ordinances and minor criminal offenses that occur within a city.
Each of these courts and their associated judges, clerks, and personnel collectively make up the Georgia judicial system, working to interpret and apply the law in various contexts.