**Georgia’s court system** has two parts: state courts and federal courts. Each part has its own authority and ranks.
This article aims to explore the structure of Georgia’s court system, focusing on the state court system and the appellate hierarchy.
The state court system encompasses various trial courts, including the superior court system, state courts, civil courts, probate courts, magistrate courts, and juvenile courts. These courts handle a wide range of cases, from felony charges to civil claims and juvenile crime.
On the other hand, the appellate courts, namely the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals, have the authority to review and overturn rulings of lower courts.
Additionally, this article will touch on the federal court system in Georgia, where appeals from the US District Courts go to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
By providing accurate and reliable information about Georgia’s court system, this article aims to shed light on its structure and appellate hierarchy.
Georgia Court System Structure
The Georgia court system consists of both state and federal courts, with the state court system including trial courts and appellate courts such as the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals, which play a significant role in the state’s judicial hierarchy.
The state court hierarchy in Georgia is structured in a way that different courts have jurisdiction over specific types of cases. The trial courts handle a wide range of cases, including felony charges, misdemeanor offenses, and juvenile crime.
The appellate courts, on the other hand, have the authority to consider and overturn rulings of lower courts.
In addition to the state court system, Georgia also has federal courts, including the US District Courts and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which handle cases involving federal law and appeals from the state courts.
State Court System
One aspect of Georgia’s legal structure involves the organization of its state-level courts. These courts are responsible for handling a wide range of cases within the state’s jurisdiction.
Here are four types of state trial courts in Georgia:
- Superior Courts: These courts have jurisdiction over felony charges and handle more serious criminal cases. They also handle civil cases involving larger amounts of money.
- State Courts: State courts handle misdemeanor offenses and lower-level criminal cases. They also have jurisdiction over traffic violations and certain civil cases.
- Probate Courts: Probate courts deal with matters related to wills, estates, and the appointment of guardians. They handle cases involving the distribution of assets and the validity of wills.
- Magistrate Courts: Magistrate courts have limited jurisdiction and handle civil claims of less than $15,000, county ordinance violations, account fraud, and preliminary hearings.
These different types of state trial courts ensure that cases are heard and decided upon at the appropriate level of the judicial system.
Federal Court System
The federal court system in Georgia encompasses a network of district courts, each with its own courthouses, that handle a variety of federal cases within the state’s jurisdiction.
Georgia has three US District Courts:
- the Middle District of Georgia,
- the Northern District of Georgia, and
- the Southern District of Georgia.
The Middle District of Georgia has courthouses in Macon, Albany, Athens, Columbus, and Valdosta.
The Northern District of Georgia has courthouses in Atlanta, Gainesville, Newnan, and Rome.
The Southern District of Georgia has courthouses in Augusta, Brunswick, Dublin, Savannah, Waycross, and Statesboro.
Appeals from the US District Courts in Georgia go to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in downtown Atlanta.
The federal court system plays a crucial role in adjudicating federal cases and ensuring the uniform application of federal law within the state of Georgia.
