State government executive and judiciary branches

Minor judiciary court

"Court of first instance" Types -magisterial district judge 553 districts in pa - Philadelphia municipal court (minor civil and criminal cases and traffic issues) -allegheny municipal court

PA judges

- elected to 10 year terms. -magisterial district judges elected for 6 year terms. -must run on ballot of political party -to be reelected must run for retention( on ballot without competition. Simply yes or no to vote)

Clemency powers

-Allow president/governor to show mercy. -Would use these powers if it was thought that the courts had unfairly found someone guilty. -Can only be used after person has been convicted of a crime

President/ governor power

-appointment and removal of gov employees - supervision and administration - budget power

Legislative leadership

-each house ran by presiding officer - HOR- speaker of the house -senate- president of senate (VP or lieutenant governor) and president Pro Tempore

Executive branch power

-enforce laws and policies -ensure safety through police power -supervise and control work of gov employees -hire/fire gov employees -maintain territorial safety through national defense -influence public opinion

Judicial branch power

-interpret the law - interpret facts to determine who is right and who is wrong -decide consequences/punishment for those who are determined to be wrong -rule whether decisions and actions by other parts of gov are acceptable

Court of common pleas

-most cases involving judicial system start here - each court divided up into judicial district Pa has 60 judicial districts for its 67 counties

Types of clemency power

-pardon:forgiveness from all legal consequences of a conviction -commutation: reduction of sentence -reprieve: postpone carrying out a sentence -remit: eliminate or reduce a fine -parole: early release from prison before completing of time to be served.

Legislative branch powers

-policy -lawmaking -controlling money -evaluate gov employees and gov work -approve appointment of gov employees and judge -influence public opinion

Military power

-president- Commander in chief of armed forces of US -governor- head of state national guard -day to day leader of national guard is called adjutant general *federal gov can override governor power and call national guard into service if considered necessary

Legislative powers

-taxing spending and borrowing money - defining crimes and providing their punishment - make rules about operation of gov - regulate business activity - delegating authority to local gov -override and executive veto of legislation -providing gov service

Commonwealth court

Appellate jurisdiction over appeals from common pleas

Creating state budget

Executive- responsible for FIRST DRAFT of annual budget and introducing it to legislature.

Power of judicial and executive branch enforcing law

Executive: enforces laws and policies created by legislation. Judicial: determine punishments for when laws are broken.

Supreme Court

Felonious homicide and constitutional questions come here

Ex officio

Gov is part of many state boards me commisions

Grand jury

Group of jurors in a criminal matters only who hear testimony for the prosecutions witnesses as well as a statement about the crime from the prosecuter. - 16-23 jurors - closed to public - serve for court term -does not need to be unanimous

Petit jury

Group of jurors who hear testimony from both sides during a criminal trial or civil case. - 6-12 jurors -open to public - participate for one single trial - unanimous vote

Why?

Jury pool and voir dire import and because helps prevent juror misconduct

Criminal law

Law established by elected lawmakers Trying to prove guilt

Civil law

Law involving despute between two or more private parties Trying to prove liability

Voir dire

Lawyers and judges orally question venirepersons to gain info if they want them as a jury.

Eligibility to serve on jury

Minimum age 18 US citizen Live in state that summon Understand english

Summary offense

Minor types of crimes Punishment:fines to 90 days in jail

Misdemeanor

Moderate crimes Punishment: 5 years in jail for 1st degree misdemeanor to as little as 1 year maximum for 3rd degree misdemeanor

Felony

Most serious type of crimes Punishment: death, life in prison, 1st degree=up to 20 years in jail, 3rd degree= up to 7 yeArs

At large election

Officers from any ward can be elected from anywhere

Peremptory challenge

Parties belief that venireperson would not be a favorable juror

Jury pool

People chosen at random from lists of licensed drivers, tax rolls, and public utility users

Exempt from service

Personal hardships Absence from work would disturb public People belong in groups that wouldn't survive selection

Executive powers

President/governor is responsible for making sure the laws are faithfully enforced and administered. Pres/governor is the chief executive officer of the gov. -message power: power of persuasion -special session- can call legislature back into session of there is an extraordinary problem -passage of legislation/veto power.

Challenge for cause

Refusing because venirepersons cannot be impartial.

Ward

Small territory where elections are held