Georgia Constitution Practice Exam

What is the trial court in Georgia for felony cases, excluding juvenile cases?

1. State Court.

2. Court of Appeals.

3. Superior Court.

4. Magistrate Court.

The correct answer is: Superior Court.

In Georgia, the trial court for felony cases, excluding juvenile cases, is the Superior Court. This court has jurisdiction specifically over serious criminal offenses, including felonies. The structure of Georgia's court system allows for a clear delineation of responsibilities among the various courts, with the Superior Court being designated to handle significant matters such as felony charges, divorce cases, and other serious civil matters. The rationale for having Superior Courts responsible for felony cases is based on the need for specialized handling and adjudication of more serious legal issues, which often involve more complex legal proceedings and substantial penalties. This court system ensures that felony charges are addressed with the appropriate level of legal expertise and procedural rigor. While other courts, like the State Court and Magistrate Court, handle various types of cases, they do not hold the same jurisdiction over felony cases as the Superior Court. The Court of Appeals is focused on reviewing decisions made by trial courts, so it does not conduct trials itself. Therefore, for felony cases in Georgia, the Superior Court is the correct court of original jurisdiction.