Your Government: How Courts Work

Know Your Rights

• Civil Court Cases

  This web page explains the process for a civil court case and describes some of the documents and concepts that are involved in the process, including : (1) the complaint or petition, (2) serving the complaint or petition on the opposing party, (3) use of blank or standard forms, (3) jurisdiction, (4) answering the complaint or petition, (5) hiring an attorney, (6) getting free or reduced-cost legal assistance, (7) getting a waiver of court costs, (8) trial calendars, (9) witnesses, (10) getting a continuance (a delay in the court case), and (11) the final judgment or final order. Content Detail

  By:

  Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts

• How Civil Lawsuits Work: After the Trial

  This document describes the basic process of what happens after a civil law suit ends. The document has been excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004). Read More

  By:

  Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How Civil Lawsuits Work: Before the Trial

  This document describes the basic process for what happens before the trial in a civil law suit. The document has been excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004). Read More

  By:

  Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How Civil Lawsuits Work: The Trial

  This document describes the basic process of what happens during a civil law suit. The document has been excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Third Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2001). Read More

  By:

  Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How Courts Work

  Law and the courts are everywhere—on the front page news, in best-selling thrillers, on Court TV and network shows about lawyers. Famous trials are a great subject, full of human drama, but how many of us really understand the work that courts do and how they operate? Here’s a quick primer, with links that will help you go more deeply into the subject.: (1) Courts and Legal Procedure, (2) Steps in a Trial, (3) The Human Side of Being a Judge, (4) Mediation Content Detail

  By:

  American Bar Association

• How to Sue in Magistrate Court PDF

  Magistrate Courts let you sue for money claims under $15,000 (fifteen thousand dollars). A Magistrate Judge decides your case after a trial. There is no jury. You do not need a lawyer. However, you may seek help from a lawyer. Content Detail

  By:

  Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Learn about Civil Justice and the Legal System

  This presentation was developed as part of the Law and Government Education Project in the Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. In partnership with the Law School and the Center for Teaching and Learning at UGA and the Law School at Mercer University, the Institute develops resources on basic areas of Georgia and federal law. These resources are then distributed across the state in a variety of ways including the State Bar of Georgia?s Pro Bono Project website. We hope you will find this presentation to be useful and informative. Please be advised, however, that this presentation is designed to provide general information only and does not substitute for legal advice. At the conclusion of the presentation you will find a list of organizations which may be able to provide assistance to those who have legal issues relevant to the topic of this presentation. We encourage viewers to contact these organizations for help. Also, please consult the Pro Bono Project website for a list of other presentations available for viewing. Content Detail

  By:

  Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Georgia Court Rules

  These web pages provide the court rules for the following Georgia Courts: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Superior Court, State Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, and Magistrate Court Content Detail

  By:

  Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts

• Juror's Manual - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet

  The purpose of this brochure is to provide people who are going to serve on a jury with general background information which will hopefully lead to a clearer understanding and better appreciation of the judicial process. Content Detail

  By:

  State Bar of Georgia

• Learn about How the Courts Work

  Content Detail

  By:

  Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Military Law: An Overview

  All persons serving in the Armed Forces of the United States are subject to military law at all times. This web site contains a brief overview of military law and links to the sources of military law. Content Detail

  By:

  Cornell Legal Information Institute

• Military Law Research Links

  This website contains links that are useful for understanding military law and the court system, for resolving legal issues and finding source documents. Content Detail

  By:

  Military Times Media Group

• The Georgia Court System

  These web pages describe the Georgia court system and provides basic information about the jurisdiction of each of the courts (the kinds of cases each of the different courts may take). Content Detail

  By:

  Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts

• Tort Reform and You the Consumer

  How tort reform legislation effects you as a consumer Content Detail

  By:

  Barnes Law Group

• Answering a Claim in Magistrate Court - A Short Video Presentation

  A defendant has 30 days after service to answer a claim in Magistrate Court. He or she may deny the claim and request a hearing or consent to the claim and set up payments. Content Detail

  By:

  Council Of Magistrate Court Judges