Civil Court Cases
(Separate Website)
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.
By: Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
How Courts Work
(Separate Website)
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
By: American Bar Association
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).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
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).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
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).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
How to Sue in Magistrate Court 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.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Read this in:
Korean / 한국어
,
Spanish / Espaņol
Georgia State Court System
The Georgia Court System
(Separate Website)
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).
By: Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
Georgia Court Rules
(Separate Website)
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
By: Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
Juror's Manual - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet
(Separate Website)
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.
By: State Bar of Georgia
How to Be a Good Witness - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet
(Separate Website)
You have a very important job to do as a witness in a lawsuit. Your role is not only important to the party for whom you appear and yourself, but also for the American system of justice. For a jury or judge to make a correct and wise decision, they must decide on facts stated by witnesses who have sworn to tell the truth. Understanding what you are expected to do and how to do it will ease your anxiety and make you a better witness.
By: State Bar of Georgia
Our Federal Legal System
Changing Our Laws
This document provides an introduction to how our laws change over time. It discusses how the different sources for the law, including consitutional law, statutory law, and administrative law, are changed. This document is excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Understanding the Federal Courts
(Separate Website)
This publication was developed by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide an introduction to the federal judicial system, its organization, and its relationship to the legislative and executive branches of the government.
This publication was developed by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide an introduction to the federal judicial system, its organization, and its relationship to the legislative and executive branches of the government.
By: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
The Basics of Litigation
How litigation works
By: Barnes Law Group
Fair Treatment by the Government: Due Process
When you deal with the government you have the right to be treated fairly and to have a fair process for protecting your rights. These rights are contained in the "Due Process" clauses of the Fifth Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This document explains more about your rights to fair treatment. The document is an excerpt from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
The Courts, Part 1: An Overview of Courts and Legal Disputes
This document discusses why you might need to go to court and what a court is. It also discusses the two general kinds of disputes courts are asked to decide - civil and criminal disputes. This document is excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
The Courts, Part 2: Which Court Can Hear Your Case?
This document discusses the two general types of jurisdiction that courts must have in order to have the authority to hear a case. It also explains the Georgia court system and the federal court system. This document is excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
The Courts, Part 3: How Courts Work and Make Laws
This document discusses what judges and juries do. It also discusses how courts make and change laws. This document is excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Military Law Research Links
(Separate Website)
This website contains links that are useful for understanding military law and the court system, for resolving legal issues and finding source documents.
By: Military Times Media Group
Military Law: An Overview
(Separate Website)
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.
By: Cornell Legal Information Institute
Tort Reform and You the Consumer
(Separate Website)
How tort reform legislation effects you as a consumer
By: Barnes Law Group
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
LegalAid-GA is a project of Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Georgia Legal Services Program and the Pro Bono Project of the State Bar of Georgia. The project is funded by the Legal Services Corporation and the Georgia Access to Justice Project and produced in cooperation with Pro Bono Net, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and legal service organizations and government agencies throughout Georgia and the United States.
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