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
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
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Spanish / Español
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 / Español
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
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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).
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).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
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 / Español
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
Sources of Law
This document provides an introduction to different sources for the law, answering the following questions: This document tells you the following:
Where do laws come from? Who makes laws?
Can laws ever be changed? What are constitutional laws? What are statutory laws?
What are the limits on lawmaking powers? What are case 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 / Español
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 / Español
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
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
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
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Spanish / Español
Georgia Code (Unannotated)
(Separate Website)
This web site allows you to search the Georgia Code (the legal statutes of Georgia) by word or by Code section (if you know the number of the section you would like to pull up). The Statutes posted are current through the 2001 Regular Session of the General Assembly. However, the Statutes posted from the 2001 Regular Session may not yet be in effect. Users of this service should note that the effective date of the Statutes are not listed on this service and are advised to verify the effective date of any Statutes posted on this Web Site. Any person or entity who relies on information obtained solely from this Site does so at his or her own risk.
By: Georgia.Net
Georgia Law Links Web Site
(Separate Website)
Web links to hundreds of legal resources including reference libraries with cases, codes, and court decisions, attorney listings, government agencies and resources, legal associations and organizations, law student resources, listings for experts and consultants, legal office supplies, legal news organizations, and legal forms.
By: GeorgiaJuris.com
Tort Reform and You the Consumer
(Separate Website)
How tort reform legislation effects you as a consumer
By: Barnes Law Group
Alternative Dispute Resolution
This introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution describes one method of resolving conflicts outside of the courts system, 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 / Español
Mediation
(Separate Website)
Mediation gives people a quick, inexpensive way to work out their differences while addressing everyone’s needs and interests. Decisions reached in mediation are created by the people who are in conflict, not imposed on them by a judge. Mediation: (1) encourages direct communication between the parties, (2) helps people decide for themselves, (3) allows for the expression of emotions, (4) defuses anger, (5) explores creative means of solving problems, (6) promotes cooperation, (7) preserves the strengths of an ongoing relationship, (8) helps people accept the consequences of their own decisions, (9) develops a model for resolution of future conflicts. This web site contains more information about mediation.
By: American Bar Association
Mediation
This document answers basic questions relating to mediation and describes the kinds of problems that The Justice Center of Atlanta has helped to resolve.
By: The Justice Center of Atlanta
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
Contingent Fee System
(Separate Website)
Keys to the Courthouse - Quick Facts about the Contingent Fee System. This web page provides information about the contingent fee system - a system for clients to pay lawyers a percentage of the judgment that they receive if they win a law suit (rather than an hourly rate based on the amount of time the lawyer spends working on the case). This form of payment system is used most often for personal injury cases.
By: Georgia Civil Justice Foundation, Pro Se Litigants Committee of the Judicial Council of Georgia, Administrative Office of the Courts
How to Choose a Lawyer - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet
(Separate Website)
There comes a time in nearly everyone’s life where the services of a lawyer are required. To help in this process, this pamphlet was prepared by the State Bar of Georgia to aid and assist individuals and businesses in choosing a lawyer.
By: State Bar of Georgia
Lawyers and Legal Fees - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet
(Separate Website)
This pamphlet answers common questions about lawyers and legal fees including: (1) What is a lawyer? (2) How does one become a lawyer? (3)Can non-lawyers practice law? (4) What is the basis for a legal fee?
By: State Bar of Georgia
Learn about Civil Justice and the Legal System
(Separate Website)
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.
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
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
When You Need a Lawyer
(Separate Website)
Almost everything we do—from making a purchase, to driving a car, to interacting with others—is affected by the law in some way. But clearly we don’t need a lawyer for all of these everyday interactions. When do you need a lawyer? When can (or should) you handle a matter on your own? This web site helps you answer these basic questions.
By: American Bar Association
A Citizens's Guide to Filing Appeals in the Court of Appeals of Georgia
(Separate Website)
This web site is a guide to assist parties who are representing themselves without the help of a lawyer with the basic procedural steps that must be followed in filing appeals to the Court of Appeals of Georgia. The web site answers common questions and provides forms for parties who are representing themselves in court without the help of a lawyer.
By: Court of Appeals of Georgia
Georgia Consumer's Guide to the Magistrate Court
(Separate Website)
If you have been unable to resolve a dispute with a person or a business, you may take your problem to Magistrate's Court. Magistrate's Court, also called Small Claims Court, is an informal court that handles money claims for less than $15,000.00. This court offers a quick and inexpensive process for complaint resolution.
By: Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs
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
How Courts Work in Civil Cases
This pamphlet describes step by step how courts work in civil cases (filing the complaint or petition, serving the complaint on the defendant, filing an answer, discovery and collection of evidence, hearing or trial, court decision, appeal and collection of judgment).
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
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, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Learn about Civil Justice and the Legal System
(Separate Website)
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.
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
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
Modification of a Court Order in a Family Law Case
This document explains how to modify a court order in a family law case.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Advocacy Handbook for Friends and Families of Georgia Prisoners
(Separate Website)
Georgians for Equal Justice has prepared an Advocacy Handbook to assist the friends and families of Georgia prisoners penetrate the GDC bureaucracy and become more effective advocates for their imprisoned loved ones. The handbook also includes an exhaustive directory for GDC administrators and facilities, suggestions for continuing action on criminal justice issues, and a directory of advocacy and activist organizations of interest to those with incarcerated loved ones in Georgia.
By: Southern Center for Human Rights
Getting Uncle Sam to Enforce Your Civil Rights
(Separate Website)
This resource describes where and when to file your complaint if you believe that you have been discriminated against and want to file a complaint with the Federal Government.
By: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to File a Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties This website provides instructions on filing a discrimination complaint with The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security.
By: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Protecting Your Health and Safety: Prisoners' Rights
(Separate Website)
Designed to help inmates who are not represented by an attorney, Protecting Your Health & Safety explains the legal rights that inmates have regarding health and safety, including the right to receive medical care and the right to be free from inhumane treatment such as excessive force by prison guards. It also explains to inmates how they can enforce those rights when they are violated. It provides an overview of the legal system, a glossary of legal terms and explains how to file and litigate pro se complaints in federal courts. It also includes a list of federal courts and resources groups for prison inmates. It does not cover criminal matters. The manual was written by Robert E. Toone, formerly a staff attorney at the Southern Center for Human Rights where he worked on prisoner-related civil rights actions for more than four years.
By: Southern Poverty Law Center
Avoiding Living Trust Scams: A Quick Guide for Advocates
(Separate Website)
Dishonest living trust salespeople prey on seniors' fears that after their deaths, their life savings and assets will be stolen by the government or by predatory probate attorneys. These salespeople use high-pressure tactics and deceptive claims to coerce vulnerable seniors into buying a product that many of them don't need. Seniors are bombarded with advertisements, phone calls, and pitches from door-to-door salespeople insisting that living trusts work best for everyone. This may be true for some. For others, buying a living trust is simply a waste of limited resources.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Georgia Taxpayer Bill of Rights
(Separate Website)
Basic information about your rights as a taxpayer, your rights during an audit, your rights to dispute any determinations that you owe taxes.
By: Georgia Department of Revenue
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Georgia Taxes
(Separate Website)
This web site answers common questions that Georgians have about their taxes.
By: Georgia Department of Revenue
Frequently Asked Tax Questions and Answers
(Separate Website)
Find answers to common tax questions on the IRS web site by reviewing the categories of questions or doing a search by keyword or category.
By: Internal Revenue Service
Choose How to File Your Tax Return
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
IRS.gov - The Web Site of the Internal Revenue Service
(Separate Website)
This web site contains tax information for (1) Individuals, (2) Businesses, (3) Charities & Non-Profits, (4) Government Entities, (5) Tax Professionals, and (6) Retirement Plans.
By: Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Resources for Low-income Taxpayers in Georgia
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Tax Publications from the Georgia Department of Revenue
(Separate Website)
Download tax guides and other information from the web site of the Georgia Department of Revenue, including: (1) The Tax Guide for Georgia Citizens, (2) Property Tax Guide for the Georgia Taxpayer, (3) Employer's Tax Guide, and (4) Estate Taxes Information, and much more. The publications may be downloaded in PDF format only.
By: Georgia Department of Revenue
IRS.gov - The Web Site of the Internal Revenue Service
(Separate Website)
This web site contains tax information for (1) Individuals, (2) Businesses, (3) Charities & Non-Profits, (4) Government Entities, (5) Tax Professionals, and (6) Retirement Plans.
By: Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Tax Information for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed
(Separate Website)
This section offers a broad range of resources across federal and state agencies, as well as industry/profession specific information for self-employed entrepreneurs, employers and businesses. The "Quick Links" section will provide you with fast access to general business topics.
You may also order the Small Business/Self Employed Tax Calendar, Introduction to Federal Taxes CD-ROM, Virtual Small Business Workshop CD-ROM, and the Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM online.
By: Internal Revenue Service
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Spanish / Español
Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
(Separate Website)
Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the President declares their location to be a major disaster area. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS may grant additional time to file returns and pay taxes. Both individuals and businesses in a presidentially-declared disaster area can get a faster refund by claiming losses related to the disaster on the tax return for the previous year, usually by filing an amended return.
By: Internal Revenue Service
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LegalAid-GA.org provides general information only. This is not legal advice and cannot replace legal advice. You can get legal advice only from a lawyer. Deadlines are extremely important in most legal matters. You may lose important legal rights if you do not hire an attorney immediately to advise you. Viewing this web site or sending an e-mail message through this web site does NOT create an attorney-client relationship.
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