California Government Essay, Research Paper

I. Describe the and makeup of the 3 branches of the California Government. A. Senate(upper-house)1. Has 40 members elected for a 4-year term of office.(2 term limit)2. Presiding officer Lieutenant governor. B. Assembly(lower-house)1. Has 80 members chosen for a 2-year term of office.(3 term limit)2. Presiding Officer Speaker. C. Judiciary 1. Court Structurea. Trial Courts

1. Municipal (most local)- deals with minor infractions such as misdemeanors and crimes not punishable by imprisonment or death. Prop 220 allows counties to combine municipal with superior courts.2. Superior Courts (58:1 for each county)- deals with more serious crimes, felonies punishable with imprisonment or death. Grand juries are used for determination of sufficient evidence to warrant a trail.b. California Supreme Court