The three branches of the Virginia state government.

(As presented by Ms. Hughitt) “Ummmm…” “Isn’t that like the President or something?”

Not quite…

 So guys, what are the three branches of Virginia’s state government? ◦ What can you tell me about each of them?

 Oh, and just where does the President fit into all of this?

Oh that’s right…

 The President is at the National level of our government, isn’t he?

 What branch of government is President Obama the head of? (This means in charge of.)  Who is the head of this branch at the state level?

The Governor of course!

 The Governor is the head of the executive branch at the state level of government.  Each state has it’s own Governor.

 So does that mean that we, Virginia, have our own Governor too?

Like a boss!

 Yeah, we sure do!

 So who is Virginia’s Governor?

◦ Anybody know?

Governor Bob McDonnell

 No, not McDonald… ◦ McDonnell 

Okay… so?

 So now we know the who of the Executive branch of Virginia’s government … let’s talk about the what!

 What is so special about the Executive branch of government?

 What does it do?

The purpose of the Executive branch…  Well, just like in the national level of our government, the purpose of the Executive branch is to make sure that laws are carried out.

◦ What’s the difference?

◦ Well the Governor enforces the state laws and the President enforces the national laws.

The purpose of the Judicial branch…  So what’s the deal with the Judicial branch of Virginia’s government?

◦ What does it do? ◦ ◦ ◦ What purpose does it have?

The judicial branch does two main things: It decides cases about people accused of breaking the law.

It also decides whether or not a law agrees with Virginia’s Constitution.

So what’s the deal with the Judicial branch?

  The national level of the Judicial branch or system is headed by the United States Supreme Court.

The state level of the Judicial branch or system is headed by the Virginia Supreme Court. ◦ There are other courts in Virginia, but the Virginia Supreme Court is the “highest” and has the most authority of any court in Virginia.

The Court System

• • • Virginia’s court system functions kind of like a pyramid. Most of the power is at the top and the least amount of power is at the bottom.

The Virginia Supreme Court is the “highest” court in Virginia.

The Supreme Court can overturn the ruling of a lower court.

Virginia Supreme Court Court of Appeals Of Virginia The Circuit Court General District Court Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts

So who makes these laws?

 Legislative branch of Virginia’s state government is in charge of making state laws.

So who is in the Legislative branch?

 George Allen