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• The state and federal government have a relationship… established through a constitution– A constitution sets up the framework of a
government and determines its powers and limitations
Mississippi Constitution of 1890
• Mississippi has operated under four constitutions
• The 1890 Constitution was written by 134 delegates who were mostly white, male, and democrat.
• This constitution never was submitted to the people for their approval
Principles of the MS Constitution
• Popular Sovereignty- “We the people…” The people set up the government and are “sovereign” over it. – People have the power!!
• Limited Government- Government is limited to the powers granted by the people. The government is not above the law but must exist under the rule of law
• Separation of Powers- Developed from the idea that too much power given to one person or group could threaten people’s freedom. – The governments powers are divided into
branches
• Checks and Balances-To make sure that one branch does not get to much power over the other
Changing the Constitution
• An amendment is a change in a document• The US constitution has only been amended 27
times….. The MS constitution of 1890 has been amended 121 times!!!!!
• The process: – Starts in the legislature where 2/3 of the members of
each house must approve the proposal– Proposal is put out for people to vote for or against
the amendment– Once approved it becomes apart of the constitution
State LegislatureFunction: To make laws
• Bicameral • 52 Senators, 122 State
Representatives elected from districts throughout the state
• Number of seats is determined by a process called apportionment… to make sure that one person’s vote in a district is worth as much as another person’s.. “one-man, one-vote rule”
• To make sure this is up to date a census is given
• After every national census the state legislature must reapportion
The Legislators• Four year terms, unlimited number of
terms• House – 21 years old – State resident for four years– County resident for two years before
election• Senate– 25 years old – State resident for four years– District resident for two years before
election• Cannot hold office if ever been
convicted of a serious crime
Legislative Sessions
• Meets every year in Jackson on the Tuesday following the first Monday in January– Regular Session– Lasts 125 days
• Governor can call special sessions to address specific issues.
Powers of the Legislature
• Make Laws• House: impeach the governor etc.. ; has
authority to choose governor fi no candidate receives a majority of the votes
• Senate: would try the case• Legislature has power to propose
constitutional amendments
Organization of the Legislature
• Presiding officer of the senate is the lieutenant governor (chosen by the people) If LT Governor is not there the president pro tempore does the job
• Presiding officer of the house is the speaker of the house (chosen by representatives)– They preside over the legislative sessions, enforce
and interpret rules, make committee assignments etc..
• Most of the work in the legislature is done through committees– Small group of senators or representatives who
study bills and make recommendations on those bills
• Many bills die because they are never discussed by committees
State Executive Branch
• Governor-enforces, executes, and administers the laws of the state– 35 years old, citizen of US for 20 years, resident of
state for at least 5 years before the election– Four year terms, can be re-elected
• Lieutenant Governor- Assumes governor’s duties if that office becomes vacant– Same time and same term as governor
• Attorney General• Secretary of State• State Treasurer and Auditor of Public Accounts
Mississippi Court System• Main duty-interpret and apply the law• Each court created by our constitution has its
own jurisdiction• Some courts have original jurisdiction-can hear
cases first• Appellate jurisdiction-review cases on appeal
from lower courts• Court system consists of: State supreme court, an
intermediate court of appeals, circuit courts and chancery courts
Supreme Court
• Highest court in state and hears appeals from circuit and chancery courts
• Nine justices elected to 8 year terms from three supreme court districts (northern, central, southern)
Court of Appeals
• To ease the workload of the supreme court• Ten judges elected for staggered 8 year terms
for each congressional districts
Circuit Courts• Major trial courts in the state• 22 Circuit Court districts in the state• Have original jurisdiction• They handle felonies, serious crimes like murder• Decisions (verdicts) made by a jury
Chancery Courts
• Jurisdiction over matters like divorce and alimony, child custody and support, wills and estates, and cases of insanity.
Lower Courts
• County, family, youth, justice, and municipal courts• Hear both criminal and civil cases, misdemeanors, some
felony charges, and juvenile cases• Municipal courts serve cities and handle violations of
city ordinances