FEDERAL LEVEL

(also called national government,

central government or simply

"the government")

Headquarters: Washington, D.C.

X. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

CONGRESS

U.S. Senate         House of Representatives

(100)                         ( 435)

6 Years                     2 Years

Y.  EXECUTIVE BRANCH

PRESIDENT

Vice-President

Cabinet

Law enforcement agents

Z. JUDICIAL BRANCH

U.S. SUPREME COURT

1 Chief Justice;

8 Associate Justices
 

STATE LEVEL

Headquarters for California:

Sacramento

STATE LEGISLATURE

State Senate           State Assembly

(40)                        (80)

4 Years                   2 Years

GOVERNOR

Cabinet

Law enforcement agents

STATE SUPREME COURT

1 Chief Justice;

6 Associate Justices

COUNTY LEVEL

Headquarters for Los Angeles County:

City of Los Angeles

(County Seat)

58 counties in California

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

(5)

4 Years

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Chief Administrative Officer

Law enforcement agents

SUPERIOR COURT

CITY LEVEL

(also called municipal government)

Headquarters for Los Angeles:

Civic Center (First and Spring

Streets) 88 in LA County

CITY COUNCIL

5 but 15 for City of L.A.

4 Years

MAYOR AND/OR CITY COUNCIL

City Manager

Law enforcement agents

MUNICIPAL COURT

SPECIAL DISTRICT LEVEL

(for example, community college school district; air pollution control district)

Headquarters: various offices

5000 in California

GOVERNING BOARD OF THE DISTRICT

(may be the county Board of Supervisors)

for example: L.A. Community College Board of Trustees

(number varies)

4 Years

GOVERNING BOARD of District or Board of Supervisors

(Administrative officials)

for example: Chancellor of the L.A. Community College District; Superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District

(Administrators make decisions

which may be appealed to Superior Court)