State government Alaska

the center of state government in juneau. large buildings in background are, left right: court plaza building (known colloquially spam can ), state office building (behind), alaska office building, john h. dimond state courthouse, , alaska state capitol. many of smaller buildings in foreground occupied state government agencies.

like other u.s. states, alaska governed republic, 3 branches of government: executive branch consisting of governor of alaska , other independently elected constitutional officers; legislative branch consisting of alaska house of representatives , alaska senate; , judicial branch consisting of alaska supreme court , lower courts.

the state of alaska employs approximately 16,000 people statewide.

the alaska legislature consists of 40-member house of representatives , 20-member senate. senators serve four-year terms , house members two. governor of alaska serves four-year terms. lieutenant governor runs separately governor in primaries, during general election, nominee governor , nominee lieutenant governor run on same ticket.

alaska s court system has 4 levels: alaska supreme court, alaska court of appeals, superior courts , district courts. superior , district courts trial courts. superior courts courts of general jurisdiction, while district courts hear types of cases, including misdemeanor criminal cases , civil cases valued $100,000.

the supreme court , court of appeals appellate courts. court of appeals required hear appeals lower-court decisions, including regarding criminal prosecutions, juvenile delinquency, , habeas corpus. supreme court hears civil appeals , may in discretion hear criminal appeals.