The Georgia Constitutional Convention of 1777, renounces its royal charter, by promulgating its first constitution, Articles 1, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13. 41, 56, 59, 60, 61, of which state:

• “The legislative, executive, and judiciary departments shall be separate and distinct, so that neither exercise the powers properly belonging to the other. 
• “The house of assembly shall have power to make such laws and regulations as may be conducive to the good order and wellbeing of the State; provided such laws and regulations be not repugnant to the true intent and meaning of any rule or regulation contained In this constitution. 
• “All laws and ordinances shall be three times read, and each reading shall be on different and separate days … .
• “All male white inhabitants, of the age of twenty-one years, and possessed in his own right of ten pounds value, and liable to pay tax in this State, or being of any mechanic trade, and shall have been resident six months in this State, shall have a right to vote… .
• “No person … who holds any title of nobility lie entitled to a vote, or be capable of serving as a representative, or hold any post of honor, profit, or trust in this State, whilst such person claims his title of nobility … .
• “The manner of electing representatives shall be by ballot … the ballots shall be compared in public with the list of votes that have been taken, and the majority immediately declared. …; [emphasis added]
• “The jury shall be judges of law, as well as of fact, and shall not be allowed to bring in a special verdict; but if all or any of the jury have any doubts concerning points of law, they shall apply to the bench, who shall each of them in rotation give their opinion. [emphasis added]
• “All persons whatever shall have the free exercise of their religion; provided it be not repugnant to the peace and safety of the State; and shall not, unless by consent, support any teacher or teachers except those of their own profession. 
• “Excessive fines shall not be levied, not excessive bail demanded. 
• “The principles of the habeas-corpus act shall be a part of this constitution. 
• “Freedom of the press and trial by jury to remain inviolate forever.”

       [restored 11/10/2024]