Justices of the Peace

About the Offices

Justices of the Peace, representing each justice precinct within the county, are elected to serve a four-year term. Each Justice of the Peace is required to obtain 80 hours of continuing education during their first year in office and 20 hours annually thereafter. The Justices of the Peace are the presiding officers of the justice courts, also called small claims courts. 

The Justice of the Peace can hear lawsuits against individuals or companies for money damages (up to a maximum of $20,000) suffered as a result of accidents, property damage, or breach of a contract or agreement. Justices of the Peace also hear "forcible detainer cases" commonly referred to as "evictions". Small claims cases are filed in Justice Court. 

Duties of the Justices of the Peace

Small Claims Court: Presides over small claims court cases, which involve disputes over money or property worth up to a certain limit. They facilitate the resolution of these disputes.

Evictions: Handles eviction cases, also known as forcible entry and detainer (FED) cases, in which landlords seek to regain possession of their property.

Traffic Violations: Has jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanor traffic cases, including traffic ticket violations.

Criminal Magistration: Conducts initial hearings for individuals who have been arrested, determining bail and ensuring that individuals understand their rights and charges.

Civil Cases: Handles civil cases involving disputes where the amount in controversy is up to $20,000.

Marriage Ceremonies: Officiate at weddings and perform marriage ceremonies.

Death Investigations: Conduct inquests and determine the cause of death in certain cases, especially when a death is sudden, unexplained, or due to unnatural causes.