Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-12
UNDER A 4 NEW LAW
The Jurisdiction Of The Justices of the
Peace Extended.
They Can Now Try Cases Where the
Amount Clainfea is $3OO-Bill
of Fees AMI Costs.

lumb1a, sitting in general term a few days
ago, made public a new bill of fees and
costs to be taxed and charged by justices
OF the peace in all civil suits, in accordance
with an act passed at the last session of
Congress, extending the jurisdiction of
these Justices and regulating the proceed
1ngs before them. The officers of the law
IN question are an important adjunct to the
District Supreme Court. especially SO now
that their powers have been enlarged, but
the general public, as a rule, are woefully
unfamiliar with the duties and the history
of the office.
The justices of the peace-flfteen in num-
ber-are appointed by the President and the
nominations must be confirmed by the Sem
ate. Two are assigned to Georgetown, one
in Tenleytown, one In Brightwood, one in
Anacostia and ten in Washington. The
term of office is for four years, subject to
removal for cause. The justices are re-
quired to take an oath for the faithful dis
charge of the duties of their office; they
must give bond that is fixed and approved
by the Supreme Court of the District of
Columbia and conform to the rules of prac-
tice prepared by the same.
Until recently justices Of the peace in the
District had jurisdiction in all civil cases
where the amount claimed to be due for
debt or damages arising out of contracts
sons or property. did not exceed 500, ex-
cept In cases involving the title to real
estate, actions TO recover damages for as
sault or assault and battery. malicious
peace or other officers for misconduct in
office or in actions for SANDER.
jurisdiction cannot be exercised by JUS
tices of the peace over crimes and offenses
to bail for final judgment. However, any
justice OF the peace may, on complaint I'M
der oath or actual view, issue warrants re-
turnable to the Police Court against persons
in the District.
Attendance of Witnesses.
These justices also have the power to
compel attendance of witnesses by attach
ment and to punish them by a fine not ex-
ceeding SO, or by Imprisonment for not
more than ten days, for refusing obedience
to a summons.
Any justice of the peace in all cases with
in his jurisdiction is authorized to try and
determine the matter in controversy and
give judgment according to law. But in
actions where the sum demanded exceeds
$50 either of the parties to the suit may
demand trial by jury. In such an event
the justice has the power to direct any con-
stable in the District to summon twelve
jurors.
Appeals to the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict may be taken from the judgment of a
justice of the peace, where the issue In
wolves a debt or demaad exceeding S..
Any justice of the peace, upon Indictment
and conviction of incompetency, habitual
drunkenness, corruption in Office or of any
other willful misconduct in the discharge of
powers of the office. The Supreme Court of
the District may remove justices of the
peace for cause.
A bill of fees and costs to be taxed and
n a rod " off 10 NAG n q
suits is fixed by the Supreme Court.
The act of Congress approved February
10 last. extending the jurisdiction of justices
of the peace and regulating he proceed
ings before them. provided chiefly that they
shall have jurisdiction ito try and determine
all civil pleas and actions, including attach
ment and repievin. when the amount claim
ed to be due or the value of the property
sought to be recovered shall not exceed
$500.
The advantages of this increase from
500 to 800 are important, perhaps the
chief being that the crowded condition of
the dCckets of the Supreme Court Is great
ly relieved. Heretofore. if any suit involved
an amount greater than 500, it was neces-
sary to file in the Supreme Court
The justices of the peace in Washington
1884, Emanuel NJ. Hewlett, appointed Au-
gust "a, 1894; Samuel c. Mills. appointed
January 10. 1891; John H. O'Donnell, ap-
pointed April 20, 1892; Lewis I. O'NeaL, ap-
pointed December Ii. 1892; Arson S. Tay-
lor, appointed March 8. 1891; Luke C.
Strider, appointed May 3, 1891; Charles F.
Scott. appointed June Il, 1894; Charles S.
Bundy, appointed June IL, 1894, and Will
lam c. Harper, appointed June ID, 1894
In Georgetown the Justices are: Joseph w.
Davis, appointed March Il, 1881, and Oliver
P. johnson, appointed August %, 1898.
Carroll W. Smith, appointed August %,
1894, ofIiciates in Uniontown. while the of
fees at Brightwood and Tenleytown are at
present vacant