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Justice of the Peace Manual February 2002 CHAPTER 1
Justices of the peace are elected county officials. The Texas Constitution provides that each county shall have one to eight justice precincts depending on its population. [1] The major responsibility of this office is to preside over the justice court, which also may function as a small claims court. A justice of the peace is elected from each justice precinct in the county to serve a four-year term, and until a qualified successor is elected. The number of justice precincts in a county is determined by the population of the county, population of cities within a precinct and/or the county commissioners court. [2] If the most recent federal census shows the county population to be at least 50,000, then the county is divided into at least four, but not more than eight justice precincts. Counties with a population of 18,000 to 50,000 are divided into at least two, but not more than eight precincts. [3] For those counties with a population of less than 18,000, only one precinct will be designated, unless the commissioners court determines more are needed, in which case the court can designate up to four additional precincts. In counties with a population of less than 150,000, in any precinct in which there is a city with a population of 18,000 or more, two justices of the peace shall be elected. In counties with a population of 150,000 or more, each precinct can contain more than one justice of the peace court. Any county that was divided into four or more precincts on November 2, 1999, shall continue to be divided into not less than four precincts.
Commissioners courts are responsible for dividing and designating justice precincts within a county.
Justices of the peace are elected to four-year terms. If there is not more than one justice per precinct, the elections of all precincts will coincide with the election of the governor. When there is more than one justice per precinct, place two justices will run for election at the same time as the governor. Place one justices will run for election the two years after place two justices run. Such staggered terms provide for smoother post-election transition periods.
When justice of the peace boundaries are changed, justices in office or those who have already been elected to serve beginning on or after the effective date of the change, shall still serve for the term elected, even if the boundary change results in: placing their residence outside the new boundaries; abolishing the precinct; or having excess justices within a precinct temporarily. [5] If a boundary change creates a vacancy in the office, the commissioners court is responsible for appointing a justice of the peace until the next general election. [6]
To be eligible to hold the office of justice of the peace, a person must: be a citizen of the United States; be at least 18 years of age on the day the term starts or on the date of appointment; not have been determined mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court; not have been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities; as a general rule, have resided continually in Texas for one year and in the precinct for the preceding six months; and must not have been declared ineligible for the office. [7] An individual is also disqualified from holding the office of justice of
the peace if convicted of having given or offered a bribe to procure election or appointment. [8] The office of justice of the peace is specifically exempt from the constitutional mandate against one person holding more than one civil office. [9] The separation of powers doctrine, however, prohibits a member of the judicial branch, such as a justice of the peace, from serving concurrently as a member of another branch of government. [10] The determining factor is whether the second position is in the nature of an officer or employee. In Ruiz v. State (Civ. App. 1976) 540 S.W. 2d 809, the court decided that a teacher was an employee and not an office, and thus an individual could serve as justice of the peace and teach at the same time. After taking office, instances arise when individual justices of the peace must disqualify themselves from acting in a particular case. Such an instance occurs if either of the parties are related to the justice by affinity (by marriage) or consanguinity (by blood) within the third degree, as determined by Chapter 573 of the Government Code. [11] However, a justice, when disqualified because of relationship to one of the parties, cannot dismiss the suit. [12] Instead, the justice must transfer the cause. [13]
Justices are required to complete an 80-hour course in the performance of their duties within one year of being elected and a 20-hour course each succeeding year. The courses may be completed in an accredited state-supported school of higher education. [14] Failure to complete the required courses could result in removal of the justice from office. Justices receive certification through the Texas Justice Court Training Center at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
Each justice of the peace is required to give bond, payable to the county judge, in an amount not to exceed $5,000. [15]The bond is for: faithfully and impartially discharging the duties required by law; and promptly paying money received to the appropriate party.
The bond must be executed with at least two good and sufficient sureties or with a solvent surety company authorized to do business in Texas. The bond is recorded and kept by the county clerk. [16] In addition, the bond can be paid out of the county's General Fund. [17] Any individual or company that has provided a surety for a justice of the peace can ask the commissioners court to be relieved from the bond. If the commissioners court agrees to relieve the surety from the bond (which is issued by the county clerk and served by the sheriff or a constable), the justice of the peace ceases all functions except preserving the records and property of the office. The office becomes vacant if the justice fails to provide commissioners court with a new bond within 20 days of receiving notice that his or her original bond has been forfeited. [18] A commissioners court that finds that a bond approved by the court is insufficient for any reason shall: 1. require the justice of the peace to give a new bond or additional security; and 2. have the justice of the peace cited to appear at a term of the court not earlier than the sixth day after the date of service and take any action the court considers best for the public interest. Action taken by the commissioners court under this section is final and may not be appealed. [19]
The statutes neither authorize or require errors and omissions insurance for justices of the peace. This type of insurance policy insures an official against claims made by third parties, alleging negligence in the performance of, or the failure to perform professional services. Suits against justices are brought against their bond and against the sureties on the bond; therefore, professional liability insurance is not necessary. The district or the county attorney is required to represent justices in suits brought by entities other than the county the justice serves, involving acts committed in the performance of their duties. In such instances, commissioners courts are authorized to employ and pay private counsel if commissioners consider such counsel necessary and proper. [20]
A citizen of the state who has lived in the county for six months and who is not under indictment in the county, may institute proceedings to remove a justice from office by filing a petition in the district court where the justice resides. The petition must: be addressed to the district judge; set forth the alleged grounds for removal; cite the time and place of the occurrence of each act alleged as a grounds for removal; and be sworn to at or prior to the time filed, by at least one of the parties filing it. [21] Any individual can make a complaint to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct concerning a justice of the peace. The commission then determines if the complaint has merit and what action, if any, should be taken. [22]
Justices of the peace may be removed from office by the judge of the district court for: incompetence; official misconduct; habitual drunkenness; or failure to adequately give bond. [23] Incompetence Incompetence means: gross ignorance of official duties; gross carelessness in discharging duties; having a mental or physical defect, not existing when elected, resulting in the justice's being unfit or unable to promptly and properly discharge his or her duties; or failing to complete an 80-hour course on job duties within one year of being elected and a 20-hour course each succeeding year.
Official Misconduct Official misconduct means intentional, unlawful behavior in relation to
job duties. The term includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal or neglect in performing required job duties. [25] The charge of misconduct could include: violating the nepotism provision, which basically prevents justices from benefiting anyone related to them within the second degree by marriage (affinity) or within the third degree by blood (consanguinity); or trying to benefit themselves or harm someone else by intentionally or knowingly violating a law relating to their office or by misusing government property, services, personnel or other things of value. [26] Justices of the peace are required to give payers in criminal cases a receipt. [27] The receipt must show: the amount paid; the date paid; the style and number of the case; an itemization of costs; the payer's name; and the official signature of the officer receiving the money. Receipt books are provided by the county and must contain duplicate official receipts. The receipts also must bear a distinct number and facsimile of the county seal. Receipt books must be delivered to the county auditor at the end of each month. The auditor is required to check the books to make sure the justice of the peace properly disposes of fines and fees. [28] A justice of the peace who violates the provisions cited above can be removed from office on the petition of the county or district attorney.
Habitual Drunkenness Becoming intoxicated means drinking enough alcoholic beverages to result in drunkenness, even if not on duty. However, intoxication is not a ground for removal if it appears at the justice's trial that drinking an alcoholic beverage at the direction and prescription of a licensed physician caused his or her intoxication. [30] Failing to Give Bond Failing to give adequate bond can also be cause for removal. Failure to
give adequate bond means: failing to execute a bond timely; or failing to give a new bond or an additional bond or security when required by law. [31] The district judge has the power to remove a justice from office only after a jury finds the justice guilty of misconduct or incompetence. [32] A county commissioners court has no authority to remove a justice. [33] The district judge can temporarily suspend a justice and appoint someone else to perform the justice's duties. A suspended justice who eventually wins the case is entitled to receive back pay and other benefits missed unless the court can show cause for not restoring the benefits. [34]
A justice of the peace office can become vacant because of: of an existing justice from office; creation of a new justice precinct; a change in precinct boundaries; or a justice's announcement or candidacy for another office of profit or trust while having an unexpired term in excess of one year. [35] Justices, however, are not prevented from completing a term due to a precinct boundary change. [36] Vacancies are filled by a majority vote of the commissioners court members who are present and vote. The person appointed by the commissioners court to fill the vacancy shall hold office until the next general election. [37] If the justice of the peace office is vacant in a precinct or if the justice is unable or unwilling to perform the duties of the office, the nearest justice in the county may temporarily perform those duties. [38] If a justice is temporarily unable to perform official duties because of absence, recusal, illness, injury or other disability, the county judge may appoint a qualified person to serve as temporary justice for the duration of the disability. [39] The temporary justice receives the same amount of compensation as the
regular justice. The county judge must try to appoint someone who has served as a justice of the peace for at least four and one-half years and who has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude. If the county judge cannot find someone who meets those qualifications and agrees to the appointment, the judge may appoint any voter qualified under the Election Code. Excluding personnel decisions and significant changes in the office, a temporary justice has all the rights and powers of the justice of the peace. If a justice is disqualified from a civil case, is sick or is absent from the precinct, the parties may agree on a person to try the case. If agreement is not reached, the county judge may appoint someone to try the case.
Justices of the peace within the same county can hold court for each other and exchange benches when they deem it is expedient. [41]
Location, Furnishings and Supplies
The commissioners court sets the amount of compensation, office and travel expenses and all other allowances for justices of the peace. [42] Upon the request of a justice handling an average of more than 50 cases per month (during the 12 months immediately preceding the request), the commissioners court, at the beginning of the next fiscal year, shall furnish suitable office space and the necessary telephones, equipment and supplies. [43] A justice of the peace of a precinct in a county with a population of less than 30,000 may hold court in the county courthouse or another facility provided by the commissioners court for that purpose. If requested by the justice, the commissioners court may provide and furnish a suitable place in the courthouse or another facility for the justice to hold court.
Generally, a justice of the peace court may not be housed or conducted in a building located outside the court's precinct. There are two exceptions to this provision in the law. First, a justice of the peace in a county with a population of less than 30,000 may hold court in the county courthouse or another facility provided by the commissioners court. [45] The second exception applies to a justice of the peace court
situated in the county courthouse in a county with a population of at least 220,000 persons but no more than 230,000 persons. [46] A commissioners court also can provide auxiliary courtrooms or offices to justices. [47] Various statutes provide for facilities and locations that are dependent upon a county's population. These statutes are enacted with specific counties in mind and are often referred to as bracket laws. For example, Local Government Code, Section 305.001, allows a county and city to jointly provide a building to house certain offices, including a justice of the peace office, if: there is an incorporated city within the county with a population of 2,000 or more; and the city is located more than 10 miles from the county seat.
Assistants and Other Office Help
When justices of the peace need assistants or office help, they must apply to the commissioners court for the authority to appoint them. [48] The application to the court must be sworn to and specify: the number of employees needed; the position(s) to be filled; the amount to be paid; and if the county population is more than 190,000, the officer shall apply for the authority to appoint any other kinds of employees. The commissioners court evaluates the request. [49] If the commissioners court believes the request is warranted, it may order and authorize the number of people to be hired. After the commissioners court order is entered in the minutes, a justice may legally fill the position(s). [50] If the commissioners court determines the need for and approves the position(s), it cannot attempt to influence a justice concerning who is appointed. [51] After a commissioners court authorizes a justice to appoint employees, a justice is not required to submit the names for prior commissioners court approval. [52] Moreover, the court cannot refuse to authorize or confirm an appointment for personal reasons. The court's responsibility is to
evaluate the necessity of the appointment. Likewise, if the necessity for an employee exists, the commissioners court cannot arbitrarily refuse to authorize the appointment. [53] A justice also can be provided secretarial help if the commissioners court believes the county's financial condition is adequate and determines help is necessary. [54]
The commissioners court sets the amount of compensation, office and travel expenses and all other allowances for justices of the peace. The court does so each year during the regular budget hearing and adoption process. [55] The commissioners court also can set the amount justices receive for travel. If duties require individual justices to travel from their offices or court on a continuing basis, the commissioners court can set a monthly allowance. However, the allowance must be reasonably related to the expenses incurred. It is the responsibility of the commissioners court to make that determination. [56]
[1] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 5, §18. [2] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 5, §18. [3] Chambers and Randall Counties have to be divided, from time to time for the convenience of the people, into at least two but not more than six precincts. [4] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 16, §65. [5] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 5, §18. [6] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 5, §18. [7] V.T.C.A., Election Code, § 141.001; V.T.C.A., Election Code, §145.003. [8] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 16, §5. [9] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 16, §40. [10] Vernon's Ann. Tex. Const. Art. 2, §1. [11] V.T.C.A. Government Code, §21.005. [12] Gains v. Barr (1984) 60 T. 676. [13] Morris v. Foreaker (1891), 4 App. C.C. Sec. 37, 15 S.W. 37. [14] V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.005. [15] V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.001. [16] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §88.001. [17] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §152.001. [18] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §§88.002, 88.003, 88.004, 88.005. [19] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §88.007. [20] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §157.901. [21] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §87.015. [22] Vernon's Ann. Const. Art. 5, §1-a.
[23] Vernon's Ann. Const. Art. 5, §24. V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §§87.012, 87.013, 87.014. [24] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §87.011; 1 Texas S. B. 495, 77th Leg., Reg. Sess. (2001); V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.005. [25] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §87.011. [26] V.T.C.A., Government Code §§573.002, 573.041, 573.044, 573.081, 573.084.; V.T.C.A., Penal Code, §39.02. [27] Vernon's Ann. C.C.P. art. 103.010. [28] Vernon's Ann. C.C.P. art. 103.011. [29] Vernon's Ann. C.C.P. art. 103.012. [30] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §87.013. [31] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §87.014. [32] Vernon's Ann. Texas Const. Art. 5, §24. State ex rel. Hale v. O'Meara (Civ. App. 1934) 745 S.W. 2d 146. [33] Childress County v. Sachse (Civ. App. 1958) 310 S.W. 2d 414, ref. n.r.e. 158 Tex. 371, 312 S.W. 2d 380. [34] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §87.017. AG Opinion H-227, 1974. [35] Vernon's Ann. Texas Const. Art. 5, §18. Vernon's Ann. Texas Const. Art. 16, § 65. [36] Vernon's Ann. Texas Const. Art. 5, §18. V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 81.021. AG Opinion H-564, 1975. [37] Vernon's Ann. Texas Const. Art. 5, Sec. 28. V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, 87.041. [38] V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.052. [39] V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.055(b). [40] V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.055(a). [41] V.T.C.A., Government Code, § 27.054. [42] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §152.011. [43] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, Sec. 291.004. [44] V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.051(f). [45] V.T.C.A., Government Code, §27.051(f). [46] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §292.001(d). [47] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §292.004. [48] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §151.001. [49] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §151.002. [50] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §151.003. [51] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §151.004. [52] AG Opinion S-12, 1953. [53] AG Opinion O-305, 1939. [54] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §151.901. [55] V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, §§152.011, 152.013. [56] AG Opinion H-992, 1977. Carole Keeton Strayhorn Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Window on State Government Contact Us Privacy and Security Policy
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