Where To Find A Justice Of The Peace

By Patricia Foster


Civil justice cases and minor infractions occur at a pace that overtakes the capabilities of the limited number of high courts. However, most of these complaints need not at all fester or reach that far. They may be capably resolved by a Justice of The Peace Salem.

JPs are appointed or elected personages in specific precincts or districts. Generally, though actualities vary in all states, their term lasts for at most four years. Moreover, they need not be licensed or even practicing lawyers. In fact, most JPs are not at all legally trained, though in some respects they may be asked to take a course or two in a judicial college.

The JP has quite a wide range of duties outlined in his job description. For instance, aside from the civil infractions, they can be asked to perform civil marriages. Nowadays, they are often busy administering same sex marriages, since some religious officials do not recognize it and the task is therefore nearly wholly delegated to civil administrators, who may be penalized if they refuse.

To be a JP, one must be a person of undoubted integrity, who places a premium on the rights and justice of individuals in his community. The influence of this job is such that its practice has come to be regulated by the Ministry of Justice. In fact, before they get to assume their office, they must perform an oath of allegiance and affirmation of office.

They also have considerable law enforcement related duties. For instance, they have the power to put forth search and arrest warrants. They can also grant bail, adjourn hearings, and some such.

JPs have a long history, and they were variously called wardens, conservators, keepers of peace, you name it. Because of their useful nature, they continue to be useful and serviceable nowadays, by presiding over minor civil justice and criminal cases. They serve a very important role in delivering and establishing justice and its according services in the community over which they preside.

The general duties of the JP are basically those involving elections, tax abatement and appeals, marriages, notaries and oaths, or act as magistrates. They deal with affidavits, certifying documents, powers of attorney, statutory declarations, and some such. Their position really ranges over a lot of specialized, technical duties.

Although this justices educational requirements is not at all definitive and inhibiting, there is a more important qualification by which they must abide by. That is, they must put forth an acceptable standard of behavior and conduct. Especially in jurisdictions where they are elected rather than appointed, they have the need to maintain their trustworthiness and credibility in the eyes of their constituents. Being a JP hints considerable elbow grease. Therefore, they are trained before they act on their responsibilities. As said, they can be exhorted to continue their education, with the sponsorship of a JP program.

JPs have a wide range of tasks and responsibilities cut out for them. They may issue warrants and summons, preside in mediations, dealing with various kinds of preliminary applications, or conducting release hearings in the interim. In point of fact, their duties greatly depend on the particular needs or identity of the community. But more considerably, it also greatly depends on the abilities, knowhow, and service orientation of the justice.




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