What is a Texas JP?

The office of Justice of the Peace is established by the Texas Constitution to preside over the Justice Court.

It's not quite like the days of Judge Roy Bean, the Law West of the Pecos! Today, a JP is a Judge who presides over one of the busiest courts. There are 8 JPs in Tarrant Count, each elected by their section of the county.

• Truant Conduct - a Justice of the Peace may hear Truant Conduct (not attending school) cases.
• Civil Cases - Evictions and other civil cases like small claims (up to $20,000). This court was created for people to able to represent themselves, although attorneys are welcome.
• Criminal - all misdemeanors that are "fine-only" (traffic, minor in possession or consumption, sewer and fire violations, fishing/hunting license, and many others). 
• Administrative - Driver and handgun license suspensions and/or revocations, mental health warrants, criminal warrants, disposition of stolen property, Peace Bonds, etc.

In some counties, the JP also serves as the coroner (determines how someone died and issues death certificates), reads rights to prisoners and sets bonds at the county jail. Tarrant County has a medical examiner for handling deaths and magistrates who deal with prisoners. 

When Matt was JP, the court handled about 11,000 cases a year and was also the busiest truancy court in the State of Texas.