Where To Find A Justice Of The Peace

By Patricia Foster


What with burgeoning populations, and accordingly many towns, boroughs, and general jurisdictions, it is no wonder that various skirmishes erupt from time to time. And more often than not, these little squabbles are the types to quickly blow over. It would be a shame if they had transcended directly to the high courts. If you are looking for some quick solutions to urgent matters, look at this directory to find a Justice of The Peace Salem.

A JP is essentially a judicial officer of a so called puisne, or lower, court. He is either appointed or elected, and his task is, you guessed it, keeping the peace. Over history, this position has been tantamount to many kinds of positions like commissioners, keepers, conservators, or wardens, but their responsibilities are pretty much intuitive and set in stone.

These civil public officers basically perform judicial acts, and they come in sundry appellation in many different places and points of time. Historically, for example, they have been called wardens, or keepers or conservators of peace. Nowadays, they are variously referred to as magistrates or district judges. Their jurisdiction is generally limited to townships, precincts, counties, cities, and in some cases, states.

The JP necessarily has to be someone of good nature and stature in the community, with no adverse record at the very least. Although the criteria of appointment are diverse, this is pretty rigid. He has to be knowledgeable and trustworthy, given the technicality of his functions, like certifying copies, witnessing and signing statutory affidavits, and some such sensitive operations that they are authorized to do by virtue of their position.

In some states, this oath taking is accordingly presided by a superior judge, another JP, district court judge, or else a justice of the supreme court. The copy of this oath should be forwarded to the town clerk, or else the JP may be disqualified from performing in his office, and also fined. Once they assume office, they preside and take action in many responsibilities, some mandatory and some discretionary.

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.

This feature has its advantages and disadvantages. After all, if you really deem some infraction as kind of petty, then it pays to have it over sooner than later. However, if you deem that a case can be more convoluted than can be perceived by the eye, you can appeal for a trial de novo in a different tribunal, preferably in a higher court.

A JP plays an important role in civil infractions. They prevent a particular case from blowing up out of proportion by addressing them as soon as the complaints are lodged. They act as some kind of municipal magistrate that deal with lawsuits and small claims cases. Although these cases are deemed as considerably nugatory, they are not at all negligible. After all, we know the worth of the payments of small debts, the overturning of evictions, the prevention of domestic abuse, and the general resolution of lawsuits.

This justice occupies an office that is by consensus the most popular and numerous membership of public office. In fact, in a certain town of average population, there may be at least five justices. In considerably populated towns, there may even be as many as fifteen. However, although they are not really present and conspicuous, it would do to remark on the good service and usefulness of this office.




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