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Encyclopedia > Justice of the Peace

A justice of the peace (JP) is a puisne judicial officer appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice and deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions. Justices of the peace are appointed or elected from the citizens of the jurisdiction in which they serve, and are (or were) usually not required to have a formal legal education in order to qualify for the office. Some jurisdictions have varying forms of training for JPs (for example Queensland, Australia, and the UK). Puisne (from Old French puisne, modern putne, later born, inferior; Lat. ... A judge or justice is an official who presides over a court. ... Letters Patent by Queen Victoria creating the office of Governor-General of Australia Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of an open letter issued by a monarch or government granting an office, a right, monopoly, title, or status to someone or some entity such as... Summary Justice refers to the informal punishment of suspected offenders without recourse to a formal trial under the legal system. ... This article concerns the common-law legal system, as contrasted with the civil law legal system; for other meanings of the term, within the field of law, see common law (disambiguation). ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  4,164,590 (3rd)  - Density  2. ...

Contents

History

In 1195, Richard I ("the Lionheart") of England commissioned certain knights to preserve the peace in unruly areas. They were responsible to the King for ensuring that the law was upheld, and preserved the "King's Peace", and were known as Keepers of the Peace. Richard I (8 September 1157 – 6 April 1199) was King of England from 6 July 1189 to 6 April 1199. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total... The silver Anglia knight, commissioned as a trophy in 1850, intended to represent the Black Prince. ... In English law, the Queens peace (or Kings peace, when a male is on the throne) is the peaceful, violence-free state that the realm should endure in at all times. ...


An Act of 1327 had referred to "good and lawful men" to be appointed in every county in the land to "guard the peace"; such individuals were first referred to as Conservators of the Peace, or Wardens of the Peace. The title "justices of the peace" derives from 1361, in the reign of King Edward III Plantagenet. The "peace" to be guarded is the "King's peace" or (currently) Queen's peace, the maintenance of which is the duty of the Crown under the royal prerogative. Justices of the peace still use the power conferred or re-conferred on them in 1361 to bind over unruly persons "to be of good behaviour." The bind over is not a punishment, but a preventive measure, intended to ensure that people thought likely to offend will not do so. In ancient British customs, Conservators of the Peace (Latin: Custodes pacis), or Wardens of the Peace, were individuals who had a special charge, by virtue of their office, to see that the Kings peace was kept. ... This article is about the King of England. ... In English law, the Queens peace (or Kings peace, when a male is on the throne) is the peaceful, violence-free state that the realm should endure in at all times. ... Throughout the Commonwealth Realms The Crown is an abstract concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government. ... The Royal Prerogative is a body of customary authority, privilege, and immunity, recognised in common law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy as belonging to the Crown alone. ...


The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 stripped the power to appoint normal JPs from those municipal corporations that had it. This was replaced by the present system, where the Lord Chancellor nominates candidates with local advice, for appointment by the Crown. The Municipal Reform Act 1835 required members of town councils (municipal corporations) to be elected by ratepayers and councils to publish their financial accounts. ... The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor and prior to the Union the Chancellor of England and the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom, and its predecessor states. ... The British monarchy is a shared monarchy; this article describes the monarchy from the perspective of the United Kingdom. ...


Until the introduction of elected county councils in the 19th century, J.P.s, in Quarter Sessions, also administered the county at a local level. They fixed wages, regulated food supplies, built & controlled roads and bridges, and undertook to provide and supervise locally those services mandated by the Crown and Parliament for the welfare of the county. In the British Isles, a county council is a council that governs a county. ... The Courts of Quarter Sessions or Quarter Sessions were periodic courts held in each county and county borough in England and Wales until 1972, when together with the Assize courts they were abolished by the Courts Act 1971 and replaced by a single permanent Crown Court of England and Wales. ...


Being an unpaid office, undertaken more for the sake of renown and to confirm the justice's standing within the community, the justice was typically a member of the gentry. The justice of the peace conducted arraignments in all criminal cases, and tried misdemeanours and infractions of local ordinances and bylaws. Towns and boroughs with enough burdensome judicial business that could not find volunteers for the unpaid role of justice of the peace had to petition the Crown for authority to hire a paid stipendiary magistrate. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Arraignment is a common law term for the formal reading of a criminal complaint, in the presence of the defendant, to inform him of the charges against him. ... Misdemeanors are lesser criminal acts which are generally punished less severely than felonies; but more so than infractions. ... For the similarly written medical term referring to a blocked artery, see infarction. ... Look up ordinance in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A bylaw (sometimes also seen as by-law or Byelaw) was originally the Viking town law in the Danelaw. ...


Women were not allowed to become JPs until 1919, the first woman being Ada Summers, the Mayor of Stalybridge, who was a JP by virtue of her office. Now in Britain 50% of JPs - also usually known as magistrates - are women, Statistics Population: 22,568 (2001 Census) Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: SJ963985 Administration District: Tameside Metropolitan county: Greater Manchester Region: North West England Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: Greater Manchester Historic county: Cheshire / Lancashire Services Police force: Greater Manchester Fire and rescue: {{{Fire}}} Ambulance: North...


In special circumstances, a Justice of the peace can be the highest governmental representative, so in fact 'gubernatorial', in a colonial entity. This was the case in the Tati Concession Land, a gold-mining concession (territory) in the Matabele kingdom, until its annexation the British Bechuanaland protectorate. In international law, a concession is a territory within a country that is administered by another entity than the state which holds sovereignty over it. ... The Matabele are a branch of the Zulus who split from King Shaka in the early 1820s under the leadership of Mzilikazi, a former general in Shakas army. ... The Bechuanaland Protectorate (BP) was a protectorate established in 1885 by Britain in the area of what is now Botswana. ...


Modern use in the Commonwealth tradition

United Kingdom

England and Wales

A magistrates' court in England and Wales is composed of a bench of (usually three) JPs or magistrates, who dispense summary justice: that is they decide on offences which carry up to six months in prison. They are advised on points of law by a legally-qualified clerk. No formal qualifications are required but magistrates need intelligence, common sense, integrity and the capacity to act fairly. Membership is widely spread throughout the local area and drawn from all walks of life. All magistrates are carefully trained before sitting and continue to receive training throughout their service. Magistrates are unpaid volunteers but they may receive allowances to cover travelling expenses and subsistence. Lay justices or magistrates sit for a minimum of 26 sessions (half-days) per year, but some sit as much as a day a week. In addition to the lay justices, there are a small number of 'district judges (magistrates' court)' (formerly known as 'stipendiary magistrates'). These are legally-qualified, full-time members of the magistracy and hear cases alone, without any other magistrates on the bench. It is important to distinguish the district judge (magistrates' court) from the district judges who usually sit in the county court. Bedford Magistrates Court A Magistrates Court or court of petty sessions, formerly known as a police court, is the lowest level of court in England and Wales and many other common law jurisdictions. ... Look up bench in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In the law of many common law jurisdictions, a summary offence (or summary offense) is an offence which can be tried without an indictment. ... The word clerk, derived from the Latin clericus meaning cleric, i. ...


Magistrates' courts today can deal with minor offences (fines of up to £5,000 and imprisonment of up to twelve months) and handle over 95% of the criminal cases in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. With more serious offences, magistrates are responsible for indictment and committal to the Crown Court (a task in former times dealt with by a grand jury). Magistrates also have some limited civil jurisdiction, such as licensing applications, although these functions were removed from them under the Licensing Act 2003. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... In the common law legal system, an indictment (IPA: ) is a formal charge of having committed a most serious criminal offense. ... Crown Court and County Court in Oxford. ... A grand jury is a type of jury, in the common law legal system, which determines if there is enough evidence for a trial. ... In law, jurisdiction (from the Latin ius, iuris meaning law and dicere meaning to speak) is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area... The Licensing Act 2003 (2003 c. ...


Until the Courts Act 2003 came into force, magistrates were tied to a particular area (see magistrates' court committee, commission area, petty sessions area). This has now been changed such that they are assigned to local justice areas, but less strongly. The Courts Act 2003 is a UK Act of Parliament implementing many of the recommendations in Sir Robin Aulds (a Court of Appeal judge) Review of the Criminal Courts in England and Wales (also known as the Auld Review). The White Paper which preceded the Act was published by... A petty sessional division was, in England and Wales, the area that a Magistrates Court had jusridiction over. ... Local justice areas are units in England and Wales established by the Courts Act 2003, replacing and directly based on the previous petty sessions areas. ...


The Justices of the Peace Act 1997 provides the current framework for appointment of the justices, which is done by the Lord Chancellor in the name of Her Majesty. Justices can also be removed by the same mechanism. District judges (magistrates' court) must have a "7 years' general qualification", and are appointed by Her Majesty on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor and prior to the Union the Chancellor of England and the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom, and its predecessor states. ... The British monarchy is a shared monarchy; this article describes the monarchy from the perspective of the United Kingdom. ...


Scotland

Within the Scottish legal system justices of the peace are lay magistrates who currently sit in the Scottish District Courts. These courts were introduced in 1975 as replacement for burgh police courts. Justices sit alone or in threes with a qualified legal assessor as convener or clerk of court. They handle many cases of breach of the peace, drunkenness, minor assaults, petty theft, and offences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. A District Court is the lowest level of court in Scotland. ...


In Glasgow, the volume of business requires the employment of three solicitors as "stipendiary magistrates" who sit in place of the lay justices. The stipendiary magistrates' court has the same sentencing power as the summary sheriff court. However, in 2006, the Scottish Executive announced its intention to unify the management of the sheriff and district courts in Scotland, but retaining lay justices, as part of its initiative to create a unified judiciary under the Lord President. The Executives logo, shown with English and Scottish Gaelic caption The term Scottish Executive is used in two different, but closely-related senses: to denote the executive arm of Scotlands national legislature (i. ... The title Lord President may refer to one of several offices: The Lord President of the Council is the presiding officer of the United Kingdom Privy Council The Lord President of the Court of Session is the Lord Justice General (chief justice) of Scotland The Lord President of the Federal...


Australia

A justice of the peace in Australia is typically someone of good stature in the community who is authorized to witness and sign statutory declarations and affidavits and to certify copies of original documents. Criteria for appointment vary widely, depending on the state. For example, in Queensland, a justice of the peace (qualified) must complete an exam prior to being eligible for appointment, whereas in Victoria, a person need only prove good character by way of references. A statutory declaration is a legal document defined under the law of certain Commonwealth nations. ... An affidavit is a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the declarant (who is called the affiant), and witnessed (as to the veracity of the affiants signature) by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  4,164,590 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... Slogan or Nickname: Garden State, The Place to Be Motto(s): Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Government Constitutional monarchy Governor David de Kretser Premier Steve Bracks (resigning effective 30th July 2007) (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 37  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05...


Generally speaking, a justice of the peace cannot act in relation to a document which is to be used in a foreign country. One exception to this, however, is that countries in the Commonwealth frequently accept documents so certified, but this is largely dependent on local legislation. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...


Documents which are to be used in a foreign country that does not provide for a foreign JP to witness them should be dealt with by a notary public. This is the same for all countries where the office of a justice of the peace exists. Notary publics are appointed from amongst the ranks of solicitors and barristers, and the best way to locate one is to contact your local law society. A US Embossed Notary Seal. ... The Law Society of England and Wales is the professional association that regulates and represents the solicitors profession in England and Wales. ...


Queensland

In the state of Queensland, a "justice of the peace (qualified)" has the additional powers to issue search warrants, arrest warrants, justices examination orders, and (in conjunction with another justice of the peace (qualified)) constitute a magistrates' court and exercise powers to remand defendants in custody, grant bail, and adjourn court hearings. Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  4,164,590 (3rd)  - Density  2. ...


Some justices are appointed as justice of the peace (magistrates' court), usually in remote aboriginal communities, to perform many of the functions that might otherwise fall to a stipendary magistrate. Indigenous Australians are descendants of the first known human inhabitants of the Australian continent and its nearby islands. ... A magistrate is a judicial officer. ...


Victoria

Justices of the peace and bail justices are appointed to serve a semi-judicial function in all areas of the Victorian community. The main official roles they play in the Victorian community include witnessing statutory declarations, witnessing affidavits and hearing bail matters outside court hours (bail justices only).


Justices of the peace


Justices of the peace (JPs) provide a service to the community as independent witnesses of statutory declarations, powers of attorney and affidavits. JPs are recommended by the state Attorney-General and appointed by the Governor-General in Council, and it is their job to authorise and witness statutory declarations and affidavits within the state of Victoria. There are currently more than 4,000 JPs serving in all areas of the state.


Bail justices


The role of a bail justice is to hear bail applications (under the Bail Act 1977) and to hear applications for interim accommodation orders for children (under the Children and Young Persons Act 1989) within Victoria. Bail justices, once appointed, may remain in their role until they turn 70 years of age (although they must be under 65 at the time of their appointment). They are often required to attend call outs and rule on bail applications or protection applications for children in danger on weekends and late at night when the courts are closed, but they can also witness Victorian statutory declarations and affidavits. Candidates must successfully complete a three-day training course run by Victoria Police, the Magistrates' Court, and the Department of Justice. Bail justices also have some limited powers under federal legislation, including the power to conduct interstate extradition hearings and extending question time for federal police.


Source: http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/


New South Wales

Justices of the peace perform few judicial functions, if any, in New South Wales. Those justices employed by the Attorney-General's Department can issue some kinds of warrant, and perform minor judicial functions such as granting bail outside normal court sitting hours. These powers are increasingly being transferred to Registrars of the Local Court, who (usually, but not always) have legal qualifications. Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 50  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $305,437 (1st)  - Product per capita  $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006)  - Population  6,817,100 (1st)  - Density  8. ... There are over 160 Local Courts in NSW. Local Court cases are heard by a magistrate without a jury. ...


This aspect aside, justices of the peace in NSW typically receive stat decs and affidavits - primarily administrative tasks. A statutory declaration is a legal document defined under the law of certain Commonwealth nations. ... An affidavit is a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the declarant (who is called the affiant), and witnessed (as to the veracity of the affiants signature) by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public. ...


Justices of the peace can be located in courthouses, municipal councils, and many public service offices. The New South Wales Government provides a web service that allows people to locate a suitable JP: here. Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 50  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $305,437 (1st)  - Product per capita  $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006)  - Population  6,817,100 (1st)  - Density  8. ...


South Australia

In South Australia, there are two types of justices: justices of the peace and special justices.


A justice of the peace (JP) in South Australia is typically someone of good stature in the community who is authorised to witness and sign statutory declarations, affidavits, waiver rights, search warrants, drug warrants, divorce documents, and to certify copies of original documents and to witness the signing of power of attorney and guardianship documents, providing the JP is satisfied with the capability of the signatory. A statutory declaration is a legal document defined under the law of certain Commonwealth nations. ... An affidavit is a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the declarant (who is called the affiant), and witnessed (as to the veracity of the affiants signature) by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public. ... A search warrant is a written warrant issued by a judge or magistrate which authorizes the police to conduct a search of a person or location for evidence of a criminal offense. ... A power of attorney or letter of attorney in common law systems or mandate in civil law systems is an authorization to act on someone elses behalf in a legal or business matter. ...


Special justices are a higher level of justice of the peace in South Australia, they sit casually on the bench of the magistrates' court hearing cases in the petty division. Bedford Magistrates Court A Magistrates Court or court of petty sessions, formerly known as a police court, is the lowest level of court in England and Wales and many other common law jurisdictions. ...


The South Australian Attorney-General has setup a web site to locate justices of the peace: [1]


Canada

In Canada, justices of the peace (JP) play a key role in the administration of justice at the provincial level. JPs are appointed by the premiers of Canada's provinces and territories. Canada is a vast country and JPs are often the only magistrates in some regions. In the vast Northwest Territories, JPs are regularly assigned to hear federal crimes. However, in more populated provinces JPs usually only preside over routine items such as bail hearings and minor traffic violations. When not in a court session, a JP can perform other judicial functions, such as issuing search warrants. JPs are not required to have a legal background, but some critics suggest their lack of legal experience impacts the efficient delivery of justice. For other geographical names that include Northwest, see Northwest. ...


In Ontario, native JPs are being added to deal with legal processes for aboriginal people. Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area [1] Ranked...


JP - Ontario JP - Saskatchewan JP - British Columbia Native JP - Ontario


Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, this historical functions of justices of the peace have been replaced by full-time, legally-qualified magistrates. Nowadays, justices of the peace are essentially titles of honour given by the Government to community leaders, and to certain officials while they are in their terms of offices. They have no judicial functions, and their main duties include visiting prisons, institutions for young offenders and drug addicts, psychiatric hospitals, remand homes, places of refuge, reception and detention centres [2], and administering statutory declarations. The Judiciary of Hong Kong is responsible for the administration of justice in Hong Kong. ...


Jamaica

A justice of the peace (JP), according to the Ministry of Justice, is a person of unquestionable integrity who seeks to promote and protect the rights of the individual and helps to provide justice to persons in a particular community. Additionally, the JP serves as a justice in petty court sessions, attends juvenile court sessions, issues summonses, considers applications for bail, explains and signs legal documents, sits on licensing panels, and gives counsel/advice. Any Jamaican citizen that can speak and write English is eligible to become a JP. Any club/organisation/citizen can recommend someone to become JP for a community. JPs are chosen under the Governor-General's discretion. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Governor-General (or Governor General) is a term used both historically and currently to designate the appointed representative of a head of state or their government for a particular territory, historically in a colonial context, but no longer necessarily in that form. ...


Malaysia

In Malaysia, justices of the peace have largely been replaced in magistrates' courts by legally-qualified (first-class) stipendiary magistrates. However, state governments continue to appoint Justices of the Peace as honours. In 2004, some associations of justices of the peace pressed the federal government to allow justices of the peace to sit as second-class magistrates in order to reduce the backlog of cases in the courts.


New Zealand

A justice of the peace in New Zealand is someone of good stature in the community who is authorized to witness and sign statutory declarations and affidavits. A statutory declaration is a legal document defined under the law of certain Commonwealth nations. ... An affidavit is a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the declarant (who is called the affiant), and witnessed (as to the veracity of the affiants signature) by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public. ...


They also have certain powers to issue search warrants, and (in conjunction with another justice of the peace) may try minor criminal trials in the district court and exercise powers to remand defendants in custody, grant bail, and adjourn court hearings.


Sri Lanka

A Justice of the Peace (JP) is an honorary post, with authorization to witness and sign statutory declarations and affidavits. JPs are chosen under the Minister of Justice's discretion. Any citizen of Sri Lanka can apply to the Ministry of Justice giving his or her credentials to be appointed as a Justice of Peace. However, the applicant should be one who has served the public and carries out social service and should be of good standing. Mostly the Minister of Justice appoint Justices of the Peace as honours. A statutory declaration is a legal document defined under the law of certain Commonwealth nations. ... An affidavit is a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the declarant (who is called the affiant), and witnessed (as to the veracity of the affiants signature) by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public. ...


United States

In some U.S. states, the Justice of the Peace is a judge of a court of limited jurisdiction, a magistrate, or a quasi-judicial official with certain statuory or common law magisterial powers. Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A trial at the Old Bailey in London as drawn by Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Pugin for Ackermanns Microcosm of London (1808-11). ... In law, jurisdiction (from the Latin ius, iuris meaning law and dicere meaning to speak) is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area...


The Justice of the Peace or, solicitor-general, typically presides over a court that hears misdemeanor cases, traffic violation and other petty criminal infractions. The Justice of the Peace may also have authority over cases involving small debts, landlord and tenant disputes, or other small claims court proceedings. Proceedings before Justices of the Peace are often faster and less formal than the proceedings in other courts. In some jurisdictions a party convicted or found liable before a Justice of the Peace may have the right to a trial de novo before the judge of a higher court rather than an appeal strictly considered. A misdemeanor, or misdemeanour, in many common law legal systems, is a lesser criminal act. ... For other uses, see Debt (disambiguation). ... A landlord, is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, or real estate which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called the tenant. ... A tenant (from the Latin tenere, to hold), in legal contexts, holds real property by some form of title from a landlord. ... For the Australian television movies see Small Claims. ... In law, the expression trial de novo literally means new trial. It is most often used in certain legal systems that provide for one form of trial, then another if a party remains unsatisfied with the decision. ... In law, an appeal is a process for making a formal challenge to an official decision. ...


The Justice of the Peace is also the judge to whom parties seeking a civil marriage can repair. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Justices of the Peace are often called on to perform marriages, and especially same-sex marriages which certain religious officials are not willing to do. In Connecticut, justices of the peace can preside over same-sex civil unions which became legal in October 2005. Unlike Massachusetts, Connecticut JPs are not penalized for refusing to perform such ceremonies. See also Civil union Registered partnership Domestic partnership Timeline of same-sex marriage Listings by country This box:      Same-sex marriage is a term for a governmentally, socially, or religiously recognized marriage in which two people of the same sex live together as a family. ... Various Religious symbols, including (first row) Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Bahai, (second row) Islamic, tribal, Taoist, Shinto (third row) Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Jain, (fourth row) Ayyavazhi, Triple Goddess, Maltese cross, pre-Christian Slavonic Religion is the adherence to codified beliefs and rituals that generally involve a faith in a spiritual... As unregistered cohabitation Recognised in some regions Recognised prior to legalisation of same-sex marriage Netherlands (nationwide) (1998) Spain (12 of 17 communities) (1998) South Africa (nationwide) (1999) Belgium (nationwide) (2000) Canada (QC, NS and MB) (2001) Recognition debated See also Same-sex marriage Registered partnership Domestic partnership Common-law...


In Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, Justices of the Peace have the same general oath giving powers as a notary public.


In New Hampshire, Justices of the Peace are commissioned magisterial officers, appointed by the Governor and Executive Council to terms of five years, with the power to administer oaths, acknowledge instruments, perform marriage ceremonies [3] and, effective January 1, 2008, solemnize civil unions for same-sex couples. [4] They may also order compulsory mental examinations for good cause, [5] act as a magisterial official regarding enforcement complaints on orders for isolation or quarantine issued by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, [6] administer oaths of office to public officials, [7] [8] take depositions [9] and issue subpoenas. [10] [11] New Hampshire Justices of the Peace are also authorized, upon a showing of probable cause supported by affidavit, to issue arrest warrants, [12] [13] search warrants,[14] administrative inspection warrants [15] and by court appointment, to fix and receive bail in criminal cases. [16] [17] [18]


In Arkansas, a Justice of the Peace is an elected official equivalent to a county commissioner or county supervisor. Arkansas JPs sit on a county quorum court, comprised of 11, 13 or 15 JPs. The quorum court is a part-time body, elected from single-member districts, that has overall responsibility for county affairs. Among their responsibilities are passing the budget, creating new ordinances (at the misdemeanor level), setting property tax millage levels, and working with other elected officials. The full-time elected county administrator, who presides over the quorum court, is the county judge. Neither JPs nor the county judge has any judicial authority, other than the right to preside over civil marriages. JusticeS of the Peace are elected every two years to these partisan offices.


In many states the office of Justice of the Peace has been abolished or transferred to another court, such as the magistrate court. In larger cities, cases may be held in a municipal court which has jurisdiction only within that city. Most efforts to abolish the office of Justice of the Peace have been led by the American Bar Association, an organization of America's attorneys, who view non-lawyer judges as no longer necessary, as there are more people now with formal legal education than there were when JPs were common. A magistrate is a judicial officer. ...


In the USA, many speeding ticket trials are handled by a magistrate or a Justice of the Peace. A magistrate is a judicial officer. ...


See also

District courts are a category of courts which exists in several nations. ... A US Embossed Notary Seal. ... A magistrate is a judicial officer. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The Solicitor General is a cabinet position in several countries, dealing with legal affairs. ...

Sources and external links

Australia

  • Australian Council of Justices' Associations
  • ACT Justices of the Peace Association Inc.
  • Department of Justice, Tasmania - Justice of the Peace Guide
  • New South Wales Justices Association
  • Northern Territory Department of Justice - Justice for the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths
  • Queensland JP site
  • Queensland Justices Association
  • South Australian Attorney-General's Department
  • Royal Association of Justices of South Australia Inc.
  • Royal Association of Justices of Westen Australia (Incorporated)
  • Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices
  • Western Australia Department of the Attorney General - Justices of the Peace

Belize

  • Government of Belize Justice of the Peace Manual

Canada

  • Courts of Saskatchewan - Justices of the Peace
  • Justices of the Peace Review Council - Ontario
  • Provincial Court of British Columbia - Justice of the Peace

Hong Kong

  • Justices of the Peace

Italy

  • Ministero della Giustizia - Giudice di Pace (Justice of the Peace) English version

Jamaica

  • Ministry of Justice, Jamaica - Justices of the Peace

New Zealand

  • Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations (Inc)

Singapore

  • Prime Minister's Office Headquarters - Justices Of The Peace

United Kingdom

  • Magistrates Association
  • UK Magistrates site

United States

  • Delaware Justice of the Peace Court
  • Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas
  • Louisiana Justices of the Peace and Constables Association
  • Massachusetts Justices of the Peace Association, Inc.
  • Oregon Justices of the Peace Association
  • Vermont Secretary of State JP Guide
  • NH Justice of the Peace A-List
  • West Haven Justice of the Peace (Connecticut)

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Justices of the Peace (693 words)
A justice of the peace signing an acknowledgment or jurat on any document or instrument shall type, print, or stamp the name of the justice of the peace and state the expiration date of his or her commission on the document or instrument.
The fee is based upon the amount that the justice of the peace feels is sufficient payment for his services.
The justice of the peace is also entitled to.20/mile when traveling to swear in witnesses.
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