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Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace

 
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace
Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace
Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace
Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace


The Justice of the Peace Court is a constitutional office whose origins date back to the early days of Texas statehood. In fact, in some parts of Texas the Justice of the Peace was the only form of the law, making for interesting folklore throughout the state's rich history.

The Judges (Precincts 1,2,3, & 4) are elected to a four year term of office by the voters residing in that precinct.

The following is a partial list of the functions that these courts oversees:

    • Determines probably cause, issues arrest warrants, issues both adult and juvenile statutory warnings, and conducts bail examinations for arrested person.
    • Determines whether there is reasonable probability of a judgment being rendered against a person as a result of an accident while operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
    • Conducts reviews for sufficiency and issuance of search warrants.
    • Reviews applications for emergency detention and issues mental health and dependency warrants.
    • Conducts hearings concerning the disposition of stolen property.
    • Conducts handgun license denial hearings.
    • Conducts driver's license suspension hearings.
    • Conducts death investigations and orders autopsies.
    • Conducts towing hearings.
    • Conducts review for sufficiency and issuance of warrants to seize cruelly treated animals.
    • Conducts hearings to determine disposition of animals.
    • Conducts hearings to review dangerous dog determination.
    • Performs marriage ceremonies.
    • Handles and collects fees, fines and court costs.
    • Manages bank deposits.
    • Prepares report for auditor and treasurer.
    • Supervises employees.
    • Prepares correspondence to defendants and parties to litigation as required by statute.
    • Reviews and files citation issued and complaints filed by local law enforcement agencies, including Constable, Sheriff, Department of Public Safety, etc.
    • Reviews requests for driving safety courses, files complaints for failure to appear and issues warrants, conducts show cause hearings, allows extension of time in which to complete course, dismisses cases, or imposes judgments.
    • Reviews documents in connection with charges of no insurance, expired driver's license, expired registration, and expired inspection.
    • Undertakes efforts to satisfy judgment, issues capias pro fines, conduct indigency hearings.
    • Collects restitution.
    • Failure to attend school offenses against juveniles.
    • Thwarting compulsory attendance.
    • Files petitions instituting civil action within the jurisdiction of Justice Court.
    • Files petitions instituting proceedings to enforce deed restrictions.
    • Evictions from residential and commercial properties.
    • Files petitions instituting civil action within the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court.