Justice of the Peace in United Kingdom

Justice of the Peace

Introduction to Justice of the Peace

Justice of The Peace, in the judicial system of the United Kingdom and the U.S., a judicial public officer with limited powers. In the U.S. the jurisdiction of the justice of the peace is defined by the statutes of the several states. In some states a justice of the peace may try only misdemeanors; in other states this person has the authority to act only as a committing magistrate and has no trial jurisdiction in criminal cases; in still other states, the justice of the peace has the authority to try civil disputes in matters involving up to $300 and has limited criminal jurisdiction.

The office of justice of the peace was established as early as 1630. The principal function of the office was maintenance of order; the justice of the peace had jurisdiction primarily over criminal matters. Limited civil jurisdiction and performance of certain administrative duties, such as marriage ceremonies, were additional functions of this office. With the development of the legal system, practically all of the criminal jurisdiction formerly held by the justice of the peace was withdrawn.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Justice of the Peace

Justice of the peace Meaning

Justice of the peace in Scottish Law

A lay magistrate who sits in the justice of the peace court.