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Subject: [MOJEFFER] Justice of the Peace
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 09:56:46 EDT

Cannot for sure tell you how the system worked in Missouri, but many states
had the J.P. system until "court reform" in the 60's. Here in Oklahoma it was
on a more or less town basis, or townships out in the rural areas. The office
was elective with 4 year terms as I recall. The officials worked out of their
homes or offices as it was not a fulltime position. They had both civil and
criminal petit jurisdiction, handling cases much like today's small claims and
misdemeanors and highway traffic cases. The civil court costs were posted by
the plaintiff and charged to the loser, hence the acronym JP= Justice for the
Plaintiff. The criminal cases resulted in fines paid to the county and court
costs paid to the JP. The only time I had to appear was in high school for
throwing a beer can out of a moving vehicle, fine $5 and court costs $10.25, see
what I mean.
They also had jurisdiction to perform weddings in most states.
I know that Texas still has this system and you might try to find out how
they work it. I am sure Missouri's was much the same. Otherwise, try old
Missouri statute books from the appropriate era. They will give the format and
authority. Available in law libraries in Missouri most likely, and in some other
bigger libraries I would assume. Hope this help. Dan

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