justice of the peace

justice of the peace
An office of ancient origin, established in the United States as part of the English judicial system under the common law. Brown v Knox County, 187 Tenn 8, 212 SW2d 673, 5 ALR2d 1264. A magistrate; often a township officer, although exercising county-wide jurisdiction, and sometimes regarded as a county officer. 31 Am J Rev ed J P § 3. Essentially a magistrate, a judicial officer, although vested with some administrative or ministerial powers. 31 Am J Rev ed J P § 2. A judicial office of limited jurisdiction, the jurisdiction usually being limited to actions, other than those involving title to real property, wherein the amount in controversy is relatively small, and in criminal cases, to prosecutions for minor offenses and misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings upon charges of felony or serious misdemeanor. The incumbent of the office of justice of the peace. Not a judge for all purposes, for example, not within the meaning of a statute fixing an age limit for "judges." People v Mann, 97 NY 530. But a judge within the meaning of the rule that words spoken by a "judge" in the course of a judicial proceeding over which he is presiding, and in relation to the subject of the proceeding, are absolutely privileged. 33 Am J1st L & S § 177.

Ballentine's law dictionary. . 1998.

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  • justice of the peace — justice of the peace: a local judicial official who is empowered chiefly to administer oaths, perform marriage ceremonies, certify documents, and in some states may have additional judicial powers (as to issue summonses) Merriam Webster’s… …   Law dictionary

  • Justice of the peace — Justice Jus tice (j[u^]s t[i^]s), n. [F., fr. L. justitia, fr. justus just. See {Just}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • justice of the peace — ˌjustice of the ˈpeace abbreviation JP noun justices of the peace PLURALFORM [countable] LAW a magistrate (= type of judge) in Britain and in some US states who judges less serious cases in lower law courts: • …   Financial and business terms

  • Justice of the peace — Peace Peace, n. [OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix, L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. {Appease}, {Fair}, a., {Fay}, v., {Fang}, {Pacify}, {Pact}, {Pay} to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Justice of the Peace — (engl., spr. dschößtĭß ŏf thĕ pihß), Friedensrichter (s. Friedensrichte) …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Justice of the Peace — n JP someone who judges less serious cases in small law courts and, in the US, can perform marriage ceremonies …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Justice of the Peace — noun count a government official similar to a judge who works in the lower courts and can perform marriage ceremonies: MAGISTRATE …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Justice of the Peace — ► NOUN ▪ (in the UK) a lay magistrate appointed to hear minor cases, grant licences, etc., in a town or county …   English terms dictionary

  • Justice of the peace — (engl., spr. dschöstīs ŏw dhĕ pīß), Friedensrichter, s. Friedensgerichte …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • justice of the peace — n. in some states, a magistrate with jurisdiction over a small district, authorized to decide minor cases, commit persons to trial in a higher court, perform marriages, etc …   English World dictionary

  • 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… …   Wikipedia

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