Duties and Responsibilities
A justice of the peace has the authority to:
- Administer oaths
- Conduct preliminary hearings
- Issue warrants for search and arrest
- Serve as a coroner in counties where there is no provision for a medical examiner
- Serve as an administrative court judge for a variety of miscellaneous court procedures
- Serve as a trial court judge for Class C misdemeanors
Civil Suits
The Justice Court also functions as a
small claims court in civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is not in district or county court and the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000. This also includes eviction suits.