County Justice of the Peace

“Duties of the County Justice of the Peace”
Justices of the Peace have the authority to perform lower-level judicial functions. Their power can
be divided into ministerial and judicial areas. Most of their duties are administrative and include
the approval of documents and the sanctification of affidavits and official declarations.
Their duties may include officiating secular marriage and civil union ceremonies, witnessing
affidavits and autographs, taking depositions, issuing subpoenas and taking acknowledgements.
They may serve as a judge on small claims court or misdemeanor offenses, conduct inquests and
provide mediation.
Justices of the Peace can also issue warrants. Most commonly, they issue arrest warrants for
people who have written bad checks or who have refused to appear at a mandatory court hearing.
They can also issue search warrants.