Justice of the peace facts for kids
A Justice of the Peace (often called a JP) is a special kind of local judge. They are either chosen by people voting or are officially picked for the job. JPs work in local courts that handle certain types of legal matters.
In some places, a JP helps with things like traffic tickets or parking fines. They might also be able to perform marriage ceremonies. In many areas, JPs handle the first steps of smaller legal problems. Historically, JP courts were very common. Today, you'll find them mostly in country areas. This helps people in those areas avoid traveling long distances to other courts.
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The History of Justices of the Peace
The idea of a Justice of the Peace started a long time ago in England. In 1195, King Richard I of England asked local knights to help keep order in their areas. These people were first called "Keepers of the Peace" in 1264. They worked for the king to make sure laws were followed.
Around the year 1362, these "Keepers of the Peace" started to be called "Justices of the Peace." When settlers from England came to North America, they brought this system with them. So, the idea of JPs became part of the legal system in the new colonies.
In France, before 1789, local lords handled justice in their courts. After 1789, the French system changed, and Justices of the Peace were chosen by elections.
What It Takes to Be a Justice of the Peace
The rules for becoming a Justice of the Peace can be different depending on the area. Generally, there are not many strict school requirements to become a JP.
To apply for the job, a person usually fills out a form and pays a small fee. Sometimes, JPs are chosen based on their skills and recommendations from other people. While many JPs have a law degree, others might have only taken a few law classes. The main goal is to find people who can fairly handle the local legal tasks.
Images for kids
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Justice of the Peace office in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
See also
In Spanish: Juez de paz para niños
