Justice of the peace

A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer, elected or appointed to a local court that has limited jurisdiction.^[1] In some locations a JP deals with traffic violations, parking tickets and may have the authority to perform marriages ceremonies.^[2] In many places they are the entry-level courts that most criminal cases pass through.^[3] JP courts were popular in early history, but are now found mostly in rural areas.^[3] Otherwise people would have to travel longer distances to other courts of law.^[3]

1. ↑ "Justice of the Peace". The Free Dictionary/Farlex. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
2. ↑ "Justice of the Peace". duhaime.org. Retrieved 25 March 2016.^{[permanent dead link]}
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} "Justice of the Peace Law & Legal Definition". US Legal. Retrieved 25 March 2016.