We recently received an email from a reader asking a question that is on everyone’s mind this election:

In Potter County, there are three different elections for justice of the peace positions. I’ve always heard of a justice of the peace, but I don’t know exactly what they do. I’ve always thought it was something like a sheriff position mixed with a judge. Can you explain what a justice of the peace actually does?
- Adam R. from Amarillo

Thank you, Adam. And you’re not wrong — the justice of the peace position is a little confusing. Luckily, we’ve been able to dig in to get you the answer to your question.

What exactly is a justice of the peace?

According to the Texas Association of Counties, a justice of the peace is a judicial officeholder who presides over a small claims court. These courts hear cases with amounts in controversy under $20,000. Justices of the peace also oversee trials involving traffic tickets and other Class C misdemeanors, hear landlord-tenant disputes, and oversee truancy matters. Justices of the peace also perform magistration duties and conduct inquests, as needed.

Are all justices of the peace lawyers?

Something notable about the justice of the peace position is that it is the only judicial office created by state law that does not require its officeholder to possess a license to practice law in Texas. In larger Texas counties, it’s not uncommon for a justice of the peace to have a law degree. This is fairly rare in most Texas counties, however, as justices of the peace come from all walks of life.

How does someone become a justice of the peace?

In Texas, the only requirements for a person to hold the office of a justice of the peace are that the person is 18 years old, a registered voter, and a resident of Texas for 12 months preceding the primary filing deadline. The individual must have also been a resident of the district they represent for six months preceding the primary filing deadline.

Most justices of the peace are elected officeholders. Elected justices of the peace often run in March primary elections and are the nominees for one of the two major political parties in the November general election.

Some counties also have appointed justices of the peace. Randall County, for example, has one of these positions. These officeholders are appointed by their respective commissioners’ court.

How much are justices of the peace paid?

Justices of the peace are compensated at a rate set by their respective commissioners’ court. Justices of the peace may also collect fees related to conducting wedding ceremonies that are separate from their compensation package at the county.

The Texas Association of Counties prepares a salary survey every few years that provides an overview of salaries across the state for this role. According to the salary survey, justices of the peace in Potter and Randall counties are paid $89,695 and $79,873, respectively.

Salaries for this role vary widely across all 254 counties in the state. The highest-paid justices of the peace are those in Dallas County, compensated at a set salary of $158,815 per year. Meanwhile, the lowest-paid justices of the peace are in Motley County, where they are compensated at an annual salary of $19,207 per year.

Who’s running for justice of the peace in Amarillo this year?

In Randall County, two justice of the peace offices are up for election this cycle. Incumbent Joanne Garcia Flores is running unopposed in Precinct 4, and K. Chase Ralston is running unopposed in Precinct 1.

In Potter County, three justice of the peace races are contested. In Precinct 1, former federal prosecutor Amanda Mayfield, insurance broker and chaplain Bryan Tackett, and sheriff’s office employee Lisa DeVries are running to replace the retiring incumbent, Debbie Horn. In Precinct 2, incumbent Robert Taylor is being challenged by Republican precinct chairman Alex “AJ” Casias Jr. In Precinct 3, incumbent Gary L. Jackson is being challenged by bookkeeper Zach Harvey. Meanwhile, incumbent Thomas Jones is unopposed in Precinct 4.