ECT Reporter Levi Freeman welcomed Eastland County Justices of the Peace Jon Glenn (Pct. 1) and Jesse Speer (Pct. 2) to Rip’s Report to help demystify the role of JP courts and answer common questions from the public.
The judges explained that JP courts handle a wide range of responsibilities, including magistrating at the jail, hearing small claims cases up to $20,000, overseeing evictions, truancy matters, protective orders, and mental health crisis orders. In Eastland County, JPs also serve as coroners, responding to unattended deaths and determining whether an autopsy is required. Both judges noted this was one of the more surprising duties when they took of Freeman asked about the most common cases seen in JP court. The judges said evictions and small claims dominate their dockets. They outlined eviction procedures, explaining that landlords must provide a three-day notice before filing and that the
court attempts mediation before proceeding with eviction when possible.
