Bill Text: TX SR131 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizing February 7, 2023, as Justices of the Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-07 - Reported enrolled [SR131 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SR131-Introduced.html
88R11039 CJM-D | ||
By: Eckhardt | S.R. No. 131 |
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WHEREAS, Proud members of the Justices of the Peace and | ||
Constables Association of Texas are gathering in Austin on | ||
February 7, 2023, for Justices of the Peace and Constables Day at | ||
the State Capitol; and | ||
WHEREAS, The office of justice of the peace, first | ||
established in 1362 by King Edward of England, and the office of | ||
constable, first established in 1215 by King John of England, were | ||
two of the first offices established in the American colonies in | ||
1620; both offices were created by the Texas Constitution | ||
approximately two centuries later and continue to serve a vital | ||
role in the system of county government; and | ||
WHEREAS, Justices of the peace are an integral part of the | ||
Texas judiciary; they exercise jurisdiction in criminal | ||
misdemeanor cases punishable by fine or sanctions and exercise | ||
civil jurisdiction in matters in controversy up to $20,000; | ||
justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the | ||
people; and | ||
WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the court as | ||
bailiffs, execute civil and criminal process issued by Texas | ||
courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; the | ||
first known constable to serve in Texas was appointed in 1823; and | ||
WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities of | ||
the offices of justice of the peace and constable perform their | ||
official duties with integrity, dedication, and the required | ||
knowledge of the law, thereby contributing immeasurably to the | ||
justice system, the safety of the citizens of Texas, and the peace | ||
and order of our society; and | ||
WHEREAS, For more than 75 years, the Justices of the Peace and | ||
Constables Association of Texas has represented the interests of | ||
justices of the peace, constables, and members of their staffs | ||
across the Lone Star State, and today the organization boasts a | ||
membership of over 2,000; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature | ||
hereby recognize February 7, 2023, as Justices of the Peace and | ||
Constables Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by the | ||
Texas Senate. |