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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud members of the Justices of the Peace and |
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Constables Association of Texas are gathering in Austin on |
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February 7, 2023, for Justices of the Peace and Constables Day at |
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the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, The office of justice of the peace, first |
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established in 1362 by King Edward of England, and the office of |
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constable, first established in 1215 by King John of England, were |
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two of the first offices established in the American colonies in |
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1620; both offices were created by the Texas Constitution |
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approximately two centuries later and continue to serve a vital |
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role in the system of county government; and |
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WHEREAS, Justices of the peace are an integral part of the |
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Texas judiciary; they exercise jurisdiction in criminal |
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misdemeanor cases punishable by fine or sanctions and exercise |
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civil jurisdiction in matters in controversy up to $20,000; |
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justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the |
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people; and |
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WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the court as |
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bailiffs, execute civil and criminal process issued by Texas |
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courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; the |
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first known constable to serve in Texas was appointed in 1823; and |
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WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities of |
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the offices of justice of the peace and constable perform their |
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official duties with integrity, dedication, and the required |
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knowledge of the law, thereby contributing immeasurably to the |
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justice system, the safety of the citizens of Texas, and the peace |
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and order of our society; and |
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WHEREAS, For more than 75 years, the Justices of the Peace and |
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Constables Association of Texas has represented the interests of |
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justices of the peace, constables, and members of their staffs |
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across the Lone Star State, and today the organization boasts a |
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membership of over 2,000; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby recognize February 7, 2023, as Justices of the Peace and |
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Constables Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas Senate. |