Bill Text: TX SR331 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 22, 2011, as Justices of the Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-22 - Reported enrolled [SR331 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-SR331-Enrolled.html
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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; and | ||
WHEREAS, In Texas, both offices were created by the Texas | ||
Constitution, and they serve a vital role in the delivery of | ||
county government responsibilities to citizens on the local | ||
level; and | ||
WHEREAS, The 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 of controversy under $10,000; | ||
justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the | ||
people and were first established as "grass roots" courts in 1836 | ||
when Texas became a republic; and | ||
WHEREAS, The constables serve as officers of the court as | ||
bailiffs, execute civil and criminal processes issued by Texas | ||
courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; | ||
constables were first documented in Texas in 1823 by Stephen F. | ||
Austin when Texas was still under Mexican rule; and | ||
WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities | ||
of the offices of justice of the peace and constable perform the | ||
duties of their office 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, The Justices of the Peace and Constables | ||
Association of Texas, Incorporated, has represented the | ||
interests of more than 4,000 Texas justices of the peace, | ||
constables, and members of their staffs for over 60 years; and | ||
WHEREAS, The dedication of a special day to focus attention | ||
on the contributions of these public officials to our state is | ||
appropriate and will enlighten the public as to their role in our | ||
judicial system; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd | ||
Legislature, hereby proclaim February 22, 2011, Justices of the | ||
Peace and Constables Day, welcome the visiting members of the | ||
Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, | ||
Incorporated, to the State Capitol, and commend the justices of | ||
the peace and constables of our state for serving and protecting | ||
the citizens of Texas; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the | ||
Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, | ||
Incorporated, as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. | ||
Williams | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on February 22, 2011. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |