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78R8404 MMS-D

By:  Lewis                                                      H.C.R. No. 109



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Throughout the State of Texas, justices of the peace 
and constables play a vital role in local government; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Constitution provides for each of these 
offices, both of which originated many centuries ago; in England, 
the office of constable was first established by King John in 1215 
and that of justice of the peace by King Edward III in 1362; the two 
offices made their appearance in the American colonies in 1620, 
where they were among the first civil posts to be created; and
	WHEREAS, Justices of the peace are an integral part of the 
Texas judiciary; the courts over which they preside were first 
established in Texas in 1836, when Texas became a republic, and are 
the courts that are closest to the people; justices of the peace 
exercise jurisdiction in criminal misdemeanor cases punishable by 
fine or sanctions only and hear civil cases where the amount in 
dispute does not exceed $5,000; and
	WHEREAS, The office of constable was first created in Texas 
in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin, while Texas was still a part of 
Mexico; constables serve as the executive officers of the justice 
of the peace courts, acting as bailiffs, executing civil and 
criminal process issued by Texas courts, and enforcing criminal 
laws as certified peace officers; and
	WHEREAS, In order to fulfill their myriad and demanding 
responsibilities, justices of the peace and constables undergo 
extensive training; constables are licensed by the Texas Commission 
on Law Enforcement, and justices of the peace are certified through 
the Texas Justice Court Training Center at Southwest Texas State 
University; and
	WHEREAS, The men and women who serve as justice of the peace 
and constable are skilled individuals who perform the duties of 
their office with integrity and dedication, and they contribute 
immeasurably to the justice system, the safety of the citizens of 
Texas, and the peace and order of our society; and
	WHEREAS, These officials and their staffs are ably 
represented by the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association 
of Texas, Inc. (JPCA); with a membership numbering more than 4,000 
public servants, JPCA has provided a corporate voice for constables 
and justices of the peace for nearly 50 years; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby proclaim March 25, 2003, as JPCA Day in Texas and extend to 
all Texas constables and justices of the peace its deep 
appreciation for their invaluable service to the people of the Lone 
Star State.