| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Members of the Justices of the Peace and Constables |
|
|
Association of Texas are gathering in Austin on March 4, 2025; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Integral to the state's judiciary and county |
|
|
government systems, the offices of constable and justice of the |
|
|
peace were both created by the Texas Constitution; justices of the |
|
|
peace exercise jurisdiction in criminal misdemeanor cases |
|
|
punishable by fine or sanctions and civil matters valued up to |
|
|
$20,000; constables serve as officers of the court as bailiffs, |
|
|
execute court-issued civil and criminal processes, and enforce |
|
|
criminal laws as certified peace officers; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Justices of the Peace and Constables Association |
|
|
of Texas has represented these officers and their staffs since |
|
|
1945; through a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, it |
|
|
provides judicial and court personnel training at its Texas Justice |
|
|
Court Training Center; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Today, JPCA serves more than 2,000 members, |
|
|
including over 800 justices of the peace and more than 600 |
|
|
constables; it is currently led by Judge Holly Williamson, its |
|
|
president, and Constable Carlos Lopez serves as president-elect; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, For more than 80 years, the Justices of the Peace and |
|
|
Constables Association of Texas has supported its members in their |
|
|
vital endeavors by advancing their knowledge and furthering a proud |
|
|
tradition of integrity and dedication, and in so doing, the |
|
|
organization contributes significantly to public safety and the |
|
|
fair administration of justice across the state; now, therefore, be |
|
|
it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize March 4, 2025, as Justices of the |
|
|
Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol and extend to all |
|
|
those in attendance sincere best wishes for a memorable and |
|
|
enjoyable visit to Austin. |