how to become a justice of the peace

What Is a Justice of the Peace?

Justices of the peace (JPs) are appointed by the governor and elected to office or commissioned by a major political party. The job of a JP can vary greatly between states. Not every state has the provisions for a justice of the peace and, in many instances, the duties of a JP have been redistributed to other state officials.

The duty often associated with a JP is to perform marriage ceremonies. Depending on the state, JPs may also administer oaths and take affidavits and acknowledgments. They may also issue subpoenas in relation to depositions, command witnesses to appear before police commissioner boards, issue tax warrants or sit on tax abatement cases. Some states authorize JPs to call meetings of corporations, municipalities, utilities or property lying in common. JPs sometimes serve as election officials or perform the same duties as notaries public. In rare instances, JPs can act as magistrates or coroners. The median annual salary for judges and magistrates was $136,910 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Justices of the peace have an important role in the U.S. judicial system.

Career Requirements

Degree Level	None; law-related training could be beneficial
Degree Field	Criminal justice, political science, legal studies, American history
Licensure/Certification	Upon successful election, nomination or appointment, a JP is commissioned ('licensed') by the appropriate authority
Experience	None; previous legal experience or holding a state office could assist in obtaining appointment, election, or nomination
Additional Requirements	Clean criminal record, no history of revoked professional license(s), and upstanding citizen of good character; ability to impartially uphold laws and perform duties; registered voter (required in some states)
Median Salary (2019)	$136,910 (for all judges and magistrates)

Sources: State government websites of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

No degree required is required to be a justice of the peace, but law-related training could be beneficial, such as studies in criminal justice, political science, legal studies or American history. No experience is required either, but previous legal experience or holding a state office could assist in obtaining appointment, election or nomination. You'll need to have a clean criminal record and no history of revoked professional licenses. Becoming a justice of the peace also requires that you are an upstanding citizen of good character and have the ability to impartially uphold laws and perform duties. In some states you also need to be a registered voter. Upon successful election, nomination or appointment, you'll be commissioned or licensed by the appropriate authority.

Steps to Become a Justice of the Peace

Let's take a look at the steps you need to take to become a justice of the peace.

Step 1: Obtain a Legal Education

Unlike other local and state judges, justices of the peace aren't required to hold a law degree, although such training can be beneficial. There are, in fact, no formal education requirements for this career; however, individuals with legal expertise could have an easier time seeking appointment, election or nomination. Aspiring JPs may consider undergraduate programs in legal areas, such as criminal justice, political science or legal studies.

Step 2: Seek Nomination, Appointment or Election

Some states, such as Connecticut, allocate JP positions based on the number of political party members holding state offices. These states require a candidate to be nominated by the major political party, and the party files the nominee's certificate of appointment with the town clerk. The rest of the vacancies are filled by considering applications filed by individuals not affiliated with a major political party and are chosen by lottery if there are more applications than openings.

In other states, such as Massachusetts, the governor appoints a JP. A person seeking to become a JP must submit an application, which is typically available from the governor's office or the secretary of state's office. The application requests general information about the applicant and his or her criminal history. Prominent individuals within the community may have to sign the application and submit letters of recommendation, depending on the jurisdiction.

If the JP is elected, which is the case in Vermont, the candidate must file a petition containing a required number of signatures with the town clerk to be placed on the ballot. Once candidates are listed on the ballot, they can begin conducting their election campaigns.

Step 3: File Oath of Office

In many cases, the appointee or justice of the peace-elect must appear at an appointed time and place and take the oath of office. In other cases, an appointee takes and files the oath of office at a designated government office within a specific number of days after being elected or appointed. After the oath of office is on file, the JP may commence the duties of his or her office.

You don't need to meet any specific education or experience requirements to become a justice of the peace, but you must be appointed or elected into office.