justice of the peace

noun phrase

: a local magistrate empowered chiefly to administer summary justice in minor cases, to commit for trial, and to administer oaths and perform marriages

Examples of justice of the peace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Williamson County justices of the peace say medical examiner needed for volume of deaths The total budget for the county has jumped from $560.1 million last year to $635.1 million this year, according to county figures. —Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 28 Aug. 2024

The new positions include four death investigators to help the justices of the peace. —Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 28 Aug. 2024

Each court has one justice of the peace and one constable. —Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Arroyo went through the eviction process herself during the pandemic and said that experience motivated her to run for justice of the peace. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

justice of the peace

: a local official having the authority to try minor cases, to administer oaths, and to perform marriages

Legal Definition

justice of the peace

: a local judicial official who is empowered chiefly to administer oaths, perform marriage ceremonies, certify documents, and in some states may have additional judicial powers (as to issue summonses)