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

Michele Fiore, former Las Vegas City councilwoman and Republican justice of the peace in Nye County, last year was convicted of six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

The judge in the case was another Floridian, a former justice of the peace, clerk of the court, and lawyer whose appointment was given the stamp of approval by Tallahassee newspapers. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 3 Apr. 2025

Cavanagh served as city marshal, city recorder and justice of the peace. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Benton County justice of the peace contests District 2 — Republican incumbent Ken Farmer vs. Democrat Alex Tabor. —Alex Golden, Axios, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for justice of the peace

• altarpiece
• centerpiece
• frontispiece
• mantelpiece
• masterpiece
• pilates
• summarise
• syntheses
• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice

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)