Case Types
The Justice Courts adjudicate class C misdemeanor cases that are punishable by fine only, including traffic tickets, penal code offenses, hot checks and Parks and Wildlife violations. They also deal extensively with juvenile matters including informing juveniles of their rights before being questioned by a law enforcement officer, truancy (compulsory school attendance cases), alcohol and tobacco violations, and other class C misdemeanor.
Responsibilities
The Midland County Justices of the Peace are the designated Magistrates for Midland County. Each day a Justice of the Peace reviews arrest affidavits and criminal complaints to determine if sufficient probable cause exists, informs defendants of their rights, sets bond and issues bond conditions on offenses when and where appropriate including Emergency Protective Orders in family violence cases.
All Magistrate Hearings are held:
Sunday – Saturday
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Justices of the Peace also enforce certain county and state ordinances; including environmental violations, illegal dumping, illegal towing, and burn bans violations.
The Justice of the Peace also has jurisdiction in all civil cases in which the amount of controversy is $20,000 or less. These may include:
- Evictions
- Landlord and tenant matters
- Matters concerning foreclosure of mortgages
- General small claim cases
- Suits on account (debt claim)
- Enforcement of liens on personal property
- Driver’s license hearings
- Tort cases
Legal Advice
THE MIDLAND COUNTY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND THE CLERKS OF THE MIDLAND COUNTY JUSTICE COURTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. YOU ARE URGED TO REVIEW ANY APPLICABLE LAWS, JUSTICE COURT CIVIL RULES OF PROCEDURE AND TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR ANSWERS TO SPECIFIC LEGAL QUESTIONS.