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

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

An Austin City Council member lost by 95 votes, a Cedar Park council member lost re-election by two votes, a Williamson County commissioner won by 166 votes, an incumbent justice of the peace lost by 89 votes. —Terry Cook, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Apr. 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)