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

Meanwhile, in October, O’Finan filed a motion in a Dallas County case to defend Miller, the Kenedy County justice of the peace, in a civil action, but then withdrew the motion the following month before a judge could rule on it. —Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 3 Feb. 2026

The race has become mired in legal questions that Curry, the incumbent, said could disrupt the office responsible for serving legal papers and acting as bailiffs in justice of the peace courts. —Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026

Cody Williams, a former justice of the peace and Phoenix City Council member, received the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award for his four decades of public service and other passions such as building homes with Habitat for Humanity, coaching youth sports and mentoring students. —Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 16 Jan. 2026

The rules require, too, that bail hearing before a judge or justice of the peace be held promptly. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025

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)