Court Proceedings in the Justice of the Peace Court


Civil

Filing or Defending a Civil Action

Starting an Action: Learn how to start an action in the Justice of the Peace Court to collect a debt, recover items of property, obtain compensation for property damage, or obtain possession of a rental unit.
 How to Start a Civil Action in the Justice of the Peace Court
Responding to an Action: When you receive the complaint, you will also receive a summons which will direct you as to the next step which you need to take to avoid a default judgment.
 How to Respond to a Civil Action in the Justice of the Peace Court
Preparing for Trial: Learn tips on how to prepare for trial
 Preparing for Trial in the Justice of the Peace Court
What to expect at Trial: Learn what to expect at your court hearing.
 What to Expect at Trial in the Justice of the Peace Court
Landlord/Tenant: Learn how to file or defend a Landlord/Tenant (Summary Possession Action) to obtain or keep possession of a rental unit.
 How to File and Defend a Summary Possession Action in the Justice of the Peace Court

Judgments

Default judgment: A default judgment may be entered when no answer is received by the Court from the Defendant within the proper time period or when the Defendant fails to appear as required.
 Obtaining a Default Judgment in the Justice of the Peace Court
Non-suit judgment: A non-suit judgment occurs when a plaintiff, after proper notice, fails to appear at the designated trial date and time.
 Justice of the Peace Court Non-Suit Judgments

Collecting a Judgment

After the judgment has been paid: The plaintiff must notify court when the judgment has been paid.
Collecting and/or reviving a judgment: Learn how to collect and/or revive a judgment.
Transferring/disputing the transfer of a judgment: Learn how to transfer or dispute the transfer of a judgment from another state.
 How to Collect and/or Revive a Judgment in the Justice of the Peace Court
How to calculate post judgment interest.
 Interest Rates

Post-Judgment Procedures

Learn more about post judgment procedures such as motions to vacate a judgment or appeals.
 Civil Post-Judgment Procedures in the Justice of the Peace Court

Traffic

Traffic Tickets

Learn about your options if you have received a traffic ticket.
 Traffic Frequently Asked Questions, Justice of the Peace Court

Criminal

Crime Victim Information

Information for persons who have been victims of crime.
 Crime Victim Information

Offense and Defendant Information

Information for those accused of an offense in the Justice of the Peace Court.
 Information for Defendants in the Justice of the Peace Courts

Probation before Judgment

Probation before judgment (PBJ) provides a means for a first offender to avoid having a conviction entered against him or her.
 Probation Before Judgment in the Justice of the Peace Court Questions and Answers

Videophone System

The videophone allows the police, courts, and other participating agencies to conduct business without physically traveling among their offices.
 Justice of the Peace Court Videophone System

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary of Legal Terms