Oregon Justices of the Peace Association
Oregon Justices of the Peace Association
Welcome

OJPA/OMJA Conference

Baker City  September 22-24, 2010

Justice  Courts in Oregon serve twenty one Oregon counties with 32 Justices of the Peace in 41 courts. 

Justices of the Peace are elected by the voters in their respective counties for six year terms and are non partisan.  Justice Courts have jurisdiction over traffic tickets, fish and game tickets, landlord tenant cases, small claims cases, and, in some counties, have criminal jurisdiction for misdemeanor crimes.

Justice Courts were established in Oregon when Oregon was a territory, with the first Justice of the Peace chosen in 1847.   When Oregon became a state in 1859, Justice Courts continued in every county.  In the second half of the twentieth century, Justice Courts declined, but the Circuit Courts were not able to handle the volume of cases as quickly as Justice Courts.  See, History

Now, the number of Justice Courts are growing, as counties are realizing that Justice Courts are able to serve the needs of citizens for speedy and responsible justice and adjudication of disputes.   Justice Courts are an integral part of county government.

Justices of the Peace are required to attend continuing legal education classes.  About half of the Justices of the Peace in Oregon are lawyers.  Justices of the Peace are paid by the county general fund and their salaries and the courts' budgets are not determined by any fine revenue.  Many judges are members of the National Judges Association, which also provides legal training classes. 

Disclaimers 

History of Oregon Justice Courts

©2009 -2010 Oregon Justices of the Peace Association.

                                                                         This page last updated June 1, 2010

OJPA/OMJA Conference

Baker City  September 22-24, 2010

Justice  Courts in Oregon serve twenty one Oregon counties with 32 Justices of the Peace in 41 courts. 

Justices of the Peace are elected by the voters in their respective counties for six year terms and are non partisan.  Justice Courts have jurisdiction over traffic tickets, fish and game tickets, landlord tenant cases, small claims cases, and, in some counties, have criminal jurisdiction for misdemeanor crimes.

Justice Courts were established in Oregon when Oregon was a territory, with the first Justice of the Peace chosen in 1847.   When Oregon became a state in 1859, Justice Courts continued in every county.  In the second half of the twentieth century, Justice Courts declined, but the Circuit Courts were not able to handle the volume of cases as quickly as Justice Courts.  See, History

Now, the number of Justice Courts are growing, as counties are realizing that Justice Courts are able to serve the needs of citizens for speedy and responsible justice and adjudication of disputes.   Justice Courts are an integral part of county government.

Justices of the Peace are required to attend continuing legal education classes.  About half of the Justices of the Peace in Oregon are lawyers.  Justices of the Peace are paid by the county general fund and their salaries and the courts' budgets are not determined by any fine revenue.  Many judges are members of the National Judges Association, which also provides legal training classes. 

Disclaimers 

History of Oregon Justice Courts

©2009 -2010 Oregon Justices of the Peace Association.

                                                                         This page last updated June 1, 2010

Oregon State Capitol Building

Oregon State Capitol Building

Officers

Lise Yervasi, President

Charles Fadeley, Vice President

Carol Roberts, Secretary

Cynthia Mitchell, Treasurer

Charles Fadeley,  Director at large

Cris Patnode, Immediate Past President

Lise Yervasi, President

Charles Fadeley, Vice President

Carol Roberts, Secretary

Cynthia Mitchell, Treasurer

Charles Fadeley,  Director at large

Cris Patnode, Immediate Past President

Oregon Justices of the Peace Association