The Justice of the Peace adjudicates class C misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, including traffic tickets, penal code offenses, and hot checks. J.P.s also enforce certain county and state ordinances; including environmental violations, illegal dumping, illegal towing, and burn bans.
They have jurisdiction in all civil cases in which the amount of controversy is $20,000 or less. (The jurisdictional amount for Repair and Remedy Cases is still $10,000) These may include tort cases and suits on account, landlord and tenant matters, evictions, matters concerning foreclosure of mortgages and enforcement of liens on personal property, and driver's license hearings.
A Justice of the Peace may also issue warrants for search and arrest, conduct preliminary hearings, administers oaths, handle emergency protective orders during Magistrate process, perform marriages and they are a Magistrate Judge and Coroner.