Down Home Justice

What would you do if your neighbor's dog insisted on using your yard as their toilet? Many in the state call on the People's court . The Times Picayune provides a comprehensive look at the State's Justice of the Peace system, indicating that some justices bring in over $100,000 per year with nearly zero supervision or accountability.

Suprisingly, your local Justice of the Peace has the power to issue arrest warrants (typically without conducting any investigation), garnish wages, and impose civil penalties. As the courts of first resort, Justices of the Peace provide cheap and easy access to justice. In some cases, however, those most in need of such a system are the ones most likely to suffer when the system fails. If you need to call a Justice of the Peace in your parish, just check the Secretary of State's elected officials database lisiting.

Posted by AJR at December 15, 2002 05:39 PM