Judge carefully when selecting new JP
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Dear voters of Lake County, I want to extend to you the importance of the upcoming election of the Justice of the Peace. This is a position I currently have the privilege to serve, although I am not a candidate in the election. Based on my experience, I urge you to consider the following.
The Justice Court of Lake County is one of the busiest courts in the state. Its caseload ranks in the top 10 with the largest of Montana’s municipalities. Among these, it’s the only court served by just one judge. Thus, the judge you elect must be intensely committed to the job.
Justice Court handles more cases than most of us realize, nearly 10 times more cases that District Court. This includes civil matters — between people like you and me — small claims and landlord-tenant disputes. In traffic and criminal cases, Justice Court deals with offenses that carry possible penalties of up to one year in jail. Many of these are offenses that affect the broad spectrum of society, like speeding, driving without liability insurance, DUIs, drug possessions and assault, to name a few. The new JP needs a broad range of skills to manage these approximately 5,000 cases per year in Lake County, including the necessary abilities to organize the incredible load of paperwork.
In addition to paper management, the Justice of the Peace needs exceptional abilities in people management. A common day in Justice Court sees a variety of people, some who are unjustly accused, but many who have made mistakes — some terrible mistakes, some minor. Some people will be corrected by our judicial system; others might be failed by it. The Justice of the Peace needs to have the moxie to identify these differences and the integrity to deal with all people effectively.
In addition, the Lake County Justice of the Peace needs to be a business manager who oversees a budget and staff. When I took this position, three of four clerks who serve Justice Court were newly hired as a result of staff turnover. This is because the clerks’ work can be stressful, acting as the front-line in a busy office that services the public in a demanding environment. Our Justice of the Peace needs insight and sensitivity to guide staff in these difficult circumstances.
Finally, you should consider the level of intelligence necessary of a JP. While some judges are required to have a law degree, only about 10 percent of the group of judges in Montana that includes JPs have this level of education. As Justice of the Peace, I feel fortunate to have a law degree for the many hours of reading statutes and case law and working with pro se litigants who need direction in the legal system. That being said, the law does not require our next JP to have a law degree, nor am I advocating that you consider only this factor. With or without a law degree, the next JP will work with attorneys and office staff who have more experience in Justice Court. Maybe the more qualified candidate is the one who can graciously handle humility.
In making your vote for Lake County Justice of the Peace, I encourage you to put politics aside, go beyond mere name recognition, and select a judge who is qualified by integrity, insight and intelligence.
On Nov. 6, you be the judge.
