Justice of the Peace: Duties, Criteria, etc 1870

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s1nead
Posts: 93
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:33 pm
Location: San Diego

Justice of the Peace: Duties, Criteria, etc 1870

Post by s1nead » Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:39 pm

What is a Justice of the Peace?
Is it an honorary position?
Is one appointed or elected?
Is there a term of office?
What are the duties & responsibilities?

My great great grandfather, Patrick Edward Reilly, was Justice of the Peace (in Ennistymon, I think) in 1870.

Any ideas how to get more information about him or his position?

Thank you!

mcreed
Posts: 118
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:47 am

Re: Justice of the Peace: Duties, Criteria, etc 1870

Post by mcreed » Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:39 am

S1nead,

"Justices of the Peace dealt with less serious criminal matters. They could exercise their primary criminal jurisdiction, either summarily at petty sessions, or on indictment, where the justices presided with a jury at quarter sessions. They also conducted preliminary hearings for the assizes at petty sessions. If the Justice of the Peace found that there was prima facie evidence to send the accused forward for trial, a 'bill of indictment' was referred to a Grand Jury to decide if the bill was correct in form and was supported by the prima facie evidence. If the Grand Jury so found, the bill of indictment became an indictment and the accused was tried by Petty Jury at the assizes."

- this is from http://www.courts.ie/Courts.ie/Library3 ... E5004011F8

and take a look also at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of ... ce#Ireland
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of_the_peace

s1nead
Posts: 93
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:33 pm
Location: San Diego

Re: Justice of the Peace: Duties, Criteria, etc 1870

Post by s1nead » Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:08 pm

Thank you for looking this information up for me!
I should have checked that out before posting ....
Great explanations!
Susan

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