AGO Opinion Topics: PART TIME JUSTICE PEACE

The limit on the monetary jurisdiction of a part-time justice of the peace under chapter 96, Laws of 1965, is $500.00, irrespective of whether or not the particular justice of the peace is required by law to be a licensed attorney.

(1) Under the 1961 justice court act a justice court presided over by a part-time justice of the peace may pursuant to RCW 3.34.130 designate a justice of the peace pro tempore to serve on his behalf. (2) The compensation of a pro tempore justice who takes the place of a part-time justice is based on the amount provided for a full-time justice under RCW 3.58.010 according to the formula appearing in RCW 3.34.130.