Steps Of Becoming A Justice Of The Peace MA

By Jessica Brown


This is ideally an officer that takes the role of performing marriages, signing affidavits and hearing oaths that are made. Hence, the main role of this officer is to oversee marriages. All legal marriages are thus conducted by this government official. These professionals are usually elected in most states. In Massachusetts, this official is appointed or nominated by the governor. Hence, if you aspire to become a JP, it is wise to know the requirements of your state. Below are the steps that you can follow if you would like to become a Justice of The Peace MA officer.

To begin with, it is imperative to understand that these officials are appointed and commissioned by the current governor. Thus, it is the governor that appoints and commissions these officials. The major roles of these professionals are different in all states. For instance, some states do not have any provisions for these officials. The roles that are carried by the JPs are thus distributed to the other officials.

A degree in law is not mandatory for any person aspiring to become a JP. However, some states require the aspirants to have alternative training in law-related subjects for them to qualify. The people that have obtained a degree in legal studies, American history, political science and criminal justice will however have better chances. Therefore, it is good to have some training for you to qualify and become a commissioned JP.

Therefore, this job is not like most state judges that require a person to have an M. D in law. Even though any person can apply, some states require the applicants to have a background of law. Thus, they should attend some training on the same for them to qualify to apply for the job.

Once the aspiring JPs have completed the law-related training, they can seek nomination, appointment or election. There are some sates that allocate these officials based on the total numbers of political party members that are holding the state offices. Such states thus require the candidate to be elected by the leading or major political party. These are thus some of the regulations that should be followed.

In other states like MA, the JP should be appointed or elected to office by the governor. Thus, the aspirants have to apply for the position for them to b appointed. There is an application form that should be filled. The form is obtained from the state secretary or governors office. The applicant thus has to go and request to be given the form.

The main things that the form needs are the general information about the applicant like gender, age, residence, etc. Also, the applicant should fill their criminal record. There are states that require prominent people in the community to sign and recommend the applicant while other states do not have this requirement.

When the aspirant becomes elected to office, he/she must file an oath for him/she to fully become a government official. Some states will need the newly elect to go to the designated office at a certain time and take the oath while other states have other procedures that they use.




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