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Justices Of The Peace And Magistrates In Virginia And West Virginia, Krista Unterzuber

Master's Theses

The justice of the peace system has long been a part of the judicial process in the United States. The system originated in Great Britain and was transferred to the British colonies in the seventeenth century. Through the years the duties of the justice of the peace increased in number and importance. In recent years the powers of the office have declined and criticism of the system has mounted. As a result sane state governments have eliminated the justice of the peace system entirely and instituted the magistrate system. Two states which have taken such action are Virginia and West …