Latest news with #JPs
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting raises questions about budget legality
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Just three days after the majority group for the justices of the peace passed a 2025 budget in a special quorum court meeting, the Jefferson County Quorum Court met for its regularly scheduled meeting, and questions were raised. The meeting on Monday night was filled with tension, as some officials questioned whether recent decisions, including Friday's special session to approve the budget, were legally or procedurally sound. Jefferson County Justices of the Peace pass 2025 budget in special meeting Justice of the Peace for District 10 Conley Bryd even stated he never received notice of the special session. Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson also expressed his concerns for the validity of the meeting once more, saying it's something he is actively seeking legal advice on along with what he calls the improper procedural ordinance. The roots of the controversy date back to December 2024, when Robinson presented his proposed budget to the quorum court. Since then, all budgets that the judge proposed have failed, even with new concessions. However, the budget passed during the special quorum court meeting Friday is the same budget the majority of JPs pushed at the beginning of the year, and the same one previously vetoed by Judge Robinson and failed to be overturned. More than 300 Jefferson County employees finally paid after county budget bill is signed into law Despite the approval, it's far from settled. The judge now has seven days to respond. 'Well, for one, we aren't sure if he is going to veto it or not because he didn't mention it,' said District 3 Justice Reginald Johnson. 'He hadn't said anything — but that does not mean he will not exercise his power to veto.' Robinson appeared to confirm that possibility. 'If I veto it, they will probably have the numbers to override it,' Robinson said. 'But at least I will have done my part as county judge to protect the county's interest — the county's money.' Gridlock continues in effort to pass 2025 Jefferson County budget The debate didn't end there, as the procedural ordinance still remains in question to the judge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
27-01-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Number of justices of the peace declining in Nunavut
Social Sharing The number of justices of the peace (JPs) in Nunavut has gone down by 40 per cent since 2016, according to numbers from the territory's justice department. JPs are judicial officers who issue warrants, and regularly conduct first appearance and bail hearings, among other matters. There are currently 31 JPs in the territory, down from 51 in 2016. The number of Nunavut communities with a JP has also decreased in that time, from 22 to 17. Iqaluit-based civil lawyer Anne Crawford says JPs hold crucial local knowledge specific to their communities, and fewer JPs mean more delays in the court system. "We see the impacts in terms of not being able to resolve situations of domestic violence because things circle round and round … and people are released again and again," she said. Over time, those situations can worsen, she said, and eventually people begin to lose faith in the judicial process. "Many times women don't want to end up in a big formal court, making witness statements and dealing with Crown prosecutors. So it really hampers community resolution." The Nunavut Court of Justice serves both the superior and territorial court for the territory, meaning it's a unitary court system. Crawford believes that's allowed the Nunavut government to disengage with policies to do with the justice system, including with JPs. In written statements to CBC News, the justice department says it doesn't have definitive information behind the decline in JPs, but it will continue to monitor the situation. "The Nunavut Court has always relied heavily on the contributions of its community justices of the peace to deliver justice in Nunavut. It plans to continue to do so," the statement reads. "Having a thriving community JP program is key to the proper administration of justice in Nunavut." Recruiting JPs a priority, says new chief justice Nunavut's new chief justice, Susan Cooper, was officially sworn in on Friday, after being appointed by the prime minister late last year. She has said that community engagement would be a priority for her in her new role, and in particular the recruitment and training of community justices of the peace in all three Nunavut regions. She has also recently taken on the role as chair of the independent justices of the peace appointment committee. Crawford believes the focus has to be on appointments among Inuit, and in communities outside of Iqaluit.
