Justice of the Peace

The office of Justice of the Peace originated in England and was brought to this country by the early colonists. The office existed in Connecticut in some form from the beginning of the colony.

At one time when this State had a multi-tiered Court system with substantial judicial business being conducted by municipal and city Court judges, the elected Justice of the Peace had substantial authority with respect to the administration of minor Courts in this State. Over the years the scope of authority of this official has been narrowed so that in 1988 the role of the Justice of the Peace was limited to certain grants of authority enumerated by statute. Justices of the Peace have general oath giving powers (Conn. Gen. Stat.§1-24), may take acknowledgments (Conn. Gen. Stat.§1-29), may join persons in marriage (Conn. Gen. Stat.§46b-22), and may take depositions (Conn. Gen. Stat.§52-148c).

Reference (Justice of the Peace Manual, Pg. 2)

How To Apply

You must be a registered voter in the Town.
If you are registered in a Major Party after May 1, you must contact the Town Committee Chairman and request to be nominated. Local parties will make their nominations during the month of May of the Presidential Election year.
If you are not registered in a Major Party, as of May 1, you may apply to the Town Clerk between August 1 – November 1, of the Presidential Election year.

Registered in a Major Party?

The local Major parties will make their nominations and forward that information to the Town Clerk’s office. Nominations made during the appropriate period will take office, after being sworn-in, on the first business day in January, following the Presidential Election. (§CGS §9-183b)

If you are being nominated to fill a vacant Major Party seat, you will have ten (10) days from the date of the Town Committee meeting at which the nomination was approved. The parties must notify the Town Clerk as soon as a nomination to fill a vacant seat is approved. (CGS §9-184)

Unaffiliated and Minor Parties

If you are not registered in a Major Party or are an Unaffiliated elector, you may apply to the Town Clerk for possible appointment. The Town Clerk appoints 15 seats. If more than 15 applications are received, the Town Clerk will hold a lottery for non-incumbent applications in order to fill the remaining seats. The Town Clerk appointment process takes place every four (4) years, unless they have received more applications than there are available seats to appoint. Should a vacancy appear, the Town Clerk would utilize the list of applicants drawn during the lottery process to fill such vacancy. (CGS §9-184c)

Incompatible Offices

A Justice of the Peace may not hold the office of State Marshal. (CGS §6-29)

Justice of the Peace Application 2025-2029 (Choose Fit to Page when printing)

Current Justice of the Peace Listing