A Justice of the Peace Court is more commonly known as a “People’s Court”. This Court is a trial court for civil cases (jurisdictional limit not more than $20,000) and misdemeanor criminal cases. More specifically, a Justice Court has jurisdiction in Class C misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims/civil matters (to include debt claims), evictions, repair and remedy, truancy cases, and expunctions. A justice of the peace may also issue search or arrest warrants and serve as the coroner in counties where there is no provision for a medical examiner.
Each Judge of the Justice Court serves a four-year term after elected by voters in that precinct. If a Judge has been appointed to a Justice Court position, he/she must then be placed on the ballot to run for that judicial position. The voters of that precinct will then decide who is elected to that leadership position.
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The current Fort Bend Precinct 2, Place 2 position is a result of redistricting. Precinct 2 consists of the following: Ft. Bend-Houston, parts of Stafford, Missouri City, Fresno, Arcola, Rosharon, Thompsons, parts of Sugar Land, parts of Richmond, parts of Rosenberg and Needville.
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In our great Democracy, voters ultimately decide elections not court appointments or official appointments. The constituents of Precinct 2 can be confident in knowing that JaPaula Kemp is not only competent and compassionate... she will maintain her professional competence, uphold the law, exhibit patience, and demand respect for all litigants, lawyers, witnesses, jurors, and others within the profession and the courtroom setting. Each litigant can be assured that they will have equal access to justice and access to community resources, to include legal aid information and the kiosk and other electronic resources that were initiated and rolled out by the county attorney's office.
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EXPERIENCE | INTEGRITY | JUSTICE
I have over 20 years of legal experience and training. As a lawyer, I have represented indigent persons in criminal, juvenile and child welfare proceedings for over two decades. I will continue to assure that litigants have access to fair proceedings as well as equal access to justice. In addition, I will continue to serve and be of service in the Fort Bend Community. Being a Judge/Justice is only one aspect of being an elected official. In the words of Muhammad Ali… “Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.” Within my judicial limits and bounds, my goals are to continue to work with county officials and community partners to provide assistance and brainstorm ideas and solutions related to issues that impact the community (such as truancy, rental assistance, expunction clinics, legal aid clinics and youth empowerment).