The Man Who Put 177 Bikers in Prison.. Fast Facts about Walter H. Peterson
-— The Justice of the Peace that issued the arrest warrants, Walter H. “Pete” Peterson, is a former Public Safety Trooper with no formal legal training; meaning he is not a judge nor an attorney! -—
I lived in Texas for forty years and never knew JP’s could set bail in felony cases. I thought bail had to be set by a judge competent to hear a case involving what the defendants have been charged with.
Those who says JP’s are not “judges” are incorrect, at least as far as Texas is concerned. It’s unfortunate JP’s don’t have to be attorneys, and I bet the Waco fiasco will finally result in legislation this coming session to address the matter.
Here is an example. You will see Judge before each JP’s name -
http://www.dallascounty.org/department/jpcourts/jpcourts_intro.php
In most populous Texas counties JPs are attorneys. But I don’t think formally licensing was required to practice law in Texas until 1939 or 1940 -
https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/jos02
Texas is a big state. There is a reason why when the laws were first written JPs didn’t have to be attorneys. And it still true today in some Texas counties -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_County,_Texas
“Loving County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 82, making it the least populous county in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 677 square miles.”
Of course none of the above should be construed as a defense of Peterson.