Search For New County JP Begins
By Erika Jaramillo
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Brazos County Judge Randy Sims said Sunday that it's too early in the process to decide from the small pool of applicants who will take over an unexpired term for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4.
He said he's sure of one thing though: He wants to do background checks on those who apply.
"I need to check with the commissioners but I don't want to have the same situation like this one to happen again," Sims said.
Precinct 4 JP Ramiro Quintero resigned Friday morning, less than 24 hours after he was arrested on a felony charge of tampering with evidence and two misdemeanor charges -- unauthorized practicing of law and accepting gifts as a public service.
Quintero -- who is not an attorney and, as a judge, is not allowed to give advice to people in his courtroom -- is accused of giving legal recommendations to a woman trying to file a small claims suit in his court. He's also charged with accepting a payment from the woman and then later -- after being confronted by authorities -- flushing the evidence down the toilet.
Sims said he's received at least five phone calls inquiring about the position, but he anticipates more since Quintero's resignation isn't official until 5 p.m. Monday.
"[Today] we will post a meeting with the commissioners and discuss what kind of qualifications the court is looking for," Sims said, adding that the selection will be made by the commissioners court, not just by him. He said the qualities he's looking for include honesty and integrity.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old and have lived in the U.S. for 10 years and in Texas for seven years, but also must reside in Precinct 4. A justice of peace in Texas is not required to have a law license, nor do he or she have to have a high school diploma.
Sims said he hopes the commissioner's court can pick a new judge by the end of next week. In the meantime, other JPs are sharing the job duties.
Published on Monday, June 22, 2009
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