Q: Judge Steve Seider serves in Precinct 3, but the office is Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 2; what is “Place 2”?
 
A: Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 has two “Places” – both “Places” have concurrent jurisdiction over Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. The “Place” is a term that is used to designate different elected offices with concurrent jurisdiction and within the identical geographic area.

 

• “Place” is also used to designate offices on Texas’ Courts of Appeals, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court.
   

• While all of the other courts that contain the designation “Place” occupy the same courtroom and courthouse—the Justice of the Peace “Places” do not use the same courtroom, nor are they located in the same courthouse even though the geographical area of their jurisdiction is identical.
   

• Judge Steve Seider hears cases in the courtroom for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 2 - in the North Dallas Government Center located at 6820 LBJ Freeway, Suite 2100, Texas on the southwest corner of I-635 / LBJ Freeway and Hillcrest Road (the former Brinker Building).

​

Q: Do I vote only for the Justice of the Peace that is closest to my home?  Or…do I cast a ballot for both Place 1 and Place 2?

​

A: You cast a ballot for each “Place” that appears on the ballot – that is, you vote for BOTH:

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2 AND
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1

​

• Just as you cast votes for each “Place” on a Court of Appeals, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court, you vote for each “Place” for Justice of the Peace.

​

• If the race appears on the ballot, you can and should cast a vote for the candidate you believe would best serve in that office.

​

Q: How can I vote to re-elect Steve Seider as our Justice of the Peace, for Precinct 3, Place 2?

​

A: Cast an individual vote for Steve Seider for Justice of Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2.  This will be near the VERY END of the BALLOT, as the offices are listed on the ballot in order of their jurisdiction.

​

Q: What kind of cases are heard by a Justice of the Peace?

​

A: A Justice of the Peace hears many types of cases and is often seen as “The People’s Court”. The Justice of the Peace duties include hearing:

​

• Small Claims cases – cases up to $20,000.00 in damages.

​

• Eviction cases – residential or commercial.

​

• Collection cases.

​

• Repair and Remedy cases – wherein a tenant alleges the failure of a landlord to effect repairs that materially effect the health and safety of the tenant.

​

• Traffic cases and Class “C” misdemeanors (“fine-only” offenses) filed by agencies other than a municipal/city police agency:

​

          College District Police
          Constable office
          Dallas County Sheriff’s Office
          DART Police and Fare Enforcement Officers
          Hospital District Police
          Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission Officers
          Texas Game Wardens
          Texas Highway Patrol

​

• Additional matters that are handled include:

​

          Arrest Warrants
          Search Warrants
          Emergency Chemical Dependence Warrants
          Emergency Mental Illness Warrants
          Driver’s License Suspension hearings

          Occupational Driver’s License hearings
          Peace Bond hearings
          Receiverships
          Writs of Attachment
          Writs of Execution
          Writs of Possession
          Writs of Re-entry

          Writs of Retrieval
          Writs of Sequestration