Tom Green Commissioners to Appoint New Justice of the Peace

SAN ANGELO, TX- Tom Green County’s Commissioners Court plans to appoint a new Justice of the Peace Tuesday, December 6, in light of Kay Longest's passing last month.

Ralph Hoelsher, Precinct 1 Commissioner, talked to LIVE! about the application process for selecting a new judge.

“We will get a chance to speak to applicants Tuesday,” Hoelsher said. “They will get a chance to speak with us for about five minutes as well.”

After closed session interviews are finished, he said the voting members would go into an Executive Session. After this, voting will take place on the appointment of the new JP.

Speaking about the applicants' resumes, Hoelsher said they should have some kind of background in law and be able to “enforce the law.”  This means being able to work with citizens of Tom Green county and maintain the standard for the position set by the late Kay Longest.

Bill Ford, Precinct 4 Commissioner, spoke of the urgency of appointing a new justice given how much work is on the docket for the justices across each precinct.

Ford mentioned he had seen three applications so far; however, there could be more that he didn’t get to review yet. The due date for turning in applications ended Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m.  

The vote will pass with a three vote majority, and the new justice will be sworn in at the beginning of 2017. Because Jan. 1st (Election Day) falls on a Sunday, Hoelsher mentioned the swearing in date could be moved to Jan. 2nd instead. 

Judge Steve Floyd said he expects a new judge to be appointed to an "unexpired term" after the commissioners meet Tuesday. The only requirements for the job are to be 18 years old, not a felon, have lived six months in the precinct to be represented, of sound mind, and 12 months as a Texas resident. 

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Updated with information added from Judge Floyd by Joe Hyde