JP Courts

Duties of the Justice of the Peace:

Each Justice of the Peace is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays,
Performs inquest regardless of location or time,
The Justice of the Peace presides over jury trial both civil and criminal,
Holds civil, criminal and traffic trials,
Completes death certificates,
Signs search warrants,
Signs warrants for Class A, Class B, and Class C felonies,
Holds truancy court,
Reads juvenile warnings,
Reads magistrate warnings,
Oversees all traffic citations,
Oversees all other complaints pertaining to parks and wildlife, health department, Texas alchol beverage commission, and trash/upper river authority,
Approves and submits, all reprts to auditor and state agencies, and
Performs all duties of the magistrate.

Judge Quincy Beavers

Downtown
106 E. Elm
Smith County Office Building
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-590-2601

Chief Clerk: Doraida Alvarado
Civil Clerk: Katherine Gilder
Clerk: Victoria Johnson

Judge Paul Fisher

Noonday
15405 Hwy. 155 S
Tyler, Texas 75703
phone: 903-590-4830
fax: 903-561-3310

Chief Clerk: Janice Wells
Asst. Civil Clerk: Mary Lee
Court Clerks: Lori Wiginton, Donna Hubbard, & Matthew Nacol

Paul Fisher was appointed as Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 on January 1, 2009.

Judge Fisher is a fair and honest man who treats others as he wishes to be treated. He is a man who leads by example, one respected by thoses who know him. Before being appointed to this position he served as the interim Constable in Precinct 2 of Smith County. Judge Fisher also served at the Safety officer of Smith County from 1994 until 2008. He retired in 1993 after serving 34 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety. At the time of his retirement Fisher had served as Sergeant for the Texas Department of Public Safety for 25 years.

Paul Fisher has been married for 52 years with 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

Judge James Meredith

Troup
313 E. Duval Street
P.O. Box 573
Troup, Texas 75789
phone: 903-590-4850
fax: 903-842-3660

Chief Clerk: Linda Culp
Court Clerks: Linda Cornelison & Cindy Carnes

Judge Meredith was first elected to the Office of Justice of the Peace in June 2002. Before becoming Justice of the Peace, Judge Meredith was an officer with the Tyler Police Department for 24 years. While employed as a Tyler Police Officer Judge Meredith received many awards and commendations. Judge Meredith has one daughter who is a teacher, a son who is employed by the Smith County Sheriff's Department and one granddaughter.

Judge Mitch Shamburger

Winona
110 Dallas Street
P.O. Box 62
Winona, Texas 75792
phone: 903-590-4870
fax: 903-877-4528

Chief Clerk: Robyn Gandy
Court Clerks: Gilyn Pace & Mindy Hukill

Judge Shamburger is serving his sixth term as Justice Court Judge of the 4th precinct of Smith County. Judge Shamburger left his nursing career to serve the office of Smith County Justice Court #4 in 1982. I have always been a public servant at heart. says Judge Shamburger. 'I do what I can to make this world a better place. For me that begins at home and in the community.' Judge Shamburger is a life-long resident of Precinct 4, except for five years serving his country in the United States Army as a paratrooper. Judge Mitch Shamburger has served as Winona School Board trustee and is a graduate of Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler. He is past president of the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, and active in his church. Judge Shamburger is married to Fae Shamburger, they have three children.

Judge James Cowart

Lindale
2616 S. Main
P.O. Box 1075
Lindale, Texas 75771
phone: 903-590-4890
fax: 903-882-0354

Chief Clerk: Donna Crawford
Juvenile Clerk: DeAnn Owens
Court Clerks: Sharon Dinger & Christina McElyea & Lauren Easley

Judge Cowart has served Smith County as Justice of the Peace Pct. 5 since first being elected at 1991. Since taking office Judge Cowart has completed over 525 hours of continued education in civil, traffic, criminal, juvenile law, evictions, inquests, magistrate duties and other Justice Court related issues. When Judge Cowart was first elected to office, the Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Office shared a 1,600 square foot office building with the Precinct 5 Constable's Office. The Court is now located in a 6,000 square foot office complex. The office staff has grown from 3 court clerks to 5 court clerks.