I was honored to speak to my former colleagues at the JPCA conference in El Paso (and play music!)
What I miss the most about being a Justice of the Peace is getting to meet and know other JPs from around the State of Texas.
With rare exception, most Justices of the Peace are dramatically underpaid and overworked. Judges that are dedicated to the public service of being impartial and assisting the community often stay in office for years, especially in small communities. These same judges are often the ones who attend the continuing education seminars and conventions. Because Justice Court handles such a wide range of duties there are always countless updates to statutes and procedures that every JP needs to know.
The Justice of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas handles Legislative action regarding the JPs and Constables and also provides training classes, some of which can also be used as CLE credits for attorneys (only 9% of Texas JPs are attorneys) https://www.beebefortexas.com/s/JPCA-89th-slide.jpg
This year, three years after leaving my office of Justice of the Peace, PCT 1 for Presidio County, I was asked to assist on a panel education course providing information on using designated Courthouse Security funds ($4-5 from each Misdemeanor ticket paid in Justice and County Courts) . It was a thrill to be reunited with my old friends and an honor to get to teach this class alongside Judge Holly Williamson (Harris County) and Hector Gomez, head of security for the Office of Court Administration. https://www.beebefortexas.com/s/JPCA-Hector-Gomez.jpg
I also had the good fortune to make a new friend, Judge Steven Duble, Harris County. I had heard him speak on my friend Peter Taafe’s podcast “The Dirty Verdict” and everything he said resonated with me in a big way. I reached out on LinkedIn and we finally got to hang out. Of course we have a lot of mutual Houston friends- it’s always fun to draw the lines between everyone. Anyway, I’m so grateful to be getting to meet leaders in County government; it’s always a thrill.
The conference was held at the fabulous El Paso Del Norte Hotel in historic downtown. Hilary and Mirela came with me and we enjoyed El Paso, as always. They have a new Children’s Museum called La Nube, which is located about three blocks from the hotel. Mirela was thrilled and we’ll be going back for sure. As always in El Paso we had great food and got to interact with some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Mirela’s pediatrician is at Texas Tech Medical Center and she went in to have her two year-old checkup. She’s doing great, at 82nd percentile for height and 50% in weight for her age.
https://www.beebefortexas.com/s/JPCA-Hilary-and-Mirela.jpg
I had the extra thrill of getting to participate in the “JPCA band” - a now tradition that began around 2015 with a bunch of JPs and Constables sitting around a fire pit with acoustic guitars and light beers. Over the past decade, although not formal, it’s been formalized into an official event on a given night of the weeklong conference where, under the fearless leadership of Travis County PCT 1 Constable Carlos Lopez, the band plays a rowdy dance party at the host hotel. https://www.beebefortexas.com/s/JPCA-band-rehearsal.jpg
This year, since I was there, I brought my bass guitar and a list of songs, and we had a Monday night rehearsal in a hotel suite with about 6 of us. Tuesday night (my presentation was on Tuesday afternoon) we took over the rooftop bar at the Hotel and had a legitimate stage and sound system, a real dance floor and a large, enthusiatic crowd. A drummer also joined us, and another bassist arrived with a five string bass. I played most of the country and rock songs on bass and my counterpart played most of the cumbias and conjunto music while I sang the second harmony on songs including “Puno de Tierra”, “Palomita Blanca”, “La Mucura” and more. I sang lead on four or five Tex Mex songs and “Waltz Across Texas”. A major highlight was Jefferson County Constable Christopher Bates singing “My Girl” and Tennessee Whiskey”. All in all it was a blast and the band sounded better than ever. We played just over two hours straight and then it was time to go. The set ended with a really wild version of “Volver, Volver” with the whole crowd joining in. It was a truly Texas affair; I loved it!
The 2025 JPCA BAND https://www.beebefortexas.com/s/JPCA-Band-2025.jpg
Fun playing bass https://www.beebefortexas.com/s/JPCA-playing-bass.jpg
VOLVER VOLVER! https://www.beebefortexas.com/s/JPCA-Volver.jpg
