Join hosts Dale Adams and Ron Hines on Ceasefire as they sit down with Michelle Van Tavern, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 in Kendall County. Michelle shares her journey from jailer to police officer to JP, explaining the vital role of Justice Courts in the community. Learn about traffic court, small claims disputes, truancy cases, and the often-overlooked responsibilities of a JP including magistration and death inquests. Michelle discusses her passion for educating citizens about their legal rights and options, her experience being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic, and the growing needs of the JP system as Kendall County expands.

Key Topics:

What a Justice of the Peace actually does

The path from law enforcement to judiciary

Traffic court and compliance vs. punishment

Small claims mediation and eviction cases

Death inquests and magistration duties

Truancy court for local schools

Being on-call 25 days per month

The importance of educating citizens about their legal rights

Growing staffing needs as the county expands

Timeline

0:00 - Introduction to Ceasefire podcast and guest Michelle Van Tavern

0:30 - Michelle's law enforcement background: from Midland County jailer to Bernie PD patrol officer

1:28 - The appointment process to become Justice of the Peace

2:13 - Running unopposed after appointment

2:56 - Transitioning from law enforcement to the judiciary side

3:21 - What a JP does: magistration, setting bonds, and traffic court

4:29 - Philosophy of compliance vs. punishment

5:22 - Handling traffic citations and encouraging not guilty pleas when appropriate

5:55 - The importance of JP courts in keeping communities safe

6:40 - The People's Court: first line of the judicial system

7:00 - Personal experience: being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic

8:30 - The impact of the accident and lessons learned

9:51 - Commercial break

10:57 - What drew Michelle to public service and law enforcement

11:44 - Why JPs don't need law degrees: representing the people

12:55 - Being a negotiator and mediator

14:02 - Small claims court and finding middle ground

14:52 - Truancy cases for local schools

15:11 - Death inquests: an often-unknown JP responsibility

16:29 - Being on-call 25 days per month

17:23 - Passion for teaching people about the justice system

18:30 - Helping people understand their options (defensive driving, deferrals, etc.)

19:42 - The importance of informed decisions

20:25 - Being "the defender of all"

21:00 - Making connections with people, even those being arrested

21:19 - Serving as a School Resource Officer

22:15 - Future needs: more staff for growing JP courts

23:19 - Precinct 1's high volume: $30,000/month in revenue

23:56 - The need for additional clerks to serve the public properly

23:59 - Book recommendation: "Murder in Burn Texas"

24:16 - Closing remarks and podcast information

Original Air Date: January 31st at 10:30AM CST as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact:

• ceasefireboerne@gmail.com
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