Terri L. Mayer is the Justice of the Peace for Precinct One in Polk County, Texas. She has lived in Polk County since 1982 and graduated from Livingston High School in 1988. She has over twenty years’ experience in law enforcement and criminal justice prior to being elected. She began her career in criminal justice in 1997 with TDCJ-ID before joining the Polk County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve sheriff’s deputy in 2002 and then full time in 2004. Prior to accepting employment with TDCJ-ID she worked with her father in the HVAC, plumbing and appliance repair business.

Working within the Sheriff’s Office has given her the knowledge about laws in regard to misdemeanors, class c citations, civil disputes such as landlord/tenant disputes and more. Working with the public has helped her defuse conflicts between parties and assist them to make sound judgements. She will continue to work closely with the citizens of Polk County and will continue to uphold the laws set forward by the State of Texas and our United States Constitution.

Judge Mayer will ensure each party entering her court will be given the upmost respect and a fair and firm judgement will be rendered. The justice court is the people’s court. She will maintain the confidence of the public to ensure that the color of the law is followed.

Judge Mayer’s office is open Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. unless there is a holiday during the week. Justice Court office does not close for lunch. The court clerks are always available to assist the public and are available to answer procedural questions but are not allowed to give legal advice. Judge Mayer can answer procedural questions but, by law, cannot discuss pending legal claims with any of the parties to a suit which has been filed or may be filed with the court.

All pleas in criminal matters must be in writing either filed in person at the JP office or sent by regular first class mail on or before the appearance date shown on the ticket or citation. These include traffic tickets, citations for alcohol violations, disorderly conduct and parks and wildlife violations. The clerks cannot take a plea by phone. The Judge cannot discuss the case with you unless you have entered a written plea of guilty or no contest and waived your right to hire a lawyer and waived your right to have a jury trial.

The Justice Court has jurisdiction over all class C misdemeanors which are offenses punishable by a fine only. Truancy cases, evictions, civil law suits and small claims suits up to $20,000.00. The Justice of the Peace is also the acting coroner for all unattended deaths and witness to wedding contracts.