Ochiltree Justice of the Peace

08/27/2026

07/12/2026

We wanted to let everyone know about a change that will help keep magistrate hearings open to the public.

When a magistrate hearing is held remotely, it will be livestreamed on our official YouTube channel so the public has the opportunity to observe the hearing.

Since arrests can happen at any time, there isn’t a set schedule for these hearings. A livestream may take place during the day, at night, on weekends, or even on holidays, depending on when someone is arrested.

Not every arrest will require a livestream, but when one is needed, we’ll go live on our YouTube channel.

If you’d like to be notified when a hearing begins, we encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications.

We’re always looking for ways to make our court more accessible while continuing to serve the people of Ochiltree County.

Thank you for your continued support!

Welcome to the official YouTube channel for the Ochiltree Justice of the Peace. This channel is primarily used to provide live streams of magistrations and other court-related proceedings as permitted by law. Magistration times will vary depending on arrests, jail intake, and court docket schedules....

07/09/2026

Many people have heard of the Justice of the Peace (JP), but aren't exactly sure what our office does. In a rural community like ours, the JP serves in many different roles and is often the first court that people interact with. Our office handles a variety of matters, including:

Traffic and Class C misdemeanor cases – These include offenses such as speeding, expired registration, and other fine-only offenses.

Small Claims (Debt Claims) – If someone believes they are owed money, our court provides a place to resolve those disputes fairly.

Eviction Cases – We hear cases involving landlords and tenants and make decisions based on the evidence.

Civil Disputes – We hear certain civil cases involving disputes up to the jurisdictional limits ($20,000) that is established by Texas law.

Magistrate Duties – When someone is arrested, a Justice of the Peace may conduct a magistrate hearing. During that hearing, the judge informs the person of the charges, advises them of their legal rights, considers bond, and, addresses the appointment of counsel.

Inquests – When a death occurs under certain circumstances, a Justice of the Peace will conduct an inquest to determine the cause and manner of death.

Wedding Ceremonies – Justice of the Peace judges may also perform marriage ceremonies for couples who wish to be married in Texas.

Our goal is to treat everyone with fairness, respect, and dignity while following the law. Whether you're coming to court for the first time or simply have questions about our services, we're here to help you understand the court process. While our staff cannot provide legal advice, we are always happy to explain court procedures and point you in the right direction.

-Judge Eric Kerl

06/19/2026

Welcome to the official page of the Ochiltree County Justice of the Peace Court.

My name is Eric Kerl, and I am honored to serve the citizens of Ochiltree County as your Justice of the Peace. I have called Ochiltree County home for 16 years and have spent the last 16 years serving our community in law enforcement. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and am committed to treating every person who comes before the court with fairness, respect, and impartiality.

This page will be used to share court information, office announcements, public notices, community outreach efforts, and educational information about the Justice Court.

Please remember that this page is for informational purposes only. Court filings, requests for hearings, and discussions regarding pending cases cannot be accepted through Facebook.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve this community. I look forward to continuing to serve Ochiltree County with integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law.

— Judge Eric Kerl
Ochiltree County Justice of the Peace