08/14/2026
π AUGUST DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT: JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 1 βοΈ
This month, weβre shining the spotlight on the Aransas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Courtβa dedicated, all-women team committed to serving our community with fairness, efficiency, compassion, and a little fun along the way! π
π©ββοΈ Meet the JP Pct. 1 Team:
βοΈ Judge Vada Diane Dupnik
Judge Dupnik has proudly served Aransas County as Justice of the Peace for more than 16 years and has served as Alternate Municipal Court Judge for 15 years. With extensive judicial, administrative, and juvenile justice experience, she is committed to fair, honorable, and unbiased proceedings, community safety, technology, and continuing legal education.
π Amanda LaFerney β Senior Chief Clerk
With nearly 20 years of service to the court, Amanda started as a clerk in 2007 and worked her way up to Senior Chief Clerk. She holds both her Certified Clerk and Master Clerk Certificates. Outside work, she enjoys walking, winter mountain vacations, and spending time with her husband and their beloved 14-year-old Shih Tzu, Champ. πΆποΈ
π Emma Thomas β Criminal Court Clerk
Emma joined the team in 2019 and holds a Bachelorβs degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Law, along with her Certified Criminal Clerk Certificate. She brings energy and a welcoming spirit to the officeβand makes sure every holiday gets the perfect decorations! πππ· Outside the office, she and her husband manage their family trucking company, while she enjoys cooking, plants, and raising their 10-year-old daughter.
π Elizabeth Long β Civil Court Clerk
Joining the team in 2024, Elizabeth brings valuable Human Resources experience and her Civil Clerk Certificate to the court. When sheβs not helping the public, you can find this certified bibliophile immersed in a good bookβor browsing her favorite local bookstore! πβ€οΈ She is happily married and the proud mom of two boys.
π A COURT THAT SERVES YOU
The JP Pct. 1 Court handles both civil and criminal matters while working to provide an accessible, professional, and welcoming experience for every citizen.
Community services include:
π° Small Claims: Self-help paperwork for minor financial disputes under $20,000.
π Evictions: Paperwork and self-help packets, with guidance on which precinct to file in.
π¦ Local Infractions: Minor traffic tickets, truancy, and code violations.
π Warrants & Bail: Class C misdemeanor and felony warrants, along with initial bail hearings.
βοΈ Document Services: Witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying official paperwork.
π Weddings: Officiating legal marriage ceremonies for residents.
ποΈ Inquests: Conducting death investigations and inquests in applicable cases.
π BUILDING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Justice of the Peace courts provide accessible, low-cost services close to home, helping residents navigate important legal and administrative matters. Their connection to the community allows them to understand local needs and provide practical guidance when people need it most.
π FUN FACT!
The Justice of the Peace role dates back to 1361 in England, when an Act of Parliament established the position under King Edward III. The role evolved from earlier 12th-century βkeepers of the peace.β It later crossed the Atlantic during the colonial era and eventually became part of Texasβ judicial framework. π¬π§β‘οΈπΊπΈβ‘οΈπ€
π Thank you, Judge Dupnik, Amanda, Emma, and Elizabeth, for your dedication to Aransas County!
Your commitment to teamwork, professionalism, and compassionate public service helps ensure that our community receives the fair and efficient service it deserves. βοΈπ
