1822 - Edocs

91
AN ACT
Authorising- the appointment of Justices of the Peace and defining;
their powers, and establishing- county courts.
1. Be it enacted by the Governor and Legislative Coun Justices appointed
cil of the Territory of Florida, That there shall be a com- by Governor,
petent number of justices of the peace appointed by the
Governor in the several counties in this Territory.
2. Be itfurther enacted, That, "every person so appoint- To take an oath,
ed before he enters on the duties of his office, shall take
an oath or affirmation to support the constitution of the
United States, and also well and honestly to execute the
duties of his office, without fear, favor or oppression* to
the best of his abilities; which oath may be administered
by- the clerk of the circuit court, or any justice of th©
county, and a certificate of the same, entered of record in
said court.
3. Be it further enacted, That, the justices of the peace Jurisdiction*
so appointed, and each of them, shall be conseivator of
the peace within their respective counties, and shall have
cognizance of all causes, matters and things of the value
of twenty dollars and under, founded on any bond, bill,
note, or account in writing, or assumpsit, and may give
judgment and award execution thereon—which execution
shall be directed to any constable of the county, and shall
be made returnable to the justice who issued it, not less
than ten nor more than thirty days from the date thereof,
which shall be executed and returned by said constable
accordingly.
4. Be it further enacted, That, all judgments given by
Judgement under
en ollars~nna l'
any justice of the peace where the amount thereof shall
not exceed ten dollars shall be final— in all judgments
where the amount thereof shall exceed the sum of ten
dollars, the party against whom such judgment shall be Over ten—maygiven,
shall have a right to appeal to the circuit court of aPpeal.
the county, where the judgment was rendered. When an
appeal is taken the justice who rendered the judgment
shall thereupon suspend all further proceedings thereon, Proceeding-son
and shall return all the papers and a copy of the judg- appeal.
ment he had given to the clerk of the said court, and the
said court shall at their next session after said appeal,
provided ten days notice has been given to the defendant,
hear and determine the same in a summary way without Summary way.
pleading in writing, according to the justice of the case,
unless for good cause it be continued to the next term.
In all cases when any party may desire to appeal from a
judgment of a justice pursuant to this act, lie shall at the
time of rendering the judgment, apply to the justice and
obtain from him a copy of such judgment and produce
the same to the clerk of the circuit court, and shall enter
into bond in the office of said clerk in a penalty duuble
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