Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish appointed Betty Dills as interim justice of the peace for Precinct 1 on Monday.
Dills, the longtime civilian chief of Precinct 1, will take office immediately, according to a Lubbock County news release.
Justice of the Peace Jim Hansen, whose term expires in 2026, will be temporarily absent, according to the press release, which did not disclose the reason for his absence.
According to the Texas Associated of Counties website, justices of the peace typically handle Class C misdemeanor cases, including traffic tickets and civil cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed $10,000. Justices of the Peace also preside over small claims courts in proceedings for the recovery of money not to exceed $10,000.
Hansen, who took office in 1991, recommended that Dills take over the court while he is away, handling scheduled dockets and processing case decisions while temporarily absent from the office.
“I have the utmost confidence in Ms. Dills’ ability to effectively lead the court in Judge Hansen’s absence,” Parrish said in the news release. “She will continue to oversee the court with knowledge and wisdom, and I am honored by this appointment.”
This article originally appeared in Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Temporary Lubbock County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Appointed
