Justices of the Peace have played a vital part in the judicial system beginning in 1686. By the end of the seventeenth century, justices were commonly authorized to take jurisdiction over small actions. As towns were incorporated, the General Assembly authorized the creation of town and borough courts in order to handle small cases. Justices of the peace presided over these courts. In 1939, the trial justice system was enacted, vesting the limited criminal jurisdiction formerly within the power of all justices of the peace in specially designated trial justices.
In Connecticut, the process of selecting a justice of the peace is prescribed by statute. By law, two-thirds of such justices of the peace are selected by major political parties and one-third of the positions are reserved for electors who are not members of the major parties (i.e., unaffiliated voters or minor party members). Justices are selected during presidential election years and serve a four-year term.
The role of a justice of the peace is authorized by statute. Among other things, a justice of the peace may:
1. administer oaths (CGS § 1-24),
2. sign affidavits after administering oaths (CGS § 1-24),
3. acknowledge legal written documents (CGS § 1-29),
4. perform marriage ceremonies (CGS § 46b-22),
5. take depositions and issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to attend such depositions (CGS § 52-148c),
6. subpoenas witnesses to appear before the board of police commissioners of any municipality (CGS § 7-279), and
7. issue tax warrants (CGS § 12-130).
Appointed Officials
Salvatore Amadeo (R)
25 Amadeo Drive
203-915-3379
Email
Lisa J. Anderson (D)
62 Wooding Hill Road
203-676-3192
Email
Robert L. Bergen, III (R)
85 Lebanon Road
203-927-9140
Email
Paula Cofrancesco (R)
27 North Humiston Drive
203-393-2100 x1101
Email
Rebecca G. Daddona (U)
346 Fairwood Road
203-393-2439
Email
Tracy A. Darling (U)
38 Fatima Drive
(H) 203-393-9331
(C) 203-988-1772
Email
Anne Marie Dembski (U)
208 Beacon Road
(H) 203-393-2416
Email
Nicholas DiGiorgi (R)
254 Falls Road
(C) 203-927-2962
Email
Meghan K. Gallagher (D)
508 Amity Road
908-507-4218
Email
Robin E. Glowa (U)
37 Miller Road
203-393-2100 x1124
Email
Carol R. Goldberg (D)
5 North Humiston Drive
203-393-0350
Email
Clark D. Hurlburt (D)
172 Beacon Road
203-444-4469
Email
Melissa J. Lambrecht (R)
96 Litchfield Turnpike
203-627-6436
Email
Constance L. Royster (D)
4 Fairwood Road
203-376-9938 (Preferred)
203-393-2084
Email
Mary R. Scinto (U)
48 Northrop Road
203-581-2804
Email
Donald R. Shea, Jr. (R)
48 Deerfield Lane
(C) 860-208-9949
(H) 203-393-2591
Email
Andrew S. Whyte (U)
17 Hi-Ann Court
203-393-3353
Vacancy (D)