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Simple English definitions for legal terms
constable
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A quick definition of constable:
A constable is a type of police officer who helps keep the peace and enforce the law. They have some special duties like delivering important legal papers and arresting people who break the law. Different states have different rules for how constables are chosen and what they can do. For example, in Georgia, constables have to go to court and give any money they collect to the court. In Pennsylvania, constables help with elections and can even act like a coroner if needed.
A more thorough explanation:
A constable is a type of peace officer who has certain judicial duties, such as serving legal papers and arresting lawbreakers. The specific powers and responsibilities of constables vary by state.
- In Georgia, constables are elected by the county governing authority and are required to attend all magistrate court sessions, pay money collected by them to the magistrate court, and execute and return legal papers.
- In Pennsylvania, constables can be elected by petition and are required to attend and serve at elections, perform duties of a coroner if one is not available, and arrest trespassers.
These examples illustrate how the powers and responsibilities of constables can differ depending on the state in which they serve. In both Georgia and Pennsylvania, constables are responsible for serving legal papers and arresting lawbreakers, but they also have additional duties specific to their state.