Retired Judge Gil Jones sworn in as Burnet County justice of the peace
State District Judge Allan Garrett (right) swears in retired State District Judge Guilford “Gil” Jones as Burnet County Precinct 4 justice of the peace June 20 at the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. The Burnet County Commissioners Court appointed Jones to the position after current justice of the peace Ed Cutchin announced his retirement. Courtesy photo
CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER
MARBLE FALLS — After a swearing-in ceremony, a retired district judge will take his place as a “temporary” justice of the peace in Burnet County while continuing his duties as a mediator.
Retired State District Judge Guilford “Gil” Jones accepted the appointment as Precinct 4 justice of the peace, which was approved by commissioners in May.
He will replace retiring Judge Ed Cutchin, 77. Cutchin’s last day on the bench is June 19, when Jones will begin serving the unexpired elected term.
Jones said he will fill the position on a “temporary” basis until the next regular election in 2016. The full term would go through 2018.
“I suppose my name came up because I was a retired judge and somewhat available and probably able to do it on a temporary basis a little more quickly and easily than maybe some other people might have been,” he said. “It’s just been a continuation of what’s been a lot of years of public service, which I enjoy doing.”
Jones will work in the south end Burnet County Courthouse Annex, 810 Steve Hawkins Parkway in Marble Falls.
“I have set aside certain days to undertake those JP duties and other days where I will still continue my mediation practice,” Jones said. “Obviously, I’ll have less time for mediation.”
Jones served as the 33rd Judicial District judge from 1997 to 2012, presiding over civil and criminal cases in Blanco, Burnet, Llano and San Saba counties.
He retired from the bench but returned shortly to work as a credentialed advanced mediator.
Mediation is a forum using an impartial facilitator to resolve conflicts and potentially reach settlement terms or reconciliation.
Duties of a justice of the peace include presiding over misdemeanor cases and most civil proceedings, issuing civil processes, performing marriages, serving as a coroner, issuing search and arrest warrants and magistrating those arrested by peace officers.
Jones was sworn in at the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls — a setting atypical of court proceedings; however, it keeps with the court’s role in the community, according to Jones.
“The justice court is the people’s court. The judge can get a little closer to the people than as a district judge,” he said. “I enjoy working with people, so I think it will be a very exciting time.”
connie@thepicayune.com
