Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of Constable is mandated by Article 5, Section 18 of the Texas Constitution, which states that in each Justice of the Peace precinct, a Constable shall be elected.

A Constable is a licensed, commissioned peace officer, elected by county constituents every four years for a particular area (Precinct) of that county. Each Constable’s Office is a separate and unique law enforcement agency, independent of all other county departments, elected officials, and law enforcement agencies.

In accordance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Constables have the same duties and powers as any other peace officer, such as municipal police and Sheriffs, and may enforce all criminal laws, traffic laws, and conduct criminal investigations. In addition, by statute, Constables must serve all warrants, precepts, and civil process lawfully directed to them. Therefore, the Constable is the chief process server for the Justice Court. Constables are required by law to be present, or ensure one of their Deputy Constables are present, during hearings held by the Justice of the Peace.

To meet the challenges and demands of taking on the full responsibilities of being a peace officer as well as the added liabilities of processing civil cases, all Texas Constables and Deputy Constables MUST be licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, attend and complete a police academy, fulfill all ongoing continuing education requirements for peace officers, and completed bi-annual training specific to civil process.

 The primary difference between constables' and police officers' duties is that constables perform functions as defined by state and local government and police officers enforce all laws, local, state and federal.