Our Mission:
The Hays County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2 Justice Court is committed to serve all individuals with respect, professionalism and fairness while providing access to the judicial system with integrity and exemplary customer service. Our office will conduct ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence in the office of Justice of the Peace.
Our History:
Due to the population growth and increased workload in Precinct 2, the Hays County Commissioners created the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 2 office and court, in August of 2023. The following month, the Commissioners Court unanimously appointed J.R. Mendoza as Judge for this new court. Judge Mendoza brings over 20 years of advanced knowledge and professional experience to the bench.
Our Duties:
Justices of the Peace handle both civil and criminal cases, including small claims court, justice court, and administrative hearings. In practical terms, these are lawsuits over debts, evictions, cart accidents, unlawful towing, and property.
Their criminal workload involves disposing of all classes C criminal misdemeanor complaints, such as traffic citations, issuance of bad check, and others. These casess involve payment, setting contested cases for trail, and pretrial hearings with the county prosecutor.
Other duties include:
* Inquests (coroner)-determining the manner and cause of a person’s death
* Presiding over peace bond hearings
* Reviewing applications for mental health or chemically dependent commitments
* Conducting compulsory school attendance trials
* Giving warnings to juveniles required by law
* Issuing criminal arrest warrant
* Conduct hearings concerning seizure and disposition
* Performing marriage ceremonies as well
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 2 Staff:
Judge J.R. Mendoza
Hays County Justice of the Peace
Judge J.R. Mendoza is a lifelong resident of Hays County and the Kyle area. He graduated from Jack C. Hays High School and attended Our Lady of the Lake University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree. Judge Mendoza has over 12 years of contract compliance and managerial experience working for the State of Texas and as a Management Consultant. Judge Mendoza also has over 10 years of honorable law enforcement experience. In 2018, he was awarded a life-saving award and the Police Medal of Honor for his actions as a Police Officer. Judge Mendoza has been involved with the community and has volunteered many hours to local organizations.
Justice Court Administrator
Daniel Gonzales
jp2-2@co.hays.tx.us
Address: PO Box 1449, Kyle, TX 78640
5458 FM 2770 at Crystal Meadow Drive
Kyle, TX 78640
Phone: 512.268.2676
Email: jp2-2@co.hays.tx.us
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
(Closed 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.)
JP and Constable Precinct Map
Marriage Ceremony Request Form