Skip to Content (custom)
Texas Association of Counties
Toggle Navigation (custom)

    Legal Services

    LegalEase Newsletter | FAQs by Subject

    News Article | May 01, 2021

    County Officials

    LegalEase
    Legal Guidance

    "Our sheriff is looking for some new employees. I'm the JP and already know my way around the building. Can I work as a jailer?"

    May a justice of the peace also serve as a jailer?

    No. In opinion number JM-1047, the Attorney General found that upon review of the role of justice of the peace as magistrate and the jailer as the sheriff's subordinate there are many occasions when the duties and loyalties of the two positions would conflict. A chart summarizing attorney general opinions related to dual office holding by county officials is included in our Pitfalls & Perils of Public Office: Dual Office publication.