Gregg County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson is preparing to step down after 44 years on the bench. Jameson first ran for office in 1982, citing his background around the court and his friendship with the previous judge.
Jameson said that, to his knowledge, he is the longest-serving Gregg County justice of the peace in history. He said the court's civil jurisdiction has risen from $1,000 to $20,000 over his time in office. He said debt collection and unpaid bills now take up much of the court's calendar, and that his staff has grown from three employees to six.
Jameson's duties include criminal arraignments, setting bonds and conducting death inquests. He has also officiated an estimated 7,500 weddings, according to the report. Under Texas law, retired judges keep the authority to perform marriage ceremonies for life. Jameson said leaving the bench brings mixed emotions. "I won't miss the 3:00 in the morning calls," he said.