Russia Official Brass Badge 1864 (late 19th - early 20th c.) - Justice of the Peace

110.71g. 87x66g. XF. 

Melnik, Mozheyko 3005.  

The system of Justices of the Peace in the Russian Empire was introduced in 1864 as part of the judicial reform of Alexander II. Justices of the Peace formed the lowest level of the court system and dealt primarily with minor criminal and civil cases, providing a quicker, simpler, and more accessible form of justice for the population. 

They were generally elected by district zemstvo assemblies, and in St. Petersburg and Moscow by the city dumas, although in some regions of the empire they were appointed by the Minister of Justice or by the Emperor. Candidates were subject to educational and property qualifications, and their term of office was three years. 

A Justice of the Peace heard cases individually. Their jurisdiction included minor offenses and a limited range of property disputes; the law aimed to make proceedings as accessible as possible, even allowing oral complaints and free procedure. Appeals from their decisions were heard by the Assembly of Justices of the Peace, while cassation belonged to the Senate. 

The institution quickly gained popularity because of the speed of proceedings, the simplicity of procedure, and the more respectful treatment of participants. In 1889 the system was significantly curtailed in much of the empire, and only in 1912 were the institutions of the Justices of the Peace restored more fully. After the Revolution of 1917, the institution was abolished.