Sheila Blackwell Hood Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Sheila Hood has announced she will run for re-election.

Mrs. Hood, a Republican, began her first elected term Jan. 1, 2007. In 2003, when retired Col. Walter Prugh resigned as justice of the peace, the Lampasas County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Hood to fill Prugh’s unexpired term. Before her appointment, Mrs. Hood had worked as Prugh’s JP clerk.

“I’ve appreciated the opportunity to serve the citizens of Lampasas County as their Precinct 4 justice of the peace and would be honored to fill another four-year term,” Mrs. Hood said.

Mrs. Hood does not know of a challenger, but if another Republican files for JP, a party primary will be held in March. The general election will be in November 2010.

Candidates may file until Jan. 4.

Justices of the peace try and judge fine-only criminal misdemeanors, issue search and arrest warrants, set bond for those held at the Lampasas County Jail, conduct truancy hearings and preside over small claims and justice courts -- which address civil disputes up to $10,000. JPs also preside over juvenile, emergency and detention hearings, fulfill county coroner duties and perform civil marriage ceremonies.

“That’s the fun part,” Mrs. Hood said.

JPs must show a willingness to learn and a sense of fairness, she said. “We accept, try and pass judgment based on the laws and facts,” the Precinct 4 JP said.

Because of the significant amount of continuing education JPs must complete, Mrs. Hood said county residents benefit from stability in the post.

“I don’t think a lot of times they [residents] realize what they have invested in their JPs as far as the time they spend,” she said.

Mrs. Hood and her husband, Randall Hood, have lived in Precinct 4 since 1980, when they moved to the Adamsville area. In 1999, the ranchers purchased Mrs. Hood’s family farm and moved to the Kempner area.

“I’ve lived from one area of this precinct to another,” Mrs. Hood said. “Some of my fondest memories are on my grandfather’s farm.”

Precinct 4, which includes much of east Lampasas County and stretches from the Burnet County line to just south of Evant, is home to about 5,300 voters.