Being a Justice of Peace doesn't give you the authority to disturb the peace.
Maricopa County Justice of Peace Phillip Woolbright must have thought he was above the law or just plain didn't care before he was arrested for the violation of a protective order against him by visiting his estranged wife's home on Thursday night, reports The Arizona Republic.
Apparently, Woolbright, who serves in the Lake Pleasant Justice Court, knew he was breaking the law and separately called the police himself after he did so, telling authorities he had argued with his wife over his visitation rights of their children.
Woolbright's wife, who also called the police, told them Woolbright was banging on the door and asking to see their children.
When police arrived, they found Woolbright parked in front of his wife's house. According to a court document, the order of protection against Woolbright prohibits him from going on or near the property, The Republic said.
Woolbright was arrested after reviewing the order of protection and later released from jail.
Under Arizona law, the term Order of Protection is used for the more-commonly known term restraining order, and can only be issued by a judicial officer who finds that domestic violence has occurred between two people in a specific relationship.
Judicial officers like Woolbright oversee Justice of the Peace courts, which were previously common but are currently only used in a handful of states, such as Arizona. They primarily handle minor civil and criminal actions and small claims issues. Ironically, Justice Courts can issue restraining orders, so there really is no excuse for Justice of Peace Phillip Woolbright's violation of a protective order.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix Family Law Attorney (FindLaw)
- Lake Pleasant Justice Arrested by Police (KTAR News Radio)
- Domestic Violence: Orders of Protection and Restraining Orders (FindLaw)
- New Program Implemented in West Valley to Serve Protective Orders (Phoenix Family Law News Blog)
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