This thesis seeks to examine in details the arguments centering around the American justice of the peace court system and evaluate the justices of the peace of Dallas County in the light of these argurents. A second purpose is to evaluate the positions of critics and defenders of the present justice system in the light of the needs of the litigants who come before te justice courts in Dallas County--or who would come before the replacement court advocated by the Texas State Bar Association. Finally, a sunmary analysis leads to recommendations for best serving the interests of these litigants. In the preparation of this study, wide use was made of both wrItten materials and personal interviews. The first three chapters are based largely on written materials, many of which are primary sources. The written source materials include reports, journal, articles, especially articles in legal periodicals, books, newspapers, court case reports and statutes. The latter chapters, the most significant part of the study, are based almost entirely on personal interviews and observations of the justice courts.