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“I do on an average of anywhere between 30 to 60 hours a month at the three different locations,” Mr Jones said.<\/p>\n
“I’ve now done over 1300 sessions and I work with a team of other JPs who do just as much work as I do.<\/p>\n
“I find a lot of people do prefer to go to a neighbourhood centre rather than a police station.”<\/p>\n
Mr Jones said that right now more JPs would be welcome to join the group that he serves across the three local locations.<\/p>\n
“Anyone over the age of 18 can become a JP,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They just have to contact the Justice Department of Victoria. I’m looking for more JPs for our area, for our three operation centres.”<\/p>\n
To become a JP it is necessary to complete a short course, but not necessary to have any particular background legal experience.<\/p>\n
“As long as they have a kind heart, and are happy to help the community and support people, basically.<\/p>\n
“You don’t have to be lawyer, just someone with basic knowledge, and you’re not left alone. We have a buddy system where you first work with one of us until you’re comfortable on your own.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BECOMING a Justice of the Peace came as second nature for Ballarat’s Wayne Jones. Mr Jones and his fellow JPs are called on to witness and sign a wide range of official documents, sometimes helping people who are dealing with particularly tough life moments at a crucial time, bringing some important peace of mind for […]<\/p>\n