Jay Parkison, Yavapai County Constable
Sedona AZ-The current Verde Valley Justice Court (VVJC) Constable, Jay Parkison, retired from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office after a 21-year career. His last assignment with the Sheriff’s Office was as the area commander for the Verde Valley. In 2010, Parkison was elected with a majority of the primary vote and seated without general election opposition as the VVJC Constable in January 2011. He now serves the Verde Valley and assists the Arizona Prescott and Mayer Justice Constables. Upon election, Parkison and other Arizona constables join a long list of famous Arizona lawmen dating back to territorial days.
Constables are an integral part of the Justice Court system in the State of Arizona, elected officials who serve as the Executive Branch of the Courts. Constables are empowered to serve all process given to them by the Justice of the Peace or other competent authority. The process by definition includes service of criminal and civil subpoenas and summonses, writs of restitution (eviction orders), writs of execution (orders to collect judgments), writs of replevin (orders to seize property), orders of protection and injunctions against harassment, as well as any other orders from the courts.
Constables may also be involved in the sale of seized property and summoning jurors for trials.
Constables elected by voters within their judicial precincts provide timely and cost-efficient service. By working directly with the courts in their local communities, Constables ensure that court’s orders are served. In most cases, the plaintiffs pay the cost of mileage and service fees which are mandated by ARS 11-445, and although Constables collect these service fees, the fees are subsequently remitted to the county treasurer’s general funds.
All three full time Yavapai Constables are members in good standing of the Arizona Constables Association. The Arizona Constables Association serves its members by offering professional training to enable them to perform their duties. The Association holds a minimum of two training seminars per year at which time training and updates are provided that comply with requirements mandated by state law.
In Arizona history, Constables have been an important part of the justice system since before 1912. In the territorial days, Wyatt and Virgil Earp, the famous Tombstone lawmen and survivors of the O.K. Corral shoot-out both served as Constables.
One of Arizona’s most respected governors, Wesley Bolin, was an elected Constable. He later also served as a Justice of the Peace, Secretary of State and finally as Governor.
The famous gunslinger William H. Bonner, better known as “Billy the Kid” was arrested by a Constable for horse theft.
Since the days of the Wild West, Constables have been elected to serve civil and criminal process for the courts. Constables are trained in various aspects of civil and criminal law and adhere to a strict code of ethics which is established by the Constable Ethics, Standards and Training Board.
Mark your calendars to vote in the City of Sedona Special election November 8, 2011
