HAYS COUNTY, Texas — With a fast-growing population and the need to handle additional inquests, Hays County recently swore in Judge J.R. Mendoza Jr., as the Justice of the Peace (JP), Pct. 2, Place 2. He will work alongside longtime Pct. 2 JP Beth Smith in the Kyle precinct office.
The Hays County Commissioners Court appointed Mendoza. The newly approved role will become an elected position in November 2024.
“I am honored to serve as a Hays County Justice of the Peace,” Mendoza said. “I have long been a part of this community and have seen it grow over the years. As
a JP, I will aim to do what’s best for Hays County residents.”
With a college degree and more than 10 years of law enforcement experience, including most recently with the city of San Marcos as both a park ranger and a police officer, Mendoza believes he brings many of the skills needed to be a judge.
“At the San Marcos Police Department, my roles included patrol officer, field training officer, school resource officer, crash team investigator and defensive tactics instructor,” he said.