§50-1-17. Reference to justice of the peace; abolition of the
office of constable.
On and after the first day of January, one thousand nine
hundred seventy-seven, the phrase "justice of the peace" and the
word "justice," when used in a context meaning "justice of the
peace," shall be construed to mean magistrate as created by the
provisions of this chapter. At such time the office of constable
shall be abolished, and the duties previously performed by
constables shall be assumed by deputy sheriffs or by such other
persons as elsewhere provided in this code.