The article is devoted to the study of the moral dimension of a justice of the peace’s activity in adjudicating administrative offense cases. In the context of the peculiarities of jurisdiction in administrative proceedings and the role of procedural guarantees for participants, both historical and contemporary aspects of the institution of justices of the peace are analyzed. Special attention is given to the relationship between the concepts of “ethics” and “morality” in the professional activity of a justice of the peace, as well as to the impact of the Code of Judicial Ethics and judicial independence on public trust. Emphasizing the moral aspect of justice in administrative offense cases, the article concludes that justices of the peace are intended to serve as “courts of trust”, combining legality with fairness.