Inquest Week kicked off yesterday with two great webinars – Beyond the Surface: Delving into Medicolegal Death Investigations of Suicides and Missing Migrants.
The webinars will continue all week, but we also wanted to remind you about additional Inquest resources.
TJCTC Charts & Checklists Page
Did you know that in addition to the Inquest Deskbook, we have several charts, checklists, and other resources on our Charts & Checklists Page just for your inquest work? Included on this page are a recently updated Inquest Procedure Flowchart, Formal Inquest Procedure Flowchart, Mass Fatality Resources, Medical Records Letter, Organ Donation Information, Inquest Helpful Links, Cause and Manner Tips, Death Investigation Tips, and Medical Terminology Handout.
Working with the Center for Human Identification at UNT
Join our friends from Texas State University to learn more about the assistance they can provide in death investigations as well as their tips for identifying bodies and determining cause and manner of death.
The state of Texas has a number of resources that a Justice of the Peace can use when they are overwhelmed by a catastrophic event. This presentation will address utilizing the Texas Mass Fatality Operations Response Team (TMORT) and the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC), whether you simply need a phone consult or your county needs a team to provide significant support on the ground.
Speakers: Victor Wells & Dr. Jason Wiersema from TMORT
Do you want to see what the Tissue Recovery Center looks like? As part of this webinar, you will receive a video tour of the center and then have a chance to ask all your tissue recovery related questions!
We just have a few announcements and reminders this week.
Inquest Week
Our series of webinars focused on Inquests is coming up next week! Don’t miss your chance to sign up, as we have some special speakers that we don’t often get to see in person, including agents from Border Patrol, an expert on suicide deaths, and more.
As of this week, registration for all of our regular 10, 16, and 20 hour programs and most workshops is open. Make sure you sign up if you haven’t already!
This month we added a new form, Protected Property Claim Hearing – Order. Judges should use this form when they make a decision on an Exempt/Protected Property Hearing. You can find the form under Enforcement of Civil Judgments under the Civil Procedure Forms tab on the TJCTC Forms Page.
Wow! It is almost the end of October already. It has been a busy month at TJCTC getting ready for the next academic year and getting judges and court personnel registered for conferences and workshops. In this edition of TJCTC Updates, we have a few education opportunities for you as well as our Legal Question of the Month and other resources.
Board Question of the Month
Question: Does this new policy (below) mean I should do something different in eviction cases?
Answer: No. This document outlines limitations and policies that the Borrower/Landlord has to comply with based on the type of loan they received. If the Borrower/Landlord does not follow the policies, then there is a specific penalty outlined in the document. This isn’t something that the court needs to ask about during an eviction case.
Registration has been going smoothly thanks to our Program Administration Team and Home Office Team. If you get a chance, tell Jessica, Darby, Laura, Jasmine, Jeff, Sonya, and Francisco how much you appreciate them!
While many programs are full, there are still some spots available in the following programs for judges & court personnel.
Judges
Lubbock 20-hr Conference
Austin 10-hr Conference (same week as JPCA Day at the Capitol)
Any elected constable who has not yet completed their 1415 TCOLE requirement for this training cycle will receive an early registration link from Laura Villarreal at lv13@txstate.edu by 10/29/2024.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Texas Advocacy Project Webinar: Power & Control: Going Beyond the Basics of Intimate Partner Violence
This training session will delve into the complexities of intimate partner violence, helping participants to recognize abusive tactics and identify high-risk indicators. We will also tackle common myths and misconceptions, shedding light on the barriers that make leaving an abusive relationship so challenging. Additionally, we’ll explore the impact trauma has on survivors and share empowering strategies to enhance their safety and support.
Remote Justice: Virtual Support for Domestic Violence
Technology has been associated with exacerbating safety concerns for many survivors of domestic violence. Abusers may violate privacy and security online to maintain control over their partners. However, technology has recently proven to be of benefit in the form of support system for survivors.
Constable’s Corner:*NEW* Civil Process Proficiency Certification(CPPC) Exam Study Guide
If you are preparing to take the CPPC Exam, check out the new self-paced study guide with information about how to take the test and what information it will cover.
Inquest Week 2024 is November 11-15, and during that week we will have several webinars and will be sharing all kinds of inquest resources.
What kind of webinars can you expect? Webinar topics include: Missing Migrants, Death Investigations with the Texas State Anthropology Department, Tissue Recovery, Working with the Center for Human Identification at UNT, and more!
Visit our Virtual Programs Page for more information and to register.
We have several exciting education opportunities to share with you.
State Bar of Texas Justice Court Section Webinar
Obscure Issues in Justice Court
Friday, October 25, 2024, Noon CDT
Presenters: Rebecca Glisan, TJCTC Director of Curriculum, and Judge Sylvia Holmes
This session will offer 1 hour MCLE credit. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.
This course will cover various tricky issues that may arise in justice courts. Topics will include peace bonds, discovery, alternative service, and more.
Coming Soon Inquest Webinar Series November 12-15. Mark your calendars, the full schedule will be coming out next week. Topics will include missing migrants, unidentified bodies, suicide deaths, organ and tissue donation, and more!
National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Webinars and Resources
Cybersecurity
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a great time to take a look at the training and resources that NCSC has available on the topic.
Other Upcoming Webinars(including topics like Artificial Intelligence, Civil Diversion Programs, Behavioral Health, and Developing a Leadership Culture)
2024-2025 In-Person Education Event Schedules Released
Did you notice that our website has been updated with all of the 2024-2025 Upcoming Conferences and Workshops? Take a look at “Education Events” under your tab (Judges, Court Personnel, Constables) to see where our programs will be held this year. Look for a brochure online and in your mailboxes soon!
Registration Dates:
Justice of the Peace Registration – Open now!!!
Note, several of the in-person conferences have filled, but we still have more than 225 spaces available for judges to get at least 10 hours of their education in person. Log on ASAP to secure your spot or get on a waitlist for one of the full programs.
Court Personnel Early Registration(ONLY for clerks who were not able to attend a conference this year) – October 22
Eligible clerks will be emailed a special link for early registration.
This is the last year of the 4-Year TCOLE Training Cycle (9/1/21-8/31/25). Make sure if you are an Elected Constable, you are able to log on to register if you haven’t yet completed your 1415 Civil Process requirement. We are working hard to ensure that all elected constables are able to get into our programs, but space in your preferred program might fill early! This year we will have programs in Galveston, Austin, El Paso, and virtually. You can view the dates on our website: https://www.tjctc.org/civil-process/education-events.html
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions. Laura Villarreal at lv13@txstate.edu is your point of contact for registration.
Constables and deputies, are you looking for some free, online training? Lexipol produces some interesting webinars on hot topics that they provide for free on their website. One of the recent issues discussed was use of force. Take a look for yourself –https://www.lexipol.com/resources/webinars/.
September and the Back-to-School Season has flown by! At TJCTC we have been busy working with the JPCA Education Committees and Faculty on our next academic year of training. Spoiler alert – we think it is going to be great. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for updates on training registration and more.
*Important* National Survey for Death Investigation Information
All Justices of the Peace in counties without a medical examiner’s office should have received an email earlier this month from RTI International on behalf of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), directing them to the Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC) website to confirm their office information and indicate if they perform death investigation functions. This information will be used in early October to send the survey to the appropriate person within each office.
The Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC) was created by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in 2004 as the first nationwide data collection effort designed to capture crucial information regarding the patchwork of Medical Examiner and Coroner offices across the United States. RTI International (RTI) conducted the CMEC on behalf of BJS, and subsequently completed a second iteration of the census in 2018. The report from the 2018 CMEC can be found at https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/meco18.pdf.
We are excited to share that data collection for the 2023 CMEC will begin in early October of this year. Topics covered will include budget, staffing and salaries, caseload, and other relevant measures and practices (e.g. is there a computerized case management system, how many scene investigations are done). Also new this year will be the inclusion of Justices of the Peace in Texas who performing death investigations.
If there are questions or if you did not receive an email, please email cmec@rti.org to get your log in information so you can confirm your role.
Legal Question of the Month
Is a Driver’s License required in order for a person to be placed on Deferred?
No, that is not a requirement for deferred disposition under CCP Art. 45.051. However, there is a driver’s license requirement for DSC dismissal under CCP 45.0511. For more information (including an exception to this requirement), please see p. 54 of TJCTC’s Criminal Deskbook: https://www.tjctc.org/tjctc-resources/deskbooks.html.
We have had several questions lately about offenses being eligible for DSC or Deferred. Chapter 5 of the Criminal Deskbook (at the above link) is all about DSC, Deferred, and other Dismissals. You can likely find your answer there. In addition, don’t forget about the TJCTC Charts & Checklists Page: https://www.tjctc.org/tjctc-resources/charts-and-checklists.htmlwhere we have flowcharts for both DSC and Deferred.
Online Education Opportunities
NCSC Webinars
Transitioning To a New Leadership Role
October 9th, 2024
Court Systems rely on effective leadership to operate effectively and efficiently, and leadership requires more than just seniority or title. Embracing a new leadership position can be a transformative experience that can lead to personal growth and professional development. It also sends a signal that the organization is committed to promoting growth within. Transitioning into a new leadership role allows individuals to showcase their skills and make a positive impact on their teams and organizations. In this session, we will explore techniques for successfully positioning yourself for leadership opportunities. Panelists will share their personal insights on their own experiences with transitions into leadership roles while discussing the challenges they encountered, and lessons learned along the way.
Navigating AI in Court Systems – Ethics, Legal Frameworks, and Practical Tools
October 16th, 2024
The integration of AI in court systems promises enhanced efficiency and decision-making capabilities. However, it also raises significant ethical and legal challenges that courts must address to maintain public trust and uphold the principles of justice. This session, an extension of the first ethics webinar, Ethics of Generative AI: A Guide for Judges and Legal Professionals, will assist participants in developing an AI ethics infrastructure to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and ethically. A proactive approach that includes guiding principles, standards, and protocols helps courts prevent misuse, bias, and potential harm, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process and preserving public trust and confidence in our legal system.
Did you notice that our website has been updated with all of the 2024-2025 Upcoming Conferences and Workshops? Take a look at “Education Events” under your tab (Judges, Court Personnel, Constables) to see where our programs will be held this year. Look for a brochure online and in your mailboxes soon!
Registration Dates:
Justice of the Peace Registration – October 8
Court Personnel Early Registration(ONLY for clerks who were not able to attend a conference this year) – October 22
This is the last year of the 4-Year TCOLE Training Cycle (9/1/21-8/31/25). Make sure if you are an Elected Constable, you are able to log on to register if you haven’t yet completed your 1415 Civil Process requirement. We are working hard to ensure that all elected constables are able to get into our programs, but space in your preferred program might fill early! This year we will have programs in Galveston, Austin, El Paso, and virtually. You can view the dates on our website: https://www.tjctc.org/civil-process/education-events.html
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions. Laura Villarreal at lv13@txstate.edu is your point of contact for registration.
Happy almost Labor Day Weekend. We have a few training opportunities to share, and a newJuvenile Criminal Diversion Plan Checklist to help you with the plans due in January.
Juvenile Criminal Diversion Plans
Have you started working on plans for your court’s juvenile criminal diversion plan as required by the last legislative session? If not, that’s okay! We have some resources available to help you, including a new checklist. We will also be discussing these plans at all of this year’s Justice of the Peace and Experienced Court Personnel Conferences.
In addition to our resources, the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC) also has resources available on this topic. https://www.tmcec.com/youth-diversion/
Back To School: Legal Advice vs. Legal Information – A Court Staff Essential
Sep 4, 2024, at 02:00 PM
Unsure about the difference between legal information and legal advice? You’re not alone! This session will hit the important highlights to help you confidently navigate this important issue when interacting with the public. Use this training to enhance or develop resources and guidance for your court or community.
Who Should Attend?
Courtroom Clerks
Probation Officers
Self-Help Center Staff
Court Navigators
Anyone who interacts with the public on legal matters
National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID) Conference
NASID is excited to bring together national experts in impaired driving as we examine the whole DUI system through engaging presentations and interactive discussions. These discussions will include gaps and challenges to impaired driving data, attention to trends in drugs and other substances, detection methods including needed chemical testing protocol enhancements, DUI enforcement, prosecuting the drugged driver, mental health and impaired driving, and existing and emerging technology through screening and assessment.
The NASID Conference will be a great place for networking opportunities for attendees across the traffic safety field to help eliminate impaired driving. We have multiple networking breaks planned throughout the conference and a networking reception on the first night.
November 18, 2024 – November 20, 2024
Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel 2800 South Potomac Avenue Arlington, VA 22202
Government employee and Not for Profit (NPO) registration is $350, other attendee registration is $500.
You can register now and use the purchase order option for later payment.
We hope you are having a great week, and staying cool. These updates include some very important information, including registration dates for next year’s programs.
Spanish Forms
Most of the TJCTC Forms have been translated into Spanish for the convenience of your constituents. You can find them at the bottom of the TJCTC Forms Page: https://www.tjctc.org/tjctc-resources/forms.html
To find out how many hours you have completed, log-in to your student account and view your transcript. Attached is a pdf guide showing you how to access your transcript.
Jim Wells County has invited deputies who need free training to attend their civil process training. Remember, that elected constables are required to get their 1415 requirement from TJCTC, but deputies can take this training for their requirement. Thanks Jim Wells Constables & Sheriff for making this available. The training flier is attached.
Dates: October 9-11, 2024
Location: Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office Training Center, 300 North Cameron St., Alice, Texas 78332
We are cruising right into back-to-school season! Did you know that August is National Wellness Month? What a perfect way to start out our new education year and get back into the swing of things! This edition of TJCTC updates includes our Legal Question of the Month, and some online training opportunities, as well as a few very important announcements about updated online training.
To find out how many hours you have completed, log-in to your student account and view your transcript. Attached is a pdf guide showing you how to access your transcript.
Summer Clerk Testing
Registration opened July 24th for the Summer round of clerk testing. TJCTC will accept registrations from July 24th to August 14th. If you register during that period, you can take the exam between August 1st and August 30th. Visit our clerk certification page for more information: https://www.tjctc.org/court-personnel/clerk-certification-program.html
What the heck is going on with juvenile diversions? We have gotten many questions lately about preparing for the new juvenile diversion programs required by House Bill 3186. While we do not have a recommended plan, we do have many resources available to courts in drafting their plans.
Every Justice Court is required to have a diversion plan available for public inspection on January 1, 2025.Because the legislature gave the courts wide latitude over how a plan is going to be run (because each of the 254 counties is very different), TJCTC can’t really say one option is preferable to another for every single justice court. However, each court needs to go through a similar process to draft their plan.
Step 1. Gather Data
How many juvenile cases does your court handle on average?
What resources do you have available to your court?
What are other courts in your area doing? Could you collaborate?
Step 2. Draft Plan
Questions we think should be answered by your diversion plan:
Are you going to use your own plan, or are you going to team up with other courts in your municipality, county or region?
Who is going to act as your youth diversion coordinator?
When will diversion be offered: (1) prior to court involvement (i.e. “intermediate diversion,” in which case the charge will not be filed unless diversion is unsuccessful), (2) diversion by court (in which case the charge will be dismissed after the child signs the diversion agreement), or (3) both?
What nonexclusive list of services can be included in the plan?
How is the diversion plan going to be monitored?
Note, this list of questions is not exhaustive, but just covers the basics.
Look for more resources for drafting plans in our upcoming programs and here in these Updates in the next month or so!
Step 3. Evaluate Your Plan and Make Necessary Changes
The first draft is not a forever plan! You can always make any necessary changes as you implement the plan. We would recommend that you start with the basics and add on more options and resources as your court and local partners (probation departments, prosecutors, local service providers, etc.) get comfortable with the process.
You may even want to test some components of your plan prior to the January start date to work out any potential issues.
Step 4. Implement Your Plan
Remember, the plan must be in place on January 1, 2025!
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Courses
Visit the NJC website at http://www.judges.org for registration information and for a full list of the NJC’s courses.
Constable Corner
Are you looking for online training updates? Lexipol offers a great number of free webinars and other resources for law enforcement. These resources are a great compliment to your civil process training from TJCTC, as they cover other topics that we do not teach and that may not always be available in-person for your offices.
Check out The Briefing from Lexipol for updates on new training.
Supporting Rural Law Enforcement
All law enforcement agencies often encounter citizens with mental health issues. Find support and training on that intersection on the Council of State Governments Justice Center website, including some resources created especially for rural agencies.
Shout out to our impressive friends in Bexar County who have received national attention for their mental health response initiative. You can check out their program on the Council of State Governments Justice Center website.
There are some new Recordings for Credit and Self-Paced Modules on the TJCTC website. Make sure you check out the following if you still need hours or the topic sounds interesting!
Recordings for Credit
Cannabis Legalization the Impacts on Impaired Driving – 1 hr credit
2024 Family Violence Update – 2 hrs credit (This recording includes information about the required, updated protective order forms from OCA.)
Notes on the new required forms for Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs)/Magistrate’s Orders for Emergency Protection (MOEPs):
Please note that out of these forms, only the Magistrate Order for Emergency Protection (MOEP) is required for JPs at this time. No changes may be made to this form except the following:
If the extra lines for protected persons at the top of p. 2 are not needed, they can be deleted.
Section XI. Admonition on Ineligibility to Possess Firearm or Ammunition on p. 6-7 will only apply if you’ve prohibited possession of a firearm on p. 2. The form should be updated at some point to add a check box for whether this admonition applies. In the meantime, if possession of a firearm has not been prohibited, Section XI will need to be crossed out or deleted.
The Instructions for Completing the Orders – currently under the Temporary Ex Parte Order form – apply to all orders, including the MOEP.
“Other Forms (Discretionary)”:
The following are relevant for JPs and may be modified as desired:
Motion to Modify MOEP
Order on Motion to Modify MOEP
Request for MOEP
The TCIC Protective Order Data Entry Form is also on this list but should not be modified.
*Updated* Deferred Disposition and DSC Dismissals – 1.5 hrs credit
We hope this information was helpful, and like always, see you at the next program! If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments about these updates, please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu
