Category: TJCTC Update

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TJCTC Updates 1.6.2025

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Happy New Year!

Welcome back to the office (hopefully you all had at least a little well-needed time off this holiday season)!

We wanted to kick this year off right with some resources and updates. 

Countdown to the New Year: 10 Ways to Ring in Your Mental Health

As we start a new year, judges, court staff, and law enforcement are often faced with hard cases and burnout, making some of those resolutions to take care of your health even harder!

Take a look at this article from Mental Health First Aid about how to look after your mental health and that of your friends, family, and co-workers this season.

Clerk Testing Goes Live Tomorrow!

It’s time! Exam registration opens tomorrow at 8 am.

To register for the exam just head to our exam website and click on “1. Register to take the exam online” then click the link for the appropriate exam.

This will take you to log into your TJCTC account and then you register like you would for one of our conferences.

To take the Master exam you must already be level one certified (you only need to have passed one of the level one exams).

Registration closes on January 16. The exams will open on January 17th and close on February 14th. For questions contact Darby Swoboda at d_s520@txstate.edu. 

Continued Guidance on Magistration in Open Court

TJCTC has continued to receive questions on the ruling in Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County case from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

There have been concerns about not having enough time to implement procedures to make magistration hearings open. Unfortunately, this is just the nature of how court rulings can impact local procedures. Going forward, magistration proceedings must be open.  

Please continue to work with your local partners – county/district attorneys, sheriff, and jail staff to ensure that your magistration proceedings are open. You can read more about the case in an earlier post on The Docket.  

Read more from other groups here: Texas Commission on Jail Standards and Texas District and County Attorney’s Association.

NCSC Self-Represented Litigants:

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has compiled a page of resources for courts to use when assisting self-represented litigants (SRLs), including some very helpful videos that you can share on your website or in the courtroom!

Access the Resources Page: https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/self-represented-litigants

Access the Videos: https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month

In January, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be kicking off the first national Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month – a time to raise awareness of the benefits and availability of evidence-based treatments for people with a substance use disorder.

So, check out our their Treatment Month Toolkit, and keep your eyes on all of SAMHSA’s social media platforms. There you’ll find our tips, resources and even webinars to help people learn more about what substance use disorder is and how it can be effectively treated.

Poverty Awareness Month

Every January is National Poverty Awareness Month. 

This is a great time to think about access to justice issues in your courts and communities, because they are often related to poverty.

Some resources to review are:

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TJCTC Updates 12.11.2024

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Happy Wednesday!


This week has been busy and also very exciting as we welcomed the new judges to their Stage I training.


This update is packed-full. Make sure you scroll all the way down to find the links for our NEW Juvenile Diversion Forms and to sign up for our upcoming Juvenile Diversions Webinar: Children in the Courts.

Caselaw Update Important
 

First Amendment Right to View Magistration Hearings

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that a closed magistration hearing violates the First Amendment. The case is Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County.

Check out our full explanation and advice on TJCTC’s blog, The Docket.

Read the case: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50135-CV0.pdf

Legal Topic of the Week

Public/Open Records

As our newly-elected colleagues are taking office, so are many new court personnel and deputies. We thought this is an appropriate time to remind everyone about their duties related to public access to court and government records. 

Courts

Remember, courts hold two types of records: court case records and judicial records. Both are generally open for public access or inspection, with a few limitations. The chart below (from page 14 of the Recordkeeping and Reporting Deskbook) discusses the differences.

Court Case Records vs. Judicial Records

Key Point

Because these records are public, there should not be a burdensome process for a someone to go through, especially a party or person assisting in their representation.

For example, in an eviction case, an attorney may request a copy of the case file prior to agreeing to represent a tenant or landlord in an appeal, so that they can make sure they don’t have any conflicts. It is important for these records to be released promptly, because of the short timelines for the case. No letter of representation is necessary for the release of the records, because the record is public and could be released to anyone. If you would like the person requesting the record to submit a written request, it is a best practice to have a form ready for them to complete and allow submission of the request by email, mail, and at the counter. 

Do you want to study the specifics of records release and retention? The Recordkeeping Deskbook discusses these issues in detail!

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Constable Records

Constable and other law enforcement offices are subject to the Public Information Act (PIA), so they follow different rules related to the release of records. 

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has a helpful page about the PIA requests and even has a PIA handbook available. Visit the AG’s PIA webpage: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government/members-public/how-request-public-information

TJCTC Webinar: Children in the Courts 12/17/2024

This webinar will explore juvenile diversions including potential issues related to language access, mental health concerns, and disabilities. This course satisfies the requirement of Government Code Sec. 22.1105.  

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Note: An extension of this course will also be offered as a general session at the 20-hr Conferences during this academic year.

Register on Zoom: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BnXHlI0cRhaEuGveolXNBQ#/registration

Juvenile Diversion Forms Update

Did you know that we have lots of resources to help you with juvenile diversions?

Remember, Juvenile Diversion Plans must be in place and available for public inspection for all justice courts by January 1, 2025. 

Texas County Progress

The Texas County Judges & Commissioners Association publishes a monthly magazine that often has helpful articles and information for justices of the peace and constables.

This month they shared an article called Do’s and Don’ts of County Purchasing, that might be of particular interest, especially for the newly-elected.

Read the Article on the County Progress website: https://countyprogress.com/dos-and-donts-county-purchasing/

Do you have questions about this update or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

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TJCTC Updates 12.5.2024

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Is it December already??

As the year comes to an end, we have a few legal updates for you as well as some training opportunities.

There is recent caselaw out of the Fifth Circuit that will impact your county, and the Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC) requires JP responses soon, as JPs fill the coroner role in Texas.  Also, don’t miss a pretty cool new resource to share with self-represented litigants!

Caselaw Update

First Amendment Right to View Magistration Hearings

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that a closed magistration hearing violates the First Amendment.  The case is Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County. In Caldwell County at the time the lawsuit was filed, magistration occurred via videoconference.  The defendant was in the county jail.  No counsel, family, friends, or press were present at the magistration hearing.  The sheriff had a policy of prohibiting access to the jail to observe magistration. The federal district judge granted a preliminary injunction against the county, meaning that the federal judge found a substantial likelihood that the two news outlets and an advocacy organization would succeed at trial.

The court of appeals recently affirmed the trial court’s ruling. The three-judge panel stated, “There can be no question that public access to bail hearings plays a significant positive role in the functioning of bail hearings.”  While there may be exceptions, they found that there is a presumptive First Amendment right to access to magistration hearings.

It is unclear how counties are going to respond to this ruling.  Like Caldwell County has chosen to do, other counties may comply by streaming the proceedings via Zoom and YouTube. This seems to be the most accepted method, because magistration hearings often take place in a secure location in the jail where there could be safety and liability issues for the public to be physically present during the hearings. Because your county attorney would represent you in any litigation, it’s important that you seek their advice on this important issue. 

Read the case: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50135-CV0.pdf

Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC)

IMPORTANT!!!!

RTI International, on behalf of BJS, is conducting the Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC), and they are in our last 2 weeks of data collection efforts. 

All JPs in counties without a Medical Examiner’s Office should have gotten an email with log in credentials for the CMEC in early October.  If you have not yet completed the survey, please do so by December 13 so that you can be included in this important effort. 

It’s crucial for all offices, no matter the size, to participate in the CMEC to ensure the data accurately reflects all offices performing death investigations across the US.  Even if you are not tasked with death investigation efforts, please log in, and the survey will allow you indicate that you do not investigate deaths as part of your assigned responsibilities. 

As of now, Texas’ response rate is less than 10%.  If you did not receive log in credentials for the survey, or if you have any questions, please contact CMEC@RTI.org.  

Justice Court Section Webinar: Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench 12/6/2024

Join the Justice Court Section of the State Bar of Texas as Hon. Ralph D. Swearingin, Jr. and Daisy Espinoza present Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench.

Friday, December 6, 2024 at noon

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtceigpjgpHtIrJeddTuKVH2PIek4LZDiM#/registration

Webinar: Chat with a Forensic Pathologist 12/11/2024

Dr Michael Baden is a renowned, 90 year old forensic pathologist who has been chief medical examiner for the city of New York, chairman of the house select committee on assassinations, investigated the assassination of John F Kennedy, the OJ Simpson murders, and many other well known cases. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 4:00 pm.

Note: this event will be an in-person chat with the famous doctor, sponsored by AD Valor Technical Cleaning in Dublin OH. Click the button below to watch via Zoom. 

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ASz6mHutSvyyjQFBRFzGiA#/registration

TJCTC Webinar: Children in the Courts 12/17/2024

This webinar will explore juvenile diversions including potential issues related to language access, mental health concerns, and disabilities. This course satisfies the requirement of Government Code Sec. 22.1105.  

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Note: An extension of this course will also be offered as a general session at the 20-hr Conferences during this academic year.

Register here: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BnXHlI0cRhaEuGveolXNBQ#/registration

Video Series from Austin Young Lawyers Association

Austin Young Lawyers Association has launched “How to Pick Jurors for Your Trial in Justice Courts and Municipal Courts” video series. AYLA received a Texas Bar Foundation grant to produce these educational series for pro se litigants. The video project made possible with the support and efforts of the Travis County District Clerk.

This is a great resource to share with self-represented litigants who have questions about the trial process, especially jury selection.

You may also notice a special appearance by your colleague, Judge Sylvia Holmes. 

Here is the link to the series: https://lnkd.in/eEpgdFdu

Do you have questions about this email or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

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TJCTC Updates 11.22.2024

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Hello

We have lots to share this week! There are some important legal updates and reminders as well as training opportunities, so make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom.

Inquest Week

Recordings are live! If you missed the live webinars or would like to re-watch a session, click the button below to view the recordings.

Remember, if you weren’t present for the live webinar, you can always submit a form to receive credit for the recording.

Watch the recordings on the TJCTC Virtual Programs Page: https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/virtualprograms.html

JPs in the News

Take a look at the KXAN project, “A Hanging on Backbone Creek,” featuring the Hon. Rick Hill, from Brazos County and Hon. Debra Bindseil, from Burnet County.

This news story is delving into the inquest process in Texas after an investigative report about an unsolved murder from 59 years ago.

Check out the article on KXAN’s website: https://www.kxan.com/backbone-creek/legal-history/

Legal Topic of the Week

 
Statements of Inability to Pay

This topic is always important to court personnel and judges who interact with litigants on civil cases, and TJCTC receives questions daily about the procedures surrounding these Statements, contests, and other related procedures.

Question: Can a court reject the Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs if it is not complete?

Answer: No. The clerk has a clerical duty to accept documents filed with the court for processing, and the Statement of Inability is no exception. If it looks like a litigant might not understand the form or needs assistance, it is always okay to refer them to legal information like the resources we discuss at the end of this Update.

Question: Does a Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs have to be notarized?

Answer: No. The Statement can either be notarized, or it could be sworn to under penalty of perjury. Only one is required. Also remember, a court clerk or judge can give the oath to a litigant and swear to their signature, even if they are not a notary.

Do you have more questions? Search the Civil Deskbook and the Evictions Deskbook for “Statement of Inability.” There are several sections of the Deskbooks that discuss this topic in details.

Access the fillable Statement of Inability to Pay: https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/tlsc_fee_waiver_02_2023.pdf

Caselaw Update

 
First Amendment Right to View Magistration Hearings

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that a closed magistration hearing violates the First Amendment. The case is Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County. In Caldwell County at the time the lawsuit was filed, magistration occurred via videoconference. The defendant was in the county jail. No counsel, family, friends, or press were present at the magistration hearing. The sheriff had a policy of prohibiting access to the jail to observe magistration. The federal district judge granted a preliminary injunction against the county, meaning that the federal judge found a substantial likelihood that the two news outlets and an advocacy organization would succeed at trial.

The court of appeals recently affirmed the trial court’s ruling. The three-judge panel stated, “There can be no question that public access to bail hearings plays a significant positive role in the functioning of bail hearings.” While there may be exceptions, they found that there is a presumptive First Amendment right to access to magistration hearings.

It is unclear how counties are going to respond to this ruling. Like Caldwell County has chosen to do, other counties may comply by streaming the proceedings via Zoom and YouTube. This seems to be the most accepted method, because magistration hearings often take place in a secure location in the jail where there could be safety and liability issues for the public to be physically present during the hearings. Because your county attorney would represent you in any litigation, it’s important that you seek their advice on this important issue.

Read the case: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50135-CV0.pdf

TAC Mental Health Conference

The Texas Association of Counties would like to invite all justices of the peace to their upcoming Judicial Forum on Mental Health on January 9-10, 2025, in Austin.

To register, visit: www.county.org/jfmh

Justice Court Section Webinar: Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench 12/6/2024

Join the Justice Court Section of the State Bar of Texas as Hon. Ralph D. Swearingin, Jr. and Daisy Espinoza present Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench.

Friday, December 6, 2024 at noon

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtceigpjgpHtIrJeddTuKVH2PIek4LZDiM#/registration

Webinar: Chat with a Forensic Pathologist 12/11/2024

Dr Michael Baden is a renowned, 90 year old forensic pathologist who has been chief medical examiner for the city of New York, chairman of the house select committee on assassinations, investigated the assassination of John F Kennedy, the OJ Simpson murders, and many other well known cases.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 4:00 pm.

Note: this event will be an in-person chat with the famous doctor, sponsored by AD Valor Technical Cleaning in Dublin OH. Click below to watch via Zoom.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ASz6mHutSvyyjQFBRFzGiA#/registration

TJCTC Webinar: Children in the Courts 12/17/2024

This webinar will explore juvenile diversions including potential issues related to language access, mental health concerns, and disabilities. This course satisfies the requirement of Government Code Sec. 22.1105.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Note: An extension of this course will also be offered as a general session at the 20-hr Conferences during this academic year.

Register: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BnXHlI0cRhaEuGveolXNBQ#/registration

Texas Law Help

Did you know that you can refer people to www.texaslawhelp.org when they have questions about how to complete a Statement of Inability to Pay for Court Costs?

There are several resources on their website, including a video for litigants to watch on how to fill out the forms.

Also note, they have a fillable version of the Statement on their website that is user-friendly.

Access other resources related to this week’s legal topic on their website: https://texaslawhelp.org/article/court-fees-and-fee-waivers

Do you have questions about this email or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

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TJCTC Updates 11.15.2024

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Hello!

Happy Friday. We are excited to announce that we are using a new email provider for these e-blasts, so hopefully you will have less trouble receiving them than with our prior software. (It also makes the job of compiling them a bit easier, so we are really crossing our fingers that it works out)!
We have a few resources to share and a big thank you to all of our Inquest Week participants for a great week of virtual training.

Inquest Week

If you missed it, don’t worry, recordings of most sessions will be live in the next few weeks, so look for an update via email soon.

We also want to remind you that we have some great inquest training coming up at both our regular 20-hour conferences and new judge conferences this year.

Juvenile Criminal Diversions

Just a reminder that there is a new self-paced module explaining the new Juvenile/Youth Criminal Diversion requirements in justice courts.

As part of this training, we are sharing sample diversion plans from across the state. Please reach out to mark.zuniga@txstate.edu if you are willing to share yours.

Legal Topic of the Week
 

Interpreters

If a participant in a court proceeding needs an interpreter for spoken language, or because of a disability affecting their ability to communicate in some other way (American Sign Language, etc.), the court MUST appoint one. Generally, courts will be required to appoint a certified interpreter, but there are limited circumstances where the interpreter does not have to be certified.

A court may appoint a spoken language interpreter who is not a licensed court interpreter:

  • in a county with less than 50,000 residents;
  • in a county with more than 50,000 residents if the language is not Spanish and the court finds that there is no licensed court interpreter within 75 miles who can interpret in that language; or
  • in a county that:
  • is part of two or more judicial districts, that has two or more district courts with regular terms, and that is part of a district in which a county borders on the international boundary of the United States and the Republic of Mexico;
  • borders on the international boundary of the United States and the Republic of Mexico and that is in a judicial district composed of four counties;
  • borders on the international boundary of the United States and the Republic of Mexico and that has three or more district courts or judicial districts wholly within the county; or
  • borders on the Gulf of Mexico and that has four or more district courts or judicial districts of which two or more courts or districts are wholly within the county.
  • Government Code §§ 57.002, 57.002(d-1); Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 21.021.

Even if a county is not required to provide the licensed interpreter, they still must provide an interpreter that is qualified by the court as an expert, at least 18 years of age, and that is not a party to the suit. See TX Gov’t Code Section §57.002(e).

Did you know we have a module full of information about Interpreters & Spanish Legal Terminology? You can access it on our Self-Paced Module Page – https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/selfpacedmodules.html.

Do you have questions about this email or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

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TJCTC Updates 11.08.2024

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Happy Friday!

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. 

Find the list of webinars and registration links here: https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/virtualprograms.html

Registration Updates

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!

Judges: https://www.tjctc.org/justices-of-the-peace/education-events.html

Court Personnel: https://www.tjctc.org/court-personnel/education-events.html

Constables: https://www.tjctc.org/civil-process/education-events.html

New Form

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. 

We hope you have a great weekend! 

– Thea & the TJCTC Team

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TJCTC Updates 10.29.2024

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Hello Everyone,

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.

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Registration Updates

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)
  • Baylor Criminal Trial Workshop
  • Secrets of the Dead Workshop
  • Impaired Driving Symposium

For more information about each program, visit: https://www.tjctc.org/justices-of-the-peace/education-events.html

Court Personnel

  • Virtual Criminal
  • Virtual Civil
  • Rural Clerk Workshop

For more information about each program, visit: https://www.tjctc.org/court-personnel/education-events.html

Civil Process

  • Registration for Civil Process will open next week.

For more information about next year’s programs, visit: https://www.tjctc.org/civil-process/education-events.html

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.

October 31 from 10 – 11 am

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudeGsqDMsGNW3wsOZlvu93AsKLhMbNC2s#/registration

National Center for State Courts Trending Topic

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.

Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/remote-justice-virtual-support-domestic-p6f2e/

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.

You can access the study guide on the TJCTC Self-Paced Module Page, here: https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/selfpacedmodules.html

Happy Halloween! As always, we look forward to seeing you soon.

– Thea and the TJCTC Team

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TJCTC Updates 9.25.2024

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Hello Everyone!

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.html where 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.

Register Here: https://www.ncsc.org/conferences-and-events/events-calendar/2024/webinars/october/webinar-transitioning-to-a-new-leadership-role

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.

Register Here: https://www.ncsc.org/conferences-and-events/events-calendar/2024/webinars/october/webinar-navigating-ai-in-court-systems-ethics,-legal-frameworks,-and-practical-tools

2024-2025 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 – October 8

Court Personnel Early Registration (ONLY for clerks who were not able to attend a conference this year) – October 22

Regular Court Personnel Registration – October 28

Civil Process Registration – November 5

Judicial Education Requirements

Did you have to rush to complete last minute requirements this year? Check out this page on our website to make sure you know exactly what you need for this academic year that began on September 1, 2024: https://www.tjctc.org/justices-of-the-peace/education-requirements.html

Constable’s Corner: Constable Education Requirements

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. 

If you have questions about your other TCOLE Requirements, you can likely find the answer on the TCOLE Website: https://www.tcole.texas.gov/content/training-requirements.

Looking forward to seeing you at a conference or workshop soon!

– Thea & the TJCTC Team

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TJCTC Updates 8.29.2024

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Hello Everyone!

Happy almost Labor Day Weekend. We have a few training opportunities to share, and a new Juvenile 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.

Juvenile Deskbook Chapter 3A Juvenile Diversions

Juvenile Criminal Diversion Plan Checklist

Juvenile Criminal Diversions Webinar

Coming Soon Juvenile Criminal Diversions Self-Paced Module

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/ 

New Self-Paced Modules

Several new Self-Paced Modules have went live on the TJCTC website recently. This week, Residential Evictions: Step by Step was added. Self-Paced Modules can be found at https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/selfpacedmodules.html.

NCSC Webinar

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

Learn more and sign up on Zoom: https://ncsc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vm2EtY55Rdu0JT5RzfvJlg?utm_campaign=544834_Webinar%3A%20Training%20on%20legal%20information%20versus%20legal%20advice&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=v-0&dm_i=7L57,BOEA,4VW08I,1R6ZA,1#/registration 

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.

Here a few helpful links for the conference:

Texas Department of Transportation Save A Life logo

On that note, please be safe out there this Labor Day Weekend! Any questions about this e-blast can be directed to Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu.

– The TJCTC Team

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TJCTC Updates 8.15.2024

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Hello Everyone

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

Judicial Education Hours Due August 31st

JP judicial education hours are due August 31st. Visit our Justice of the Peace overview page for requirements: https://www.tjctc.org/justices-of-the-peace.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.

How-to-Find-Your-Education-Hours-and-Download-Your-Transcript-8.2024Download

Free Civil Process Class 3131 for Deputies

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

To register contact Lt. J. Reyes (361) 668-0341 or  j.reyes@jimwellscounty-tx.gov

Basic-Civil-Process-FlyerDownload

Registration Dates

Our new academic year is right around the calendar. Mark the registration dates on your calendar. More information to come!

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

Regular Court Personnel Registration – October 28

Civil Process Registration – November 5

Help us with next year’s classes!

Do you have an example of a tricky service issue or other civil process issue? Do you use text reminders for your court?

Please contact Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu if you do.

Trauma-Informed Practices for Criminal Courts

The Center for Justice Innovation released a new report called Trauma-Informed Practices for Criminal Courts earlier this year. It highlights some implementation opportunities that courts might be missing, even though they have training on trauma. Check it out on the State Justice Institute website: https://www.innovatingjustice.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2024/CJI_-SJI-Guide-TA-Trauma-Informed-Practices-Criminal-Courts-04302024.pdf

Thanks!

  • Thea & the TJCTC Team
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