Utah recently changed their BAC limit to .05. Click on this link to see an article about how the new law has impacted their DWI arrests:
https://www.newsweek.com/utah-alcohol-driving-dui-drunk-driving-law-1382890
Challenges of Determining Driving Impairment from Marijuana Use
With the legalization of marijuana in various states, there has been an increased focus on the question of how to determine whether a driver is impaired after using marijuana.
Click on this link to see a recent article on this topic from the Los Angeles Times:
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-marijuana-dui-20180322-story.html
Newly Certified Clerks – Galveston Seminar
The Justice Court Clerk Certification Program allows experienced justice court clerks to demonstrate their knowledge of statutes, procedures, and ethical guidelines applicable to Texas justice courts. Justice court clerks who pass an examination receive certification as a Certified Clerk or a Master Certified Clerk.
The following clerks attended the Galveston seminar in February 2019 and passed their certification exams:
- Master Certified Clerks
- Nikki Ashley – Johson County
- Evelyn Butler – Montgomery County
- Hailey Clark – Harris County
- Kristy Goodspeed – Hill County
- Catalina Mainheit – Fort Bend County
- Roxana Pantoja – Collin County
- Kacey Wymack – Fort Bend County
- Level 1 Certified Clerks – Criminal
- Erica Baird – Fort Bend County
- Taylor Christian – Brazoria County
- Sandra Fails – Polk County
- Rosa Gallegos – El Paso County
- Melanie Guzman – Hidalgo County
- Angie Ibarra – Waller County
- Christi Johnson – Bandera County
- Vicky Page – Chambers County
- Sharon Patterson – Polk County
- Evie Perez – Harris County
- Melissa Ringo – Montgomery County
- Claudia Sanchez Costillo – Kaufman County
- Roxana Sifuentes – Galveston County
- Teri Stout – Parker County
- Valeria Villacorta – Harris County
- Brooke Moore Wiggins – Collin County
- Sharon Williams – Brazoria County
- Level 1 Certified Clerk – Civil
- Justin Bonds – Hill County
- Katherine Bouse – Jefferson County
- Loren Donaldson – Brazoria County
- Jessica Mosqueda – Harris County
- Tatiana Raya – Montgomery County
- Stephanie Solis – Medina County
- Melanie White – Johnson County
Congratulations to all of our newly certified clerks!!!
Newly Certified Clerks – San Marcos Fall Seminar
The Justice Court Clerk Certification Program allows experienced justice court clerks to demonstrate their knowledge of statutes, procedures, and ethical guidelines applicable to Texas justice courts. Justice court clerks who pass an examination receive certification as a Certified Clerk or a Master Certified Clerk.
The following clerks attended the San Marcos seminar in November 2018 and passed their certification exams:
- Master Certified Clerks
- Kelly Kinsinger – Travis County
- Eva Romero – Maverick County
- Brandy Wood – Johnson County
- Level 1 Certified Clerks – Criminal
- Stacy Allen – Denton County
- Donna Busse – Grimes County
- Lorraine Camacho-Rodriguez – Travis County
- Tracy Casiano – Bexar County
- Leticia Gonzales Lopez – Karnes County
- Sandi Hollinger – Nueces County
- Lakeisha Lowe – Dallas County
- Vanessa Thompson – Bowie County
- Level 1 Certified Clerks – Civil
- Kristine Bode – Guadalupe County
- Shelbie Carwile – Guadalupe County
- Kristy Gonzalez – Bexar County
- Kimberly Moya – Bexar County
- Jacqueline Parchem – Waller County
- Cassie Wise – Bandera County
Congratulations to all of our newly certified clerks!!!
Texas A&M Transportation Institute Drug Impaired Driving Newsletter
Check out the first issue of the Drug Impaired Driving Newsletter published by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute!
The newsletter and an option to sign up to be added to their newsletter mailing list can be found at this link:
https://groups.tti.tamu.edu/cades/2019/01/30/drug-impaired-driving-newsletter-volume-1-issue-1/
Self-Represented Litigants Webpage
TJCTC has just launched a Self-Represented Litigant page that includes packets for the public explaining processes in justice court.
You can check out the webpage here: https://www.tjctc.org/SRL
Feel free to print out the packets and provide them to members of the public at your court.
No More Civil Case Info Sheet for Justice Court
On February 26th, the Texas Supreme Court repealed the rule that requires justice courts to collect civil case information sheets. Go here to read the order regarding Rule 502.2(b).
TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS HOLDS TIME PAYMENT FEE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Texas Court of Appeals Holds Time Payment Fee Unconstitutional
In a decision filed on February 5, 2019, the Texas Court of Appeals for the 14th Judicial District held that the time payment fee allocated to the general revenue fund (90% of the $25 collected) is facially unconstitutional. The court held that the portion of the fee that goes to the county (10% of the $25 collected) is valid. Since this case was transferred from the 3rd Court of Appeals to the 14th Court of Appeals, all counties in the 3rd and 14th Judicial Districts would fall under the authority of this opinion. We recommend that judges in those counties immediately meet with county officials, including your county attorney and county auditor, to discuss this opinion before assessing or collecting the full time payment fee in any case.
Those counties are: Harris, Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Fayette, Hays, Irion, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, McCulloch, Milam, Mills, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Sterling, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson.
A motion for rehearing has been filed, and the state could appeal the decision to the Court of Criminal Appeals and, if so, any CCA ruling would be binding statewide. Additionally, the Legislature may decide to address the time payment fee this session. Stay tuned to the situation, and be sure to attend a TJCTC Legislative Update seminar for the latest information.
Read the opinion here.
Welcome!
Welcome to the Texas Justice Court Training Center’s new blog. We hope to post interesting articles and legal announcements that you will find helpful. Check back weekly to see what TJCTC is reading and discussing.