It’s that time of year again! TJCTC Conference Registration!
Registration is opening for Constables, Deputies, and Constable Clerks soon. We have pulled together the most important information to enable a smooth registration process. Please make sure you read all the information provided below.
Step 1: Make sure your account is up to date.
To get a head start and ensure smooth registration, we suggest checking your student account. Do you remember your account password? When was the last time you updated your pertinent information (Email, Contact Info, PID#, ETC.)?
To save yourself some time on registration day, check all your login information and if you are having trouble logging into your student account, please contact Jeff Grajek (tjctcoffice@txstate.edu) ahead of time.
Step 2: Review this year’s dates and locations to pick the right conference for you.
Look at the dates and locations early so you know where to navigate to on registration day. You can view our conferences through the Education Events webpage. For a step-by-step guide on registering, visit our Registration Guide page. The links for each available conference on our education page will go live on October 21st.
Step 3: Look over TJCTC’s registration policies and procedures.
If it has been a while since you last registered it is always good to have a refresher, so you are all set and ready to go once registration opens. We have a “How To Register” guide and a ton of helpful info for Constables, Deputies, and Constable Clerks on the registration webpage. You can find the link to the registration guide webpage in Step 2 above.
Constables, Deputies, Constable Clerks: October 21st, 8:00 am
Registration links will go live at 8:00 am on October 21st for all Civil Process conferences.
If you have any questions about registration or the various conference opportunities, reach out for assistance. We can’t wait to see you at a conference again soon!
Important Legislative Updates Taking Effect September 1, 2025!
There are several legislative updates going into effect on Monday, September 1, 2025, so we wanted to make sure you knew about the new laws and the corresponding forms that we have prepared for your use.
Please read this entire email for all of the details, links to forms and other resources, and helpful information!
This bill has several parts, most of which will impact constable processes. The main new process assigned to constables goes into effect Monday, September1, 2025.
Removal of Unauthorized Occupants (new procedure!)
This is a new procedure described in new Property Code Chapter 24B where property owners (or their agents) can request immediate removal by sheriff/constable of a person unlawfully occupying a dwelling, if:
The property was not open to the public when entered,
The property is not the subject of pending litigation between the parties,
The owner/agent has directed the person to leave, and they have not done so, and
The occupant is not a current/former tenant (under written or oral lease), immediate family, owner, or co-owner.
Who can file?
The complainant must be:
the record owner of the property that is the subject of the complaint or the owner’s agent; and
otherwise entitled to the relief sought in the complaint.
What is the procedure?
The owner/agent must file a complaint that is sworn or has an unsworn declaration that includes everything listed in the statute and provide ID (and agent must give documentation of authority to act on owner’s behalf). In the county where the property is located. (This means, any precinct.)
The Sheriff or Constable must establish the following:
The property was not open to the public when entered,
The owner/agent is actually the owner and has entitlement to make the complaint,
The property is not the subject of pending litigation between the parties,
The owner/agent has directed the person to leave, and they have not done so, and
The occupant is not a current/former tenant (under written or oral lease), immediate family, owner, or co-owner.
If the Sheriff or Constable determines that at least one of the issues exist the owner will be directed to proceed to the proper JP Court for the necessary eviction process.
Then without delay, the Sheriff or Constable must serve notice to immediately vacate (by hand delivery or affixing the notice to the front door or entrance of the dwelling) and restore possession to the owner.
The property owner or owner’s agent may request that the sheriff or constable remain on the property to keep the peace while the owner or owner’s agent:
changes any locks; and
removes any personal property of an occupant from the dwelling and places the personal property at or near the property line of the owner’s property.
Important Notes:
Law enforcement may arrest unauthorized occupants for trespass, outstanding warrants, or other offenses for which there is probable cause.
Sheriffs/constables may charge a fee equivalent to executing a writ of possession, plus an hourly rate if asked to remain on-site during removal.
Sheriffs/constables are shielded from liability for loss/damage during removal.
Owners/agents are generally not liable for property loss/damage from removal, but may be sued for wrongful removal and face damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees.
The return of service should be provided to the person that filed the complaint and copy kept in the file at the constable/sheriff’s office.
This bill has other parts, including the creation of new criminal offenses. You can learn more by reading the Civil Process Legislative Update Materials on the TJCTC Legislative Page – https://www.tjctc.org/legislative.html
New Forms
Click the buttons below or visit the TJCTC Forms Page to access the new forms drafted by TJCTC for this process. Special thank you to Constable Chad Jordan’s Office for collaborating on these forms
Want more information about other legislative changes? Visit the TJCTC Legislative Page to download handouts and other information: https://www.tjctc.org/legislative.html
Registration for Programs is Coming Soon!
Civil Process Conferences will open for registration starting on October 21, 2025. Look for more information soon.
There will also be a special workshop this coming academic year, specifically for constables and deputies where we will do a deep dive into all of the recent changes to evictions and landlord/tenant issues!
As we come to the end of summer, there are some interesting online learning opportunities and of course legislative updates coming up very soon before we get back into the next year of regularly-scheduled training.
We have received several calls about legislative changes. We are hard at work going through the changes to explain them to you and update materials!
Several of the Legislative Update programs still have seats left:
Beaumont (Judges, Court Personnel, & Civil Process) on August 28
Virtual Civil Process on September 10
Lubbock (Judges & Court Personnel) on September 15
Virtual Judges & Court Personnel on September 17
Some other programs have short wait lists, and you may still get a spot, but it is not guaranteed.
After August 15, please email Jay Takach atjay.takach@txstate.edu if you are interested in joining.
For the next few months, we will be highlighting legislative changes each time we send out Updates.
Our first highlight is SB 2371, related to credit card skimmers on electronic terminals.
This bill created a new class c offense among other statutes related to credit card skimmers. It went into effect on May 27, 2025.
Sec. 607A.102.CRIMINAL OFFENSES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person refuses to allow an inspection of an electronic terminal at the merchant ’s place of business in violation of Section 607A.053. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. (b) A person commits an offense if the person negligently or recklessly disposes of a skimmer that was installed on an electronic terminal by another person. An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor. (c) A person commits an offense if, knowing that an investigation is ongoing or that a criminal proceeding has been commenced and is pending, the person disposes of a skimmer installed on an electronic terminal by another person. An offense under this subsection is a felony of the third degree
Upcoming Training Opportunity
TAC RMP Regional Pool Workshops
Various Dates from September 23, 2025 – October 02, 2025 (multi-day)
TAC Risk Management Pool Regional Workshops are scheduled around the state and are designed to be small, intense and topic-specific. These one-day sessions will cover the latest in risk control, human resources and law enforcement.
Who Should Attend?
Elected and appointed officials, decision-makers for the Pool, human resource directors and managers, workers’ compensation managers, and department managers or supervisors.
Registration Fees
The workshops are provided at no cost to county officials and staff.
Lunch and Learn Webinar (court personnel only): From Lockouts to Light Switches: Understanding Writs of Re-Entry and Restoration in Texas
Tired of evictions? Bring your lunch and join us for a Lunch and Learn covering other common landlord/tenant cases like Writs of Retrieval, Re-Entry, Restoration, and Repair and Remedy. We’ll break down how to process and adjudicate these cases with practical tips and real-world insight.
This webinar is TOMORROW, Thursday, August 14th, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm.
AI evidence in jury trials: Authenticity, admissibility, and roles of the court and juries
As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies become more prevalent, state courts are likely to encounter AI-generated evidence, such as deepfakes, reconstructed videos, and synthetic documents.
Join the TRI/NCSC AI Policy Consortium to explore the evidentiary challenges posed by both acknowledged and unacknowledged AI-generated evidence in jury trials. Panelists will examine existing legal frameworks for authentication and admissibility and provide practical guidance for judges and attorneys. Special attention will be paid to the unique responsibilities of courts and juries in evaluating the authenticity and reliability of AI-generated evidence, as well as the potential need for updated jury instructions and judicial guidance.
Did you know that August is National Wellness Month?
Take some time this month to reflect on your wellbeing as well as what you can do at the office and at home to promote wellness for your employees/coworkers and family.
As we head into this first week after the July 4th holiday, our thoughts are will those in the Hill Country and across Texas who were affected by the storms and flooding. At the bottom of this email, we have compiled a list of organizations working on the ground that you may be able to utilize or share with members of your community.
Today’s updates include a few legal announcements, including an emergency order affecting the Hill Country in addition to information about upcoming trainings. Note, we have announced an additional virtual Civil Process Conference for those needing to get their TCOLE requirements this cycle.
We have received several calls about legislative changes. We are hard at work going through the changes to explain them to you and update materials! If you missed it, our legislative update programs are open for registration. Sign up at www.tjctc.org/legislative.
Emergency Order
Today the Texas Supreme Court issued a First Emergency Order on the Hill Country Flood State of Disaster.
Key provisions of the order include:
– Court proceedings throughout Texas should be delayed or modified where reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.
– Pursuant to section 22.0035(b) of the Texas Government Code,3 any statute of limitations applicable to a civil claim is suspended if the claimant shows that this disaster prevented the timely filing of the claim.
– Pursuant to section 22.0035(b) of the Texas Government Code, all courts in Texas should consider disaster-caused delays as good cause for modifying or suspending any deadline or procedure—whether prescribed by statute, rule, or order—in any case, civil or criminal.
– All attorneys and litigants are strongly encouraged to cooperate with opposing counsel, opposing parties, and court personnel to reach agreement on reasonable extensions of time and any other accommodations made necessary by this disaster.
The order expires on August 6, 2025, unless extended by the Court.
n a ruling last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the injunction in place against the execution of Senate Bill 4 from the 2023 legislative session (an immigration law that would allow local police to arrest people they suspect crossed the Texas-Mexico border illegally).
What does this mean?
This means that the laws created by Senate Bill 4 are currently not in effect. If/when there is another update, we will update you.
This 8-Hour program will include a range of topics on impaired driving and will include JPs, District Judges, County Judges, and Municipal Judges. Join us from July 30-31 to work with all levels of the judiciary to make Texas roads safer!
This program is sponsored by a generous grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. That means, it is FREE! There is no registration fee and the program comes with 1 free night at the hotel.
This upcoming conference from Texas Health and Human Services and other partners is a great opportunity for justices of the peace, constables, and other county employees who work in the criminal justice system.
Various Dates from September 23, 2025 – October 02, 2025 (multi-day)
TAC Risk Management Pool Regional Workshops are scheduled around the state and are designed to be small, intense and topic-specific. These one-day sessions will cover the latest in risk control, human resources and law enforcement.
Who Should Attend?
Elected and appointed officials, decision-makers for the Pool, human resource directors and managers, workers’ compensation managers, and department managers or supervisors.
Registration Fees
The workshops are provided at no cost to county officials and staff.
Justice for All: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Animal Cases in the Courtroom
July 18th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
This webinar will address the role of the justice of the peace in animal cruelty cases, as well as other animal-related laws appearing before the court.
In doing so, it will touch upon dangerous dog cases, serious bodily injury cases, civil seizures, appellate process, and thinking outside the box when working with the parties for the greater good of the community.
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/.
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
Please share this with the constable clerks that you work with. This program includes courses specifically designed by clerks and is sure to be a great few days in Galveston!
