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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Online Education Update

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Hot Off the Press!

The new Truant Conduct Self-Paced Module went live last night. You can find this module and several other new ones on TJCTC’s Self Paced Module Page. 


Did you miss other online learning opportunities released this academic year?

Modules:

Unidentified Bodies Toolkit

Deferred Disposition and DSC Dismissals

Interpreters and Spanish Legal Terminology

Occupational Driver License (ODL)

Find these on TJCTC’s Self-Paced Module Page.

Recordings for Credit:

Juvenile Criminal Diversions *hot topic*

Texas Demographic Trends and Characteristics

Cannabis Legalization and the Impacts on Impaired Driving

2024 Family Violence Update

Have you Heard of TMORT

Mental Health Resources for Judges

Find these on TJCTC’s Recordings for Credit Page.

Happy Learning!

-The TJCTC Team

TJCTC Updates 8.9.2024

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Hello Everyone

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.

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.

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

Wellness Month

Take some time this August to check-in with yourself, co-workers, family, and friends to make sure everyone is practicing good wellness habits. Here is an article from WebMD with some great tips: https://www.webmdhealthservices.com/blog/august-is-national-wellness-month-lets-make-well-being-a-priority-all-year-long/.

Illustrative Mental Wellness Tips Infographic

Legal Question of the Month

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

November 4 – 7, 2024, in-person course, Reno, NV; The Traffic Case: A Course for Nonlawyer Judges 

December 4, 2024, online webinar: Impaired Driving 2024: What’s New?

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.

https://jmhcp.org/issue-areas/law-enforcement/

Bexar County’s Mental Health Response Initiative

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. 

Updated Online Education

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):

Remember that the forms and instructions can be found here: https://www.txcourts.gov/rules-forms/standardized-protective-order-forms/

“Mandated Forms”

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.

Self-Paced ModulesUnidentified Bodies – 2 civil hrs credit

*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

-Thea & the TJCTC Team

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