Here is an article that details how Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is expanding their network, including empowering individual giving, to help fight impaired driving.
Fight Impaired Driving with Personal Donations, Webinars, and More!
TxDOT and Law Enforcement Fighting Impaired Driving Together
This article describes how TxDOT and Texas law enforcement officers teamed up to fight impaired driving.
TJCTC Updates 8.29.2024
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:
- To register for the conference, please click here: https://web.cvent.com/event/10ca507b-a5f8-4a4c-b2c5-1d438991b403/summary. Hotel links will be sent out after registration takes place.
- Hotel rate is $193 a night, available in the hotel block
- The agenda continues to be finalized, updates will be posted here: https://web.cvent.com/event/10ca507b-a5f8-4a4c-b2c5-1d438991b403/websitePage:1326cab6-a09c-4e1c-90d1-c50f81e9b506
- For those who need justification letters to register, please find our draft letter for use: https://nasid.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NASID-Conference-2024-Justification-Letter.pdf
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
Online Education Update
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
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/.
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.
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
Reminder of Drunk Driving Devastating Impact
This article highlights the dangers of drunk driving and reminds us of the importance of working to stop impaired driving.
Grants Given to States to Combat Impaired Driving
Here is an article that details how three states got grants for initiatives to combat alcohol, cannabis and multiple-substance impaired driving.
TJCTC Updates 5.30.2024
Hello Judges, Clerks, Constables, & Deputies,
We have training opportunities and resources to share with you in this last eblast this month. We hope you are enjoying your summer so far!
Court Personnel Exams Open!
The spring edition of the court personnel exams are now open! Take your open book exam online with TJCTC’s virtual proctoring program. The exams will be open until June 19th. Register by June 14th to take exams during this timeframe. To learn about the exam and register now, visit our court personnel certification page: https://www.tjctc.org/court-personnel/clerk-certification-program.html For questions, email Jessica at jessforeman@txstate.edu.
What is the clerk certification program?
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 Texas Justice Court Training Center creates and administers all exams.
Texas DSHS Training on Mass Fatalities
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Location: Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC), 7500 W US Highway 90 1-200, San Antonio, Texas 78227
This in-person seminar will cover the topic of Mass Fatality Management in Public Health Region 8. Presentations will be given by the following agencies: American Red Cross, Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, Medicolegal Authority/Justice of the Peace, Texas Department of State Health Services Region 8, Texas Funeral Directors Association and Texas Mass Fatality Operations Response Team (TMORT). When the presentations are completed, the speakers will form a panel and a question-and-answer session will occur to provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification for issues not addressed during the lectures.
For more information and to register, visit the DSHS website.
Impaired Driving Taskforce DWI Summits hosted by The Texas Center for the Judiciary
The DWI Summits bring judicial education to smaller communities around the state. Come learn about:
The program is open to County Judges, County Court at Law Judges, District Judges and Justices of the Peace. Programs begin at 10 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m. Lunch is provided. Please check with your judicial education organization regarding reimbursement. |
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Email hollyd@yourhonor.com if you would like to attend or need more information.
Free Lexipol Webinar for Law Enforcement
Every Day Is a Training Day: The Value of Daily Training on Policy
Thursday, May 30 | 1 pm Eastern
Presented by: Chief (Ret.) Mike Ranalli and Battalion Chief (Ret.) Bruce Bjorge
When first responders are operating in the field, they are often required to make quick decisions. As a public safety leader, you hope your personnel have been trained on both policy and practice and you trust they are making sound decisions. However, there are times when your personnel encounter unfamiliar scenarios — situations that are low frequency but high risk.
Join Chief (Ret.) Mike Ranalli and Battalion Chief (Ret.) Bruce Bjorge, as they discuss how using Daily Training Bulletins (DTBs) can help ensure your personnel are not only reviewing agency policy but also receiving regular training on your agency policy.
You’ll learn:
- The legal and cultural reasons training requirements exist.
- How DTBs can be one of the most versatile tools in your training toolbox.
- How to identify which training needs can be met by DTBs and which can’t.
- How Lexipol’s Policy Management solution can help to fulfill your policy training needs.
Registration is free. Can’t make it? Register anyway and Lexipol will send you a link to the recording after the event.
NCSC Webinar – Courageous Conversations
Wednesday, June 12
Courageous conversations are fundamental to effective leadership. As a leader, conversations with your team, colleagues, and even supervisor can, at times, be challenging to navigate. It is through the careful navigation of these conversations that one can foster positive relationships and ensure effective communication.
In this episode of Navigating Leadership, Sara Grondahl, Human Resources Director for the Alaska Court System, will discuss familiar challenges and barriers to effective communication and leave you feeling empowered with a toolbox of skills and strategies that will allow you to confidently put courageous conversations into practice.
Future sessions of this series include:
- July 10 – Effective Leadership Teams
- August 14 – How to Get and Give Good Feedback
- September 11 – What Does Leadership Mean to You?
- October 9 – Transitioning to a New Leadership Role
- November 13 – Developing a Leadership Culture
Visit ncsc.org/leadershipseries for more information and to access sessions on demand.
Mental Health Resources
To round out Mental Health Awareness Month, the JCMH Collaborative Council recently shared the following resources for county officials involved in Mental Health Committees/Councils/Workgroups. Several may be helpful in rural areas, especially to get grant funding or loan forgiveness programs started for mental healthcare workers.
State Office of Rural Health Resources
This is a great resource for rural judges to share with their local partners who work in the mental healthcare. SORH works to support rural health providers by providing technical assistance with finance, operations, and quality through a variety of grant programs, workshops, and one-on-one assistance. Additional resources include educational awards that are available to individual clinicians and health care institutions, information and referral, funding resources, and assistance with medical license applications.
Visit their website.
Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program
Mental health professionals practicing in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA) and providing services to recipients under a medical assistance program, may be eligible for a loan repayment award between $10,000 and $160,000, depending on your practice specialty.
If this sounds like it applies to professionals in your county, check out their website.
Department of Health and Human Services Loan Repayment Program
This is another grant opportunity for mental health and substance abuse professionals who work in underserved areas.
If this sounds like it applies to professionals in your county, check out their website.
Save-the-Date for the Annual JCMH Summit
Please join the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health (JCMH) for the 2024 Judicial Summit on Mental Health taking place November 21 – 22, 2024, at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center in Allen, Texas.
JCMH is also accepting session proposals if your court or another county program is doing something that you would like to share with stakeholders around the state.
Visit the JCMH website for details and more information.
We hope you found something helpful in this update. See you at a program soon!
– Thea & the TJCTC Team
Helping Parents Fight Impaired Driving
This article provides details about Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) creating a handbook for parents to help fight against underage drinking and impaired driving.
Drunk Driving Deaths Increased Again
Here is an article that provides details on the increase of drunk driving deaths throughout the nation.