legislative update – The Docket

June 12, 2025

TJCTC Updates 6.12.2025

Training & Updates

We wanted to remind you again about some online training opportunities (at the end of this email), an in-person training opportunity in August, and provide a few updates.

We have also received several calls about legislative changes. If you missed it, our legislative update programs are open for registration! Sign up at www.tjctc.org/legislative.

TLSC Eviction Helpline Closing

The TLSC statewide Eviction Helpline, 855-270-7655, is closing on July 31, 2025 due to funding ending. Anyone who calls the Eviction Helpline after July will hear a voicemail stating the Helpline has closed and directing them to website TexasLawHelp.org for information on what limited legal aid remains available and otherwise how to represent themselves.

It has been brought to our attention that many courts have this information as well as old information about the Texas Eviction Diversion Program in their current eviction citations. Please make sure your court is using the most up-to-date forms and no longer includes this information.

Please refer those asking for legal information to our Self-Represented Litigants Page that includes updated links to resources like TexasLawHelp.org and the Texas State Law Library.

Upcoming Training Opportunity

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.

Impaired Driving Symposium (judges only)

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.

Upcoming TJCTC Webinars

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.

Upcoming Inquest Webinar from Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Registries (EMSTR)

Data Quality Webinar

June 24th from 10:00 – 11:00 am CT

This session from the EMSTR Registry Operations Support Team will focus on the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Submersion (drowning) programs. This training will cover program inclusion criteria and common questions that come up when reporting these case types.

The sessions will end with a brief Q&A component. Questions regarding the Acute Injury (Trauma Program) are also welcome for Registrars who fulfill both functions. Please register to receive an emailed invitation to join the meeting. Don’t hesitate to reach out ahead of time to injury.web@dshs.texas.gov with any questions or concerns!

Note: This is not a TJCTC webinar, but it is from a reputable source and judges can receive judicial education credit for attending and reporting their attendance to TJCTC.

Upcoming Inquest Webinar from Valor

From Crime Scene to Autopsy: An Insider’s Journey into Death Investigations

June 24th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm CT

Join Valor Technical Cleaning for a powerful, one-time-only forensic science webinar featuring two of the most influential voices in death investigations.

Dr. Michael Baden – World-renowned forensic pathologist, known for his work on the John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jeffrey Epstein cases.

Joseph J. Kolb, MA – Former death investigator with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, certified Diplomate of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, Executive Director of the Southwest Gang Information Center, instructor for the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy and experienced criminal justice instructor.

In this exclusive discussion, these two experts will walk us through the real-life process of death investigations—from the scene to the autopsy room. You’ll gain rare insight into the intersection of field forensics and pathology, directly from the front lines of some of history’s most significant investigations.

Note: This is not a TJCTC webinar, but it is from a reputable source and judges can receive judicial education credit for attending and reporting their attendance to TJCTC.

April 24, 2025

TJCTC Updates 4.24.2025

Online Learning, News, & Legislative Updates

This edition includes some interesting online learning opportunities, a few news updates, and the below button to sign up for our upcoming Legislative Updates in case you missed our earlier emails.

Visit https://www.tjctc.org/legislative.html to register for a Legislative Update.

Updated Moving Violation Link

The link for the chart of Moving Violations has been updated. This is the list courts use to determine Driving Safety Course eligible offenses for defendants under the age of 25.

The new link is: https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/October252024/tables-and-graphics/202404823-1.pdf

TJCTC materials will be updated later this year to include this new link and other legislative changes.

Note: There has been some confusion about when this list is used, but nothing has changed for that purpose – the web link was the only change. For more information about when to use this list, please see pages 46-48 of the Criminal Deskbook.

15th Court of Appeals Court Overturned San Marcos’ Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance

Earlier this month, the Fifteenth Court of Appeals sided with the State of Texas in its lawsuit against the city of San Marcos, mayor, city council and police chief. The court found the ordinance violates Section 370.003 of the Texas Local Government Code, which prohibits local governments from adopting policies that do not fully enforce state drug laws.

The ordinance barred San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) from arresting or citing individuals for marijuana possession of up to four ounces, except under limited felony-related circumstances. The ordinance also prohibited the use of THC testing for prosecution, the use of marijuana odor as probable cause and citations for paraphernalia or residue.

What does this mean for justice courts?

While this isn’t fully settled across the state, you may see similar ordinances in your area being changed or not enforced. You may see more class c offenses related to marijuana or THC in your courts.

Read the case.

Note, the topics of hemp, marijuana, and THC have also been referenced in pending legislation, so there might be more news about related laws later this summer.

**This week** Webinar from State Bar Justice Court Section: Repair and Remedy and Repair and Deduct Claims in Justice Courts

Friday, April 25, 2025, Noon – 1 pm

This session will offer 1 hour MCLE credit. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

Course Description: This presentation will provide a statutory and procedural overview of Repair and Remedy and Repair and Deduct claims, both governed by Chapter 92, Subchapter B of the Texas Property Code, in Justice Courts. Additionally, this presentation will review relevant caselaw related to Repair and Remedy and Repair and Deduct claims and further provide practical considerations and best practices.
We hope to see you in attendance!

Instructors: Marisela Gonzales and Stuart Campbell

Note: This is not a TJCTC sponsored webinar, but from a section of the Texas State Bar Association.

From the Judicial Commission on Mental Health

JCMH Rural Issues Committee

Rural communities in Texas make up an overwhelming number of jurisdictions in the state, and the issues they face are unique and often overlooked. Limited access to healthcare professionals, travel distances, and funding issues are among the most-common issues we’ve heard raised by rural communities, and so JCMH is launching a committee dedicated to focusing on the issues faced by rural communities at the intersection of mental health and justice.

This committee will focus on collaboration, idea-sharing, and adapting solutions to rural communities. Bringing together experts and community and judicial leaders can develop sustainable solutions, and raise common obstacles for statewide consideration. Keep an eye out for more information on partnering in these efforts, and email us at jcmh@txcourts.gov to express interest or share your ideas!

Upcoming TJCTC Webinars

Clearing Your Docket While Helping Your Community: An Update

June 5th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm

This webinar will be an overview of strategies to clear criminal case dockets while ensuring that indigent defendants’ rights are protected.

It will include information about Omnibase holds, waiver of fines and fees, community service plans, other indigent assistance strategies, and include relevant legislative updates

Updated Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Page

Did you know that TJCTC updated our Self-Represented Litigant Page?

We made some updates and added a few more resources. Make sure you take a look and feel free to share with people who come to your court looking for assistance.

Note: There are several great videos about court procedures from the National Center for State Courts and the Austin Young Lawyers Association available there now as well.

Check out the SRL Page: https://www.tjctc.org/srl.html

September 22, 2020September 23, 2020

Protective Order Registry

This is a reminder of requirements that went into effect under SB 325 concerning submitting applications for Emergency Protective Orders and copies of the EPOs into the Protective Order Registry that OCA was required to establish by June 1, 2020.

Important Note: The Supreme Court has extended the date for courts to begin reporting to October 15 due to the pandemic. Here is the order: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1449663/order-209106.pdf

The new law requires the clerk of the court to enter any application for an Emergency Protective Order and any EPO that is issued or modified into the Protective Order Registry as soon as possible but not later than 24 hours after the filing of the application or issuance of the EPO.

The clerk may delay the entry only to the extent that they lack the specific information required to be entered.

If an EPO is vacated or expires, the clerk must update the status of the Order in the Registry.

Here is a link for the clerk to log in to enter the application and EPO, as well as training on how to do this: https://www.txcourts.gov/judicial-data/protective-order-registry/authorized-user-information-instructions/

Here is the link to TOPICs (Texas Online Public Information – Courts), the OCA Protective Order Registry website as the public views it: https://topics.txcourts.gov/

And this the link to the Protective Order Registry home page: https://www.txcourts.gov/judicial-data/protective-order-registry/

These requirements are set forth in Sections 72.151 – 72.158, Government Code.

Please let us know if you have any questions. You may also wish to contact OCA if you have any technical questions about how to enter the application or EPO.