Inquest Week kicked off yesterday with two great webinars – Beyond the Surface: Delving into Medicolegal Death Investigations of Suicides and Missing Migrants.
The webinars will continue all week, but we also wanted to remind you about additional Inquest resources.
TJCTC Charts & Checklists Page
Did you know that in addition to the Inquest Deskbook, we have several charts, checklists, and other resources on our Charts & Checklists Page just for your inquest work? Included on this page are a recently updated Inquest Procedure Flowchart, Formal Inquest Procedure Flowchart, Mass Fatality Resources, Medical Records Letter, Organ Donation Information, Inquest Helpful Links, Cause and Manner Tips, Death Investigation Tips, and Medical Terminology Handout.
Working with the Center for Human Identification at UNT
Join our friends from Texas State University to learn more about the assistance they can provide in death investigations as well as their tips for identifying bodies and determining cause and manner of death.
The state of Texas has a number of resources that a Justice of the Peace can use when they are overwhelmed by a catastrophic event. This presentation will address utilizing the Texas Mass Fatality Operations Response Team (TMORT) and the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC), whether you simply need a phone consult or your county needs a team to provide significant support on the ground.
Speakers: Victor Wells & Dr. Jason Wiersema from TMORT
Do you want to see what the Tissue Recovery Center looks like? As part of this webinar, you will receive a video tour of the center and then have a chance to ask all your tissue recovery related questions!
We just have a few announcements and reminders this week.
Inquest Week
Our series of webinars focused on Inquests is coming up next week! Don’t miss your chance to sign up, as we have some special speakers that we don’t often get to see in person, including agents from Border Patrol, an expert on suicide deaths, and more.
As of this week, registration for all of our regular 10, 16, and 20 hour programs and most workshops is open. Make sure you sign up if you haven’t already!
This month we added a new form, Protected Property Claim Hearing – Order. Judges should use this form when they make a decision on an Exempt/Protected Property Hearing. You can find the form under Enforcement of Civil Judgments under the Civil Procedure Forms tab on the TJCTC Forms Page.
Wow! It is almost the end of October already. It has been a busy month at TJCTC getting ready for the next academic year and getting judges and court personnel registered for conferences and workshops. In this edition of TJCTC Updates, we have a few education opportunities for you as well as our Legal Question of the Month and other resources.
Board Question of the Month
Question: Does this new policy (below) mean I should do something different in eviction cases?
Answer: No. This document outlines limitations and policies that the Borrower/Landlord has to comply with based on the type of loan they received. If the Borrower/Landlord does not follow the policies, then there is a specific penalty outlined in the document. This isn’t something that the court needs to ask about during an eviction case.
Registration has been going smoothly thanks to our Program Administration Team and Home Office Team. If you get a chance, tell Jessica, Darby, Laura, Jasmine, Jeff, Sonya, and Francisco how much you appreciate them!
While many programs are full, there are still some spots available in the following programs for judges & court personnel.
Judges
Lubbock 20-hr Conference
Austin 10-hr Conference (same week as JPCA Day at the Capitol)
Any elected constable who has not yet completed their 1415 TCOLE requirement for this training cycle will receive an early registration link from Laura Villarreal at lv13@txstate.edu by 10/29/2024.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Texas Advocacy Project Webinar: Power & Control: Going Beyond the Basics of Intimate Partner Violence
This training session will delve into the complexities of intimate partner violence, helping participants to recognize abusive tactics and identify high-risk indicators. We will also tackle common myths and misconceptions, shedding light on the barriers that make leaving an abusive relationship so challenging. Additionally, we’ll explore the impact trauma has on survivors and share empowering strategies to enhance their safety and support.
Remote Justice: Virtual Support for Domestic Violence
Technology has been associated with exacerbating safety concerns for many survivors of domestic violence. Abusers may violate privacy and security online to maintain control over their partners. However, technology has recently proven to be of benefit in the form of support system for survivors.
Constable’s Corner:*NEW* Civil Process Proficiency Certification(CPPC) Exam Study Guide
If you are preparing to take the CPPC Exam, check out the new self-paced study guide with information about how to take the test and what information it will cover.
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/.
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.htmlwhere 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.
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.
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
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.
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
Happy New Year! We hope you got some needed rest, relaxation, and family time over the winter holidays. We are back to work here at TJCTC and wanted to share a few updates and resources with you!. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this email (especially if you are confused or have questions about our new “database” or registration system and student profiles).
CJIS Password Expiration
Many courts had their CJIS passwords expire over the holidays, and the CJIS office wanted us to let you know who to contact for help. Emails are below.
You can also contact your CJIS Field Auditor if you have additional questions. Their contact information can be found on their website on the CJIS Field Auditor Region List.
Upcoming Webinars
State of the State: Texas Demographic Trends and Characteristics, hosted by TJCTC
January 25th from 10:00 – 11:30 am CST
Speaker: Lloyd B. Potter
Do you want to know who is in your county and state? This webinar will provide information on the Texas population, including rural vs urban trends, migration information, and birth rates. It will also cover how Texas compares to other states and projected changes for Texas’ future.
Texas State Law Library Online Resources, 1 Hour Civil
Do you know about the resources available on the Texas State Law Library (TSLL) Website? Any Texan can get a free library card and access to these legal resources, so not only can judges, constables, and court staff use these resources for legal research, but the public can as well. Watch this one-hour prerecorded webinar for an overview from TSLL staff.
You can find the recording for credit on the TJCTC Recordings for Credit Page under Court and Office Management Webinars. The TSLL also has additional self-help videos on their YouTube Page.
Database and Website Help
Are you confused? Don’t worry, some of us at TJCTC are too! Here are a few FAQs and a video to hopefully help you out.
FAQs:
Did TJCTC get a new website? No. The website is still www.tjctc.org.
Did the Deskbooks and forms move? No. You can still find them under the Legal Resources tab at www.tjctc.org.
How do I get to the legal board? You can access the legal board by logging into your new database account (with your email address, just like when you registered for a seminar this year). You can also use the old links on the legal board page (under the Legal Resources tab) that have been redirected to the new location.
Click the links below to watch videos about our website resources and new database.
As always, we are looking forward to seeing you at a program in the upcoming months. We have a very busy Spring full of education events for you lined up from TJCTC!
