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Spotlight: Juvenile Diversions December 2024

Hello Judges & Court Personnel,

As January is upon us, we wanted to make sure that you have all of the resources related to Juvenile Diversions in one place.  Remember, the new Juvenile Diversion Programs must be up and running by January 1, 2025, including courts providing public access to their Juvenile/Youth Diversion Plans.

You may have already taken a course at a 20-hr program, one of our webinars, or completed the self-paced module and have seen many of these resources before, but note that there are additional resources compiled here.

You will also find an FAQ below with some common questions. 

TJCTC Resources

You can access many resources related to Juvenile Diversion on TJCTC’s website (https://www.tjctc.org/).

Frequently Asked Questions

We receive some questions often, and wanted to include them as a reference guide.

Fees: 

Can you clarify or help me find where in the statute it states courts have to pay for any outside program assigned during the youth diversion program. CCP Art. 45.312 states there can’t be a fee assessed by the courts other than the $50 fee, but not for any outside program referred to such as drug/alcohol class etc. There are many interpretations made by different courts and would like clarification or your perspective. 

From P. 86 of the Juvenile Deskbook: The court may collect from a child’s parent (not the child) a $50 Local Youth Diversion Administrative Fee to defray the costs of the diversion, but only if the fee is an accepted term in the diversion agreement. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 45.312(a), (b). Diversion may not be made contingent on payment of a fee. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 45.312(i). No other costs or fees may be assessed for a diversion. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 45.312(h). 

Since no other fees may be assessed or required, TJCTC believes that a child cannot be forced to pay for a program as part of a diversion. Options include the court/county using the fund created from the $50 administrative fee, Local Youth Diversion Fund, County Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Fund, or other general court funds to cover the costs of programs and/or entering into agreements with service providers for the programs to be made available to diverted children without cost. (Note, these specific Funds are discussed in the next FAQ). 

  

Juvenile Case Managers and Funding: 

What funding sources are available to help pay the salary or a Juvenile Case Manager/Youth Diversion Coordinator or supplement the salary of a court clerk who will serve in the role part time? 

There are several funds related to Juvenile Diversions and pay for Juvenile Case Managers (JCM) and Youth Diversion Coordinators (YDC). First, it is important that while in practice these position titles are hard to distinguish, many of the statutes do only apply to one or the other.  

A court can designate a YDC, but only a Commissioners Court can designate a JCM. 

First, we have the Administrative $50 fee under CCP Art. 45.312(a) that is the only fee assessed in a Juvenile Diversion. The purpose of this money is “to offset the costs of diversion” and it should be placed in an “account to offset the costs of diversion.” Note, the statute does not require this money to be put in one of the other funds that we discuss later. We believe these funds can be used to fund both the salary of a full-time JCM or YDC and as a supplement to a clerk, but since it isn’t collected until a diversion case comes in, it might be difficult to use this year for this purpose from an accounting perspective. 

Local Youth Diversion Fund (Local Government Code [LGC] 134.156) - this fund is funded by $5 from the Local Consolidated Cost charged as part of court costs. See LGC 134.103. This fund can be used for the salary and benefits of a full-time JCM, but “money in the fund may not be used to supplement the income of an employee whose primary role is not that of a juvenile case manager.” This means that in a county where there a JCM is spending their majority of the time on Juvenile Diversions and Truancy, then their salary could be funded by this fund. This fund won’t be available for a supplement for a JCM or YDC who primarily serves as a clerk. If a court doesn’t have a JCM, but does designate a YDC, they cannot use the Local Youth Diversion Fund to fund that position, even if that person does mostly juvenile work.  

County Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Fund (CCP Art. 102.0171) – This fund is funded by $50 from Graffiti offenses after Jan. 1, 2025, and can be used to “providing funding for youth diversion.” This funding could be used to fund JCMs or YDC, but because justice courts do not start contributing this fee to this fund until 2025, there may or may not be adequate funds for this purpose.  

The Justice Court Assistance and Technology Fund (CCP Art. 102.0173) – One of the allowable uses of this fund is “education, benefits, and salaries for court personnel.” This fund can absolutely be used to fund the salary of a JCM or YDC employed by the court or to supplement a court clerk’s salary who will serve as a JCM or YDC. 

Local Government Code 133.125(c) also allows for counties to apply for funds from the Governor, ” A local governmental entity may request funds from the criminal justice division of the governor’s office for providing youth diversion services. The division may award the requested funds based on the availability of appropriated funds and subject to the application procedure and eligibility requirements specified by division rule.” These funds could be used for the salary or supplemental salary of a person serving as a JCM or YDC. 

  

Expunction of Records:  

When does expunction of records happen in Juvenile Diversions?  

If the child is placed on diversion, then all records of the diversion must be expunged without the requirement of a motion or request, on the child’s 18th birthday pursuant to CCP Art. 45.313, whether or not the juvenile is successful. When a case is expunged, all records must be destroyed, and the existence of the case cannot be made known to anyone for any reason. For more information about juvenile diversion, please see Ch. 3A of TJCTC’s Juvenile Deskbook. 

Note, criminal charges filed, even if dismissed, would not be expunged automatically under this statute (but may be expunged under other statutes depending on the situation). 

  

Tracking Cases: 

We are trying to find a good way to track our cases that will be referred to the Juvenile Diversion Program. If we enter these cases in our case management system (Odyssey) and mark them as “sealed” or “locked” records, would that be sufficient to comply with the statute? I understand that they cannot remain “active cases”, but that way we would still have a way of keeping track of those individuals. 

Using a different case type or something like you have described makes sense. We do not see any major issues with this, as long as the records are handled appropriately under the statute if the juvenile completes the juvenile diversion successfully. 

Remember, diversion cases should only be tracked for the purpose of accounting, for statistical records of diversion strategies, and ultimately reporting successful diversions. They will be confidential and are not actually pending criminal cases (and if they were filed, should be dismissed) while the juvenile is in the diversion process. 

  

Minor Alcohol Cases & Diversion: 

What about MIC, MIP, and DUI? 

Remember, for the purposes of juvenile diversions, we are only talking about juveniles under the age of 17, minors aged 17-21 will not be eligible for this diversion, and will be handled according to standard procedures. 

Starting January 1, 2025, juvenile diversions are available to all offenses in justice court that are not traffic offenses.  The crimes of minor in possession and minor in consumption are not traffic offenses.  Therefore, an eligible child would be entitled to diversion for these alleged offenses.     

Our position is that Driving Under the Influence (DUI) [not Driving While Intoxicated – that is a higher-level case handled in other courts] is not a traffic offense either and would be entitled to diversion. 

Absent an express definition, words and phrases take on their normal meanings. Ultimately, it will be up to the court to decide if they believe that DUI falls into the category of “traffic offenses” or not, as there is no explicit definition. 

This is one way to think about what “traffic offenses” means.  Imagine that a teenager wanted to intern in your court.  You asked her whether she’s had any legal trouble besides traffic offenses.  If she had been caught driving under the influence, would she be lying if she had said “no?” We think she would be.  That’s why we think DUI is not a traffic offense and should be subject to diversion. Additionally, while it doesn’t apply specifically to juvenile diversions, the only definition of “traffic offenses” involves offenses in certain sections of the Transportation Code, and DUI by a Minor is in the Alcoholic Beverages Code. 

  

Intermediate Diversion Outcomes: 

What happens if a juvenile is on an intermediate diversion (handled by the Juvenile Case Manager/Youth Diversion Coordinator)? 

If the child successfully complies with the agreement, the case shall be closed and reported as a successful diversion to the court. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 45.309(c). If the child fails to comply, the child is referred for a non-adversarial hearing before the court. At this hearing, the court may hear from any person the court finds helpful in determining the best path forward, considering the best interests of the child and long-term safety of the community. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 45.311(a),(b).  If the court determines that the diversion was unsuccessful, the case may be referred to the prosecutor for a possible criminal filing or sent to the Juvenile Court.

More information about these hearings can be found on pages 85-86 of the Juvenile Deskbook.  

  

Additional Resources

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TJCTC Updates 12.11.2024

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Happy Wednesday!


This week has been busy and also very exciting as we welcomed the new judges to their Stage I training.


This update is packed-full. Make sure you scroll all the way down to find the links for our NEW Juvenile Diversion Forms and to sign up for our upcoming Juvenile Diversions Webinar: Children in the Courts.

Caselaw Update Important
 

First Amendment Right to View Magistration Hearings

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that a closed magistration hearing violates the First Amendment. The case is Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County.

Check out our full explanation and advice on TJCTC’s blog, The Docket.

Read the case: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50135-CV0.pdf

Legal Topic of the Week

Public/Open Records

As our newly-elected colleagues are taking office, so are many new court personnel and deputies. We thought this is an appropriate time to remind everyone about their duties related to public access to court and government records. 

Courts

Remember, courts hold two types of records: court case records and judicial records. Both are generally open for public access or inspection, with a few limitations. The chart below (from page 14 of the Recordkeeping and Reporting Deskbook) discusses the differences.

Court Case Records vs. Judicial Records

Key Point

Because these records are public, there should not be a burdensome process for a someone to go through, especially a party or person assisting in their representation.

For example, in an eviction case, an attorney may request a copy of the case file prior to agreeing to represent a tenant or landlord in an appeal, so that they can make sure they don’t have any conflicts. It is important for these records to be released promptly, because of the short timelines for the case. No letter of representation is necessary for the release of the records, because the record is public and could be released to anyone. If you would like the person requesting the record to submit a written request, it is a best practice to have a form ready for them to complete and allow submission of the request by email, mail, and at the counter. 

Do you want to study the specifics of records release and retention? The Recordkeeping Deskbook discusses these issues in detail!

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Constable Records

Constable and other law enforcement offices are subject to the Public Information Act (PIA), so they follow different rules related to the release of records. 

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has a helpful page about the PIA requests and even has a PIA handbook available. Visit the AG’s PIA webpage: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government/members-public/how-request-public-information

TJCTC Webinar: Children in the Courts 12/17/2024

This webinar will explore juvenile diversions including potential issues related to language access, mental health concerns, and disabilities. This course satisfies the requirement of Government Code Sec. 22.1105.  

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Note: An extension of this course will also be offered as a general session at the 20-hr Conferences during this academic year.

Register on Zoom: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BnXHlI0cRhaEuGveolXNBQ#/registration

Juvenile Diversion Forms Update

Did you know that we have lots of resources to help you with juvenile diversions?

Remember, Juvenile Diversion Plans must be in place and available for public inspection for all justice courts by January 1, 2025. 

Texas County Progress

The Texas County Judges & Commissioners Association publishes a monthly magazine that often has helpful articles and information for justices of the peace and constables.

This month they shared an article called Do’s and Don’ts of County Purchasing, that might be of particular interest, especially for the newly-elected.

Read the Article on the County Progress website: https://countyprogress.com/dos-and-donts-county-purchasing/

Do you have questions about this update or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

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TJCTC Updates 12.5.2024

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Is it December already??

As the year comes to an end, we have a few legal updates for you as well as some training opportunities.

There is recent caselaw out of the Fifth Circuit that will impact your county, and the Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC) requires JP responses soon, as JPs fill the coroner role in Texas.  Also, don’t miss a pretty cool new resource to share with self-represented litigants!

Caselaw Update

First Amendment Right to View Magistration Hearings

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that a closed magistration hearing violates the First Amendment.  The case is Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County. In Caldwell County at the time the lawsuit was filed, magistration occurred via videoconference.  The defendant was in the county jail.  No counsel, family, friends, or press were present at the magistration hearing.  The sheriff had a policy of prohibiting access to the jail to observe magistration. The federal district judge granted a preliminary injunction against the county, meaning that the federal judge found a substantial likelihood that the two news outlets and an advocacy organization would succeed at trial.

The court of appeals recently affirmed the trial court’s ruling. The three-judge panel stated, “There can be no question that public access to bail hearings plays a significant positive role in the functioning of bail hearings.”  While there may be exceptions, they found that there is a presumptive First Amendment right to access to magistration hearings.

It is unclear how counties are going to respond to this ruling.  Like Caldwell County has chosen to do, other counties may comply by streaming the proceedings via Zoom and YouTube. This seems to be the most accepted method, because magistration hearings often take place in a secure location in the jail where there could be safety and liability issues for the public to be physically present during the hearings. Because your county attorney would represent you in any litigation, it’s important that you seek their advice on this important issue. 

Read the case: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50135-CV0.pdf

Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC)

IMPORTANT!!!!

RTI International, on behalf of BJS, is conducting the Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC), and they are in our last 2 weeks of data collection efforts. 

All JPs in counties without a Medical Examiner’s Office should have gotten an email with log in credentials for the CMEC in early October.  If you have not yet completed the survey, please do so by December 13 so that you can be included in this important effort. 

It’s crucial for all offices, no matter the size, to participate in the CMEC to ensure the data accurately reflects all offices performing death investigations across the US.  Even if you are not tasked with death investigation efforts, please log in, and the survey will allow you indicate that you do not investigate deaths as part of your assigned responsibilities. 

As of now, Texas’ response rate is less than 10%.  If you did not receive log in credentials for the survey, or if you have any questions, please contact CMEC@RTI.org.  

Justice Court Section Webinar: Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench 12/6/2024

Join the Justice Court Section of the State Bar of Texas as Hon. Ralph D. Swearingin, Jr. and Daisy Espinoza present Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench.

Friday, December 6, 2024 at noon

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtceigpjgpHtIrJeddTuKVH2PIek4LZDiM#/registration

Webinar: Chat with a Forensic Pathologist 12/11/2024

Dr Michael Baden is a renowned, 90 year old forensic pathologist who has been chief medical examiner for the city of New York, chairman of the house select committee on assassinations, investigated the assassination of John F Kennedy, the OJ Simpson murders, and many other well known cases. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 4:00 pm.

Note: this event will be an in-person chat with the famous doctor, sponsored by AD Valor Technical Cleaning in Dublin OH. Click the button below to watch via Zoom. 

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ASz6mHutSvyyjQFBRFzGiA#/registration

TJCTC Webinar: Children in the Courts 12/17/2024

This webinar will explore juvenile diversions including potential issues related to language access, mental health concerns, and disabilities. This course satisfies the requirement of Government Code Sec. 22.1105.  

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Note: An extension of this course will also be offered as a general session at the 20-hr Conferences during this academic year.

Register here: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BnXHlI0cRhaEuGveolXNBQ#/registration

Video Series from Austin Young Lawyers Association

Austin Young Lawyers Association has launched “How to Pick Jurors for Your Trial in Justice Courts and Municipal Courts” video series. AYLA received a Texas Bar Foundation grant to produce these educational series for pro se litigants. The video project made possible with the support and efforts of the Travis County District Clerk.

This is a great resource to share with self-represented litigants who have questions about the trial process, especially jury selection.

You may also notice a special appearance by your colleague, Judge Sylvia Holmes. 

Here is the link to the series: https://lnkd.in/eEpgdFdu

Do you have questions about this email or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

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TJCTC Updates 11.22.2024

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Hello

We have lots to share this week! There are some important legal updates and reminders as well as training opportunities, so make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom.

Inquest Week

Recordings are live! If you missed the live webinars or would like to re-watch a session, click the button below to view the recordings.

Remember, if you weren’t present for the live webinar, you can always submit a form to receive credit for the recording.

Watch the recordings on the TJCTC Virtual Programs Page: https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/virtualprograms.html

JPs in the News

Take a look at the KXAN project, “A Hanging on Backbone Creek,” featuring the Hon. Rick Hill, from Brazos County and Hon. Debra Bindseil, from Burnet County.

This news story is delving into the inquest process in Texas after an investigative report about an unsolved murder from 59 years ago.

Check out the article on KXAN’s website: https://www.kxan.com/backbone-creek/legal-history/

Legal Topic of the Week

 
Statements of Inability to Pay

This topic is always important to court personnel and judges who interact with litigants on civil cases, and TJCTC receives questions daily about the procedures surrounding these Statements, contests, and other related procedures.

Question: Can a court reject the Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs if it is not complete?

Answer: No. The clerk has a clerical duty to accept documents filed with the court for processing, and the Statement of Inability is no exception. If it looks like a litigant might not understand the form or needs assistance, it is always okay to refer them to legal information like the resources we discuss at the end of this Update.

Question: Does a Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs have to be notarized?

Answer: No. The Statement can either be notarized, or it could be sworn to under penalty of perjury. Only one is required. Also remember, a court clerk or judge can give the oath to a litigant and swear to their signature, even if they are not a notary.

Do you have more questions? Search the Civil Deskbook and the Evictions Deskbook for “Statement of Inability.” There are several sections of the Deskbooks that discuss this topic in details.

Access the fillable Statement of Inability to Pay: https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/tlsc_fee_waiver_02_2023.pdf

Caselaw Update

 
First Amendment Right to View Magistration Hearings

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that a closed magistration hearing violates the First Amendment. The case is Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County. In Caldwell County at the time the lawsuit was filed, magistration occurred via videoconference. The defendant was in the county jail. No counsel, family, friends, or press were present at the magistration hearing. The sheriff had a policy of prohibiting access to the jail to observe magistration. The federal district judge granted a preliminary injunction against the county, meaning that the federal judge found a substantial likelihood that the two news outlets and an advocacy organization would succeed at trial.

The court of appeals recently affirmed the trial court’s ruling. The three-judge panel stated, “There can be no question that public access to bail hearings plays a significant positive role in the functioning of bail hearings.” While there may be exceptions, they found that there is a presumptive First Amendment right to access to magistration hearings.

It is unclear how counties are going to respond to this ruling. Like Caldwell County has chosen to do, other counties may comply by streaming the proceedings via Zoom and YouTube. This seems to be the most accepted method, because magistration hearings often take place in a secure location in the jail where there could be safety and liability issues for the public to be physically present during the hearings. Because your county attorney would represent you in any litigation, it’s important that you seek their advice on this important issue.

Read the case: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50135-CV0.pdf

TAC Mental Health Conference

The Texas Association of Counties would like to invite all justices of the peace to their upcoming Judicial Forum on Mental Health on January 9-10, 2025, in Austin.

To register, visit: www.county.org/jfmh

Justice Court Section Webinar: Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench 12/6/2024

Join the Justice Court Section of the State Bar of Texas as Hon. Ralph D. Swearingin, Jr. and Daisy Espinoza present Debt Claim Cases – Defaults in Justice Court – A View from the Bench.

Friday, December 6, 2024 at noon

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtceigpjgpHtIrJeddTuKVH2PIek4LZDiM#/registration

Webinar: Chat with a Forensic Pathologist 12/11/2024

Dr Michael Baden is a renowned, 90 year old forensic pathologist who has been chief medical examiner for the city of New York, chairman of the house select committee on assassinations, investigated the assassination of John F Kennedy, the OJ Simpson murders, and many other well known cases.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 4:00 pm.

Note: this event will be an in-person chat with the famous doctor, sponsored by AD Valor Technical Cleaning in Dublin OH. Click below to watch via Zoom.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ASz6mHutSvyyjQFBRFzGiA#/registration

TJCTC Webinar: Children in the Courts 12/17/2024

This webinar will explore juvenile diversions including potential issues related to language access, mental health concerns, and disabilities. This course satisfies the requirement of Government Code Sec. 22.1105.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Note: An extension of this course will also be offered as a general session at the 20-hr Conferences during this academic year.

Register: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BnXHlI0cRhaEuGveolXNBQ#/registration

Texas Law Help

Did you know that you can refer people to www.texaslawhelp.org when they have questions about how to complete a Statement of Inability to Pay for Court Costs?

There are several resources on their website, including a video for litigants to watch on how to fill out the forms.

Also note, they have a fillable version of the Statement on their website that is user-friendly.

Access other resources related to this week’s legal topic on their website: https://texaslawhelp.org/article/court-fees-and-fee-waivers

Do you have questions about this email or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

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TJCTC Updates 11.15.2024

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Hello!

Happy Friday. We are excited to announce that we are using a new email provider for these e-blasts, so hopefully you will have less trouble receiving them than with our prior software. (It also makes the job of compiling them a bit easier, so we are really crossing our fingers that it works out)!
We have a few resources to share and a big thank you to all of our Inquest Week participants for a great week of virtual training.

Inquest Week

If you missed it, don’t worry, recordings of most sessions will be live in the next few weeks, so look for an update via email soon.

We also want to remind you that we have some great inquest training coming up at both our regular 20-hour conferences and new judge conferences this year.

Juvenile Criminal Diversions

Just a reminder that there is a new self-paced module explaining the new Juvenile/Youth Criminal Diversion requirements in justice courts.

As part of this training, we are sharing sample diversion plans from across the state. Please reach out to mark.zuniga@txstate.edu if you are willing to share yours.

Legal Topic of the Week
 

Interpreters

If a participant in a court proceeding needs an interpreter for spoken language, or because of a disability affecting their ability to communicate in some other way (American Sign Language, etc.), the court MUST appoint one. Generally, courts will be required to appoint a certified interpreter, but there are limited circumstances where the interpreter does not have to be certified.

A court may appoint a spoken language interpreter who is not a licensed court interpreter:

  • in a county with less than 50,000 residents;
  • in a county with more than 50,000 residents if the language is not Spanish and the court finds that there is no licensed court interpreter within 75 miles who can interpret in that language; or
  • in a county that:
  • is part of two or more judicial districts, that has two or more district courts with regular terms, and that is part of a district in which a county borders on the international boundary of the United States and the Republic of Mexico;
  • borders on the international boundary of the United States and the Republic of Mexico and that is in a judicial district composed of four counties;
  • borders on the international boundary of the United States and the Republic of Mexico and that has three or more district courts or judicial districts wholly within the county; or
  • borders on the Gulf of Mexico and that has four or more district courts or judicial districts of which two or more courts or districts are wholly within the county.
  • Government Code §§ 57.002, 57.002(d-1); Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 21.021.

Even if a county is not required to provide the licensed interpreter, they still must provide an interpreter that is qualified by the court as an expert, at least 18 years of age, and that is not a party to the suit. See TX Gov’t Code Section §57.002(e).

Did you know we have a module full of information about Interpreters & Spanish Legal Terminology? You can access it on our Self-Paced Module Page – https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/selfpacedmodules.html.

Do you have questions about this email or have something we should share? Please email Amber Myers at a_m1814@txstate.edu with any questions or content to share.

Posted on

Inquest Week Day 2

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Hello Judges!

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.

Check them out here: https://www.tjctc.org/tjctc-resources/charts-and-checklists.html 

Webinars

Did you miss the sign-up for Inquest Week Webinars? Don’t worry, you can still sign up! Registration links for the remaining webinars are below.

Thursday, November 14th

1 pm – 2 pm

Border Patrol: Identifying Deceased Migrants and Utilizing Key Resources

Join this webinar to learn about the Missing Migrant Program (MMP), different death categories, rescue beacons, and much more.

Speakers: United States Border Patrol agents

Register here: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pKyXSLvpTNOfqTLOBO-bmg

2 pm – 4 pm

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. 

Speaker: Mark Ingraham, University of North Texas

Register here: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ry3GYKTvQxylyA2Gif1tsA

Friday, November 15th

10 am – 11:30 am

Resources for Mass Fatalities 

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

Register here: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6niJjliOQTm_Js8V6Dmd7Q

1 pm – 2 pm

Tissue Recovery Tour 

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! 

Speaker: Damian Jackson

Register here: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GGq1CY0NQQyUmpQkFR1ljQ

2 pm – 3 pm

Inquest Mentorship Roundtable

Discuss what you learned and find colleagues who are experts at different areas of Inquests that you may need help in!

Register here: https://txstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BDb729hcR3CPHMuLoClmyw

See full information about Inquest Week and other virtual programs on our website here: https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/virtualprograms.html

Posted on

TJCTC Updates 10.29.2024

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Hello Everyone,

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.

Fed-Backed-Fannie-MaeDownload

Registration Updates

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)
  • Baylor Criminal Trial Workshop
  • Secrets of the Dead Workshop
  • Impaired Driving Symposium

For more information about each program, visit: https://www.tjctc.org/justices-of-the-peace/education-events.html

Court Personnel

  • Virtual Criminal
  • Virtual Civil
  • Rural Clerk Workshop

For more information about each program, visit: https://www.tjctc.org/court-personnel/education-events.html

Civil Process

  • Registration for Civil Process will open next week.

For more information about next year’s programs, visit: https://www.tjctc.org/civil-process/education-events.html

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.

October 31 from 10 – 11 am

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudeGsqDMsGNW3wsOZlvu93AsKLhMbNC2s#/registration

National Center for State Courts Trending Topic

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.

Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/remote-justice-virtual-support-domestic-p6f2e/

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.

You can access the study guide on the TJCTC Self-Paced Module Page, here: https://www.tjctc.org/onlinelearning/selfpacedmodules.html

Happy Halloween! As always, we look forward to seeing you soon.

– Thea and the TJCTC Team

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Educational Opportunities October 2024

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Judges, Constables, and Court Personnel,

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.

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUud-2orjwqGNz0DIi-jcIE18oy569CDdKe#/registration

TJCTC Webinars

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.

Link: https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/technology/cybersecurity?utm_campaign=582857_%40the%20Center%20October%202%2C%202024&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=v-0&dm_i=7L57,CHQH,4VW08I,1VTZN,1

Other Upcoming Webinars (including topics like Artificial Intelligence, Civil Diversion Programs, Behavioral Health, and Developing a Leadership Culture)

Link: https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/webinars

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. 

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 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.

Constable Corner – Free Online Training

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/.

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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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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.

Law Enforcement
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. 

From Crisis to Care: An Overview of Bexar County, TX’s Mental Health Response Initiative

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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