markgoodner

From the 800 Line: Community Service and Jail Credit Rates

Art. 45.041 of the Code of Criminal Procedure tells us, in part that the “the judgment and sentence, in case of conviction in a criminal action before a justice of the peace or municipal court judge, shall be that the defendant pay the amount of the fine and costs to the state.” Although this isContinue reading “From the 800 Line: Community Service and Jail Credit Rates”

Is Technology the Answer to Speeding Fatalities?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding caused 11,258 United States traffic fatalities in 2020. Some traffic fatalities may simply be unavoidable. For example, a cautious, law-abiding driver hits a patch of invisible black ice and loses control of his vehicle. Speeding fatalities, on the other hand, are the result of a consciousContinue reading “Is Technology the Answer to Speeding Fatalities?”

Resource Highlight: Cash Bond Refund Form from OCA

Section 13 of S.B. 6, known as the Damon Allen Act, added Section 17.53 to the Code of Criminal Procedure requiring OCA to develop statewide procedures and prescribe forms to be used by a court to facilitate the refund of any cash funds paid toward a monetary bond, with an emphasis on refunding those fundsContinue reading “Resource Highlight: Cash Bond Refund Form from OCA”

2022 Impaired Driving Symposium

This week, municipal judges, justices of the peace, county judges, and district judges from across Texas gathered in Bee Cave and literally sat at the same table to discuss their roles and responsibilities within the lifespan of an impaired driving case. The annual two-day Impaired Driving Symposium’s roundtable setup facilitates networking and troubleshooting between judgesContinue reading “2022 Impaired Driving Symposium”

Not Responsible for Broken Windshields!

This piece arose out of a conversation amongst TMCEC attorneys, Ben Gibbs researched the issue. This is what he found. “If I stay back 201 feet, are you responsible for my broken windshield?” There are signs on the backs of almost every truck that say something very much like “Stay back 200 feet! Not responsibleContinue reading “Not Responsible for Broken Windshields!”

From the 800 Line: Temporary Tags

In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 3927 to combat the prevalence of unauthorized temporary motor vehicle tags. Valid temporary tags allow vehicles to be legally operated without registration (typically following a vehicle purchase). Much of H.B. 3927 focused on the creation and distribution of counterfeit temporary tags, which would result in Class B misdemeanorContinue reading “From the 800 Line: Temporary Tags”

The Right to Counsel vs. The Right to Appointed Counsel

In criminal prosecutions, the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, to be heard by the accused or by counsel, or both. This right is enshrined in Article 1, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution and in Chapter 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. However, the right to representation is not theContinue reading “The Right to Counsel vs. The Right to Appointed Counsel”

Three Weeks Left Until the End of the Academic Year!

There are only three weeks left the end of the 2022 Academic Year, which is also the deadline for completing judicial education hours. If you are a judge still needing some hours, there are still plenty of options remaining to complete your hours. In-Person TMCEC Conferences If you would like an in-person educational experience, TMCECContinue reading “Three Weeks Left Until the End of the Academic Year!”

Clerk Certification Highlight: Jennifer Bozorgnia

Mark Goodner sat down with Jennifer Bozorgnia to discuss The Municipal Court Clerk Certification Program MG: Jennifer, thanks for sitting down with me today to discuss clerk certification. With a goal of encouraging professional development and educational growth within the court clerk profession, program participants achieve certification upon successful completion of each of the threeContinue reading “Clerk Certification Highlight: Jennifer Bozorgnia”

Resource Highlight: Dual Office-Holding Made Easy

TMCEC often receives requests for information about dual office-holding. If you ever encounter these concerns, we first strongly suggest that you contact the city attorney with employment questions. In the end, legal advice about who a city employs and how should come from your own attorney, who may be familiar with confidential matters to whichContinue reading “Resource Highlight: Dual Office-Holding Made Easy”