Yesterday the Office of Court Administration sent out COVID UPDATE #25 with links to the new 38th Emergency Order as well as the new best practice recommendations for health considerations. If you are a municipal court professional and not on the email list, I have pasted the message below in its entirety. Judges, Clerks, andContinue reading “Supreme Court Issues 38th Emergency Order, Updates Best Practices”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Abbott Issues Executive Order GA-36, OCA Responds
On May 18, 2021, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-36 relating to the prohibition of governmental entities and officials from mandating face coverings or restricting activities in response to the COVID-19 disaster. This new order raised questions about how this prohibition impacted courts. Once again, the Office of Court Administration quickly sent out COVIDContinue reading “Abbott Issues Executive Order GA-36, OCA Responds”
Experience Educational Freedom with TMCEC Webinars
Frequently Asked Questions What is a webinar? A webinar is an educational course or class that is taught entirely online. TMCEC webinars are designed to be single-issue courses that are generally one hour long. What makes TMCEC webinars a unique learning experience? TMCEC webinars are designed to cater especially to municipal court personnel by coveringContinue reading “Experience Educational Freedom with TMCEC Webinars”
From the Archives: The Eight Purposes of Courts
This morning, my colleague, TMCEC Deputy Counsel Robby Chapman, presented a webinar on Records. In his introductory remarks he mentioned the Eight Purposes of Courts from Ernie Friesen. In September 2016, I wrote the following about the purposes on an earlier version of this blog. In the wake of this morning’s webinar, now is theContinue reading “From the Archives: The Eight Purposes of Courts”
Understanding the 36th Emergency Order
TMCEC General Counsel Mark Goodner and Deputy Counsel Robby Chapman discuss The Supreme Court’s 36th Emergency Order and the OCA webinar offered on the topic on March 8, 2021. MG: In the wake of the Governor’s order last week, The Supreme Court issued the 36th Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster on Friday,Continue reading “Understanding the 36th Emergency Order”
TMCEC Unveils New and Improved Website
Mark Goodner, TMCEC General Counsel and Director of Education, sat down with Regan Metteauer, TMCEC Deputy Director, and Patty Thamez, TMCEC Information Technology & Operations Specialist, to discuss TMCEC’s new website design. MG: March 1, 2021 marked the unveiling of TMCEC’s new website. I love the new look and organization of it, and I’ve heardContinue reading “TMCEC Unveils New and Improved Website”
Court Guidance After Governor Abbott Lifts Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions
Governor Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-34 yesterday (March 2, 2021) relating to the COVID-19 disaster. For many court personnel, the new order raised questions about the effect, if any, on court operations. Thankfully, the Office of Court Administration quickly sent out COVID Update #20. If you did not receive it, I have pasted theContinue reading “Court Guidance After Governor Abbott Lifts Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions”
TMCEC Announces All Virtual Training Through July 31, 2021
Mark Goodner, TMCEC General Counsel and Director of Education, sat down with Ryan Turner, TMCEC Executive Director, to discuss the rest of the TMCEC’s Academic Year. MG: Good afternoon, Ryan. Last week, you announced to all of our constituent groups that there will be no in-person training from TMCEC through at least July 31, 2021.Continue reading “TMCEC Announces All Virtual Training Through July 31, 2021”
Local Health Authorities
Texas municipal court personnel have spent nearly a year in some form of modified operations since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold around the world. Courts planning to commence in-person proceedings must first submit an operating plan (and a plan for recertification) to the Regional Presiding Judge. Presiding judges of a municipal court must, as partContinue reading “Local Health Authorities”
OCA Update Amidst Historic Winter Storm
As Texas struggles to safely emerge from an historic winter storm, we know many of you are dealing with significant challenges. On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, David Slayton, Administrative Director of the Courts with the Office of Court Administration sent the following update. We are posting here in case you did not receive it. StayContinue reading “OCA Update Amidst Historic Winter Storm”
Full Court Press 