Although annual education of municipal court clerks is not required, the Texas Legislature, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Texas Municipal Courts Association recognize the importance of training and allocating funds for that purpose. Clerks participating in the Municipal Clerk Certification Program are encouraged to apply for a TCCA scholarship that provides funding for supplemental education to further professional growth.  

24-Hour New Clerk Boot Camp                                $200                                     AUSTIN

New clerks and clerks who have never attended TMCEC conferences should first attend a 24-hour school. This seminar offers classes on basic court procedures along every step of the process from the filing of a complaint to collections.  It provides new clerks with a foundation of knowledge to build upon while addressing common roadblocks that cause problems with effectiveness and accuracy.  Register now.

Note: New clerk "Boot Camp" seminars are four days in length and begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday and conclude at 12:00 noon on Thursday. TMCEC will pay for sleeping rooms for the nights of Monday through Wednesday. 

Level III Assessment Clinic                                     $100                                 AUSTIN

To be certified at Level III, clerks and court administrators must attend a three-day Assessment Clinic sponsored by TMCEC. The Clinic is a workshop emphasizing the development and practice of court management and human resource skills. The purpose of the Clinic is to help clerks gain confidence in their management skills and to become better prepared to provide efficient and effective oversight of court operations. The program usually has 20 or fewer registered participants and interaction is emphasized. Participants are encouraged to make self-assessments of their own management and human resources skills. it is necessary to be Level II Certified and to have completed a majority of the readings. Register now.

January 23-26, 2012 Doubletree Hotel

Austin, Texas

CoLoGo                                                                                      SAN MARCOS

The 9th Annual Courts and Local Government Technology Conference provides technology education specific to Texas courts and county and city governments. If you are in charge of the technical strategic direction for your court, county, or city, or are involved in making technology processes work, this is the one conference you can't afford to miss. Join your peers for sessions on social media and the future of the courts, options in cloud computing, technology and the law, following data trails, how technology can help transparency, video magistration, and more. Choose from three education tracks on day one and targeted general sessions for the remainder of the conference. Discuss new technologies that work, don't work, or are in the works for courts and local governments. 

January 31-February 2, 2012

Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center

San Marcos, Texas

Court Administrator Seminar                                  $100                                AUSTIN

This seminar is designed for and integrated into the third and final level of the Court Clerks Certification Program. Becoming a Certified Municipal Court Clerk requires the leadership skills of the court administrator.  This program focuses on developing the court administrator as a manager and supervisor and provides an overall picture of Texas municipal courts and their administration. The seminar is open to court administrators or anyone seeking designation as a Certified Municipal Court Clerk.  Register now.

Regional Clerks Seminar                                     $50                                    REGIONAL

TMCEC offers a 12 hour Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives Conference in cooperation with TxDOT for municipal judges, clerks, and city officials.  Agenda topics include: Risk Perception Behind the Wheel, Traffic Safety and Transportation Related Case Law Update, DUI, DWI, Drug Impaired Driving, Driver's License Laws and Offenses, Insurance Laws and Offenses, Pedestrian and Bicycle Laws, Motorcycle Laws, Passenger Restraint Laws and Debates, Speed Limits, CDL Masking, Federal Motor Carrier Act Violations, Laws for Minor Drivers, Technologies to Enhance Traffic Safety, and Distracted Driving. To see the brochure and registration form click here.

Clerks can attend an optional pre-conference session on the first day of the conference on Juveniles Behind the Wheel: Tools for Reaching Young Drivers, which will include sessions on Distracted Driving for Teens, Teens and Trucks: Sharing the Road, and Setting Up a Mock-Trial. There is no additional cost to attend the pre-conference.

Traffic Safety Award recipients will be recognized at the conference and receive complimentary conference registration, travel to and from the conference to include airfare or mileage that is within state guidelines, two nights at the beautiful Omni Hotel, and most meals and refreshments. To find out how your court can be selected to receive this honor next year, contact Lisa Robinson, TxDOT Grant Administrator, at 800.252.3718 or robinson@tmcec.com. 

Waiver of Registration Fees

If an individual, city, or court is unable to pay the registration fee, please write a letter explaining the financial difficulty to the Board of Directors for consideration 45 days prior to the event. Address your letter to TMCEC Board of Directors, c/o Hope Lochridge, Executive Director, 1609 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 302, Austin, Texas 78701.