TMCEC - Programs

The Texas Municipal Courts Education Center is the primary provider of specialized judicial education and training opportunities for Texas municipal judges. The staff of TMCEC is steadfastly committed to providing education and training so that municipal judges may administer justice with fairness, efficiency and a thorough understanding of the law.

According to the Rules of Judicial Education, all municipal judges (both attorney and non-attorney) must attend one accredited judicial education program every year. Newly appointed or elected attorney judges must attend a 12-hour seminar within one year from appointment or election and once every academic year thereafter. To qualify as an attorney judge, you must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas. Newly appointed or elected non-attorney judges must, within one year from the date of appointment or election, complete 32 hours of continuing judicial education before attending a 12 hour seminar the next year and once every school year thereafter.

32-Hour New Judge Seminar $50 AUSTIN

New non-attorney judges must attend 32 hours of judicial training within one year of their appointment or election according to the Rules of Judicial Education. Admission is limited to new, non-attorney judges. Non-lawyer municipal judges who have been inactive for more than two consecutive academic years are required to repeat the 32-hour program. Participants must be appointed or elected to office prior to registration.

The program offers classes on basic court procedures, judicial ethics, juvenile law, magistration, traffic law, a trial skills workshop, and much more. This program gives new judges an excellent foundation of knowledge to build upon and a thorough understanding of the laws affecting their courts. Register now.

December 3-7, 2007

Omni Hotel Southpark
Austin

Registration has passed

July 7-11, 2008

Doubletree Hotel

Austin

Note: New judges seminars are five days in length and begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday and conclude at 12:00 noon on Friday. TMCEC will pay for sleeping rooms for the nights of Monday through Thursday.

12-Hour Judge's Seminar $50 REGIONAL

For all attorney judges and non-attorney judges who have previously completed the 32-hour seminar, the 12-hour regional judges seminar is designed to address a broad range of issues applicable to courts of all sizes. The regional programs feature breakout sessions addressing issues such as specialized evidentiary issues, procedural law topics, and substantive law issues relevant to the courts. An optional pre-conference, Court Security, will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on the daybefore each of the 12-hour regional conferences. This allows for participants’ registration fees and travel to be paid for by local security funds. Register now.

Oct. 8-10, 2007 Holiday Inn Select Tyler Registration over	Jan. 14-16, 2008 Omni Hotel San Antonio Registration over	Feb. 24-26, 2008 San Luis Resort Galveston Register by: 1/24/08	Apr. 8-10, 2008 Holiday Inn Park Lubbock Register by: 3/8/08	May 6-8, 2008 Radisson Resort South Padre Is. Register by: 4/6/08
Nov. 14-16, 2007 Omni Southpark Austin Registration over	Feb. 3-5, 2008 Doral Tesoro Fort Worth Registration over	Mar. 16-18, 2008 Omni Hotel Houston Register by: 2/16/08	May 4-6, 2008 Radisson Resort South Padre Is. Register by: 4/4/08	Jun. 18-20, 2008 Camino Real El Paso Register by: 5/18/08

The Judge's 12-hour programs (with the exception of the Low Volume Court Series) are submitted to the State Bar of Texas for MCLE credit. Attorney judges may receive a judicial exemption from their 15 hours of MCLE requirement. All TMCEC 12-hour seminars will be submitted to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for credit towards continuing legal education requirements for certification and re-certification in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law. All information and forms for claiming credit will be given to each attorney judge towards the conclusion of the seminar. Attorneys will be charged a $100 MCLE fee if they seek MCLE credit and will be offered a 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. optional session to obtain the full 12 hours of MCLE credit.

Special Topic: Traffic Safety Conference $50 IRVING

TMCEC will be offering a 14.5 hour, three-day Traffic Safety Conference in cooperation with TxDOT for municipal judges, clerks, and city officials. The preliminary agenda includes topics such as Booster Seats& Child Safety Seats, OmniBase & Scofflaw Programs, DUI, Points & Surcharges, and much more. Register now.

May 21-23, 2008

Omni Hotel at Los Colinas

Irving

How Can You Get Most of Your Expenses Covered? 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 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, contact Lisa Robinson, TxDOT Grant Administrator, at 800.252.3718 or robinson@tmcec.com.

Low Volume Judges' & Clerks' Seminar $50 REGIONAL

Low Volume Court Seminars are specially designed for issues and porblems commonly experienced in smaller courts, and is limited to non-attorney judges only. This year, they will focus on the application of state and federal constitutional law. The seminar will include a brief legislative update. Clerks are encouraged to attend with their judges. Class sizes will not exceed 40 participants, so register early and plan on participating!

March 24-26, 2008

Omni Bayfront Hotel

Corpus Christi

April 13-15, 2008

Marriott Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay