The Waiver Process
If a judge is unable to attend the mandatory 12 hours of judicial education within the academic year (September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010), he or she may
request a waiver from the Municipal Courts Education Committee. The Committee typically reviews requests for waivers in September after the end of the academic year. If an emergency situation has occurred and is well documented in the request for a waiver, the Committee may grant a conditional waiver that will require the judge to attend two conferences (one at his or her own expense) in the next year.
1 Only in rare cases is an unconditional waiver granted. More often, waivers are denied. If a waiver is denied, the judge's name is sent to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. It is highly recommended that judges not wait until the summer to attend a judicial education program. With 10 regional programs and a Traffic Safety Conference being held this year, it is unlikely that the Committee will view requests for either unconditional or conditional waivers with any leniency.
1 - The grant only provides sufficient funding for judges and clerks to attend one TMCEC program a year. Judges and clerks may attend a second TMCEC program at their own expense. There is NO LONGER an exception to this policy for judges who serve as their own clerks (and do not have deputy clerks). They may attend a regional clerk program in the same year at their own expense if space permits. The cost of a conference (housing, meals, and course materials) paid by the grant is typically at least $300 a person at each regional conference.
