Latest News and Updates

Texas Courts Online

OCA signs new Electronic Filing Agreement with Tyler Technologies

OCA announces a new eFiling partner to replace the existing system. See the press release and background for more information.

Texas Judicial Report

The Texas Judicial Council and the Office of Court Administration have published the Texas Judicial Report. The report details bills of interest to the judicial branch that were passed by the 83rd Legislature.

Permanent Jury Exemption Form Based on Age

OCA has prepared a new form that can be completed by a person over 70 years of age who wishes to claim a permanent exemption from jury service. Use of this form is not required, but the form may be useful.

Bill of Costs – Direction and Advice to Clerks

The Office of Court Administration has published an article advising clerks on the bill of costs in criminal cases.

2011 Annual Report for the Texas Judiciary Released

The Office of Court Administration and Texas Judicial Council have released the 2011 Annual Report for the Texas Judiciary, which provides synopses and highlights of court activity. Due to budget constraints, the report was not printed this year.   [03/29/12]

County Clerk Manual

The Office of Court Administration has recently updated the County Clerk Manual, a reference guide covering the duties, responsibilities and procedures of Texas County Clerks. The 2012 edition provides updates which include changes made during the 2009 and 2011 legislative sessions.   [05/22/13]

District Clerk Manual

The Office of Court Administration has recently updated the District Clerk Manual, a reference guide covering the duties, responsibilities and procedures of Texas District Clerks. The revised version includes statutory changes made during the 82nd Legislature.   [02/03/12]

Summary of Court Security Incident Reports for FY 2011

The Office of Court Administration has released the Summary of Court Security Incident Reports received from Texas trial courts for FY 2011. Art. 102.017(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, requires the local administrative judge in each county to submit to the Office of Court Administration a written report regarding any security incident involving court security that occurs in or around a building housing a court for which the judge serves as local administrative judge.   [01/31/12]

School Discipline

The Judicial Council Juvenile Justice Committee has an inaugural meeting on Feb. 2, 2102. The Committee is charged to: Assess the impact of school discipline and school-based policing on referrals to the municipal, justice, and juvenile courts and identify judicial policies or initiatives that: work to reduce referrals without having a negative impact on school safety; limit recidivism; and preserve judicial resources for students who are in need of this type of intervention. [Meeting Agenda]   [01/25/12]

Report on Judicial Salaries and Turnover

The Office of Court Administration has released the Report on Judicial Salaries and Turnover for FYs 2010 and 2011. The 79th Texas Legislature charged OCA with producing a biennial report that includes information on: 1) the rate at which state judges resign from office or do not seek re-election, as well as the reason for these actions; 2) whether the compensation of state judges exceeds, is equal to, or is less than the compensation of judges at corresponding levels in the five states in population to Texas; and 3) whether the compensation of state judges exceeds, is equal to, or is less than the average salary of lawyers engaged in the private practice of law.   [01/13/12]

State Jail Diligent Participation

State Jail Diligent Participation: In order to provide an incentive for state jail felons to participate in rehabilitation, in accordance with HB 2649 from the 82nd Legislature, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice will provide a progress report to the sentencing judge, which will include information such as name, date of birth, offense, sentence begin date, current discharge date, and diligent participation days. TDCJ's website has the following page with discussion and a link to further instructions: http://tdcj.state.tx.us/divisions/cid/cid_support_ops_class_HB2649.html   [01/03/12]

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Updated: 08-Aug-2013