Annual Reports of the Judicial Support Agencies
1999 Fiscal Year
Activities, Accomplishments, Recommendations
Texas Judicial Council
Office of Court Administration
Judicial Committee on Information Technology
Introduction to the Reports
The three agencies most responsible for supporting and representing the Texas Judicial System are the Texas Judicial Council, the Office of Court Administration, and the Judicial Committee on Information Technology.
The 22-member Texas Judicial Council is composed of appointees of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Governor of Texas, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House. As appointees of the judicial, executive, and legislative branches of government, the Council is the most representative body responsible for studying and recommending changes to the current and future state of the judiciary and the delivery of justice in the state. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals respectively serve as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Council.
The annual report of the Texas Judicial Council is included below. The statutory provisions for the Council, Chapter 71 of the Texas Government Code, are included in the section titled Enabling Legislation for the Three Judicial Support Agencies.
The staff of the Office of Court Administration, currently numbering approximately 43 full-time equivalents, provides administrative support and technical assistance to the Texas Judicial Council, the Judicial Committee on Information Technology, other judicial boards and commissions, and all courts of the state. Acting under the direction and supervision of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice, and managed by an Administrative Director, the Office of Court Administration conducts research and studies as well as provides management and technical assistance to provide uniform administration of the courts and efficient administration of justice throughout the state judicial system.
The 15-member Judicial Committee on Information Technology is charged with developing and overseeing the design and implementation of a coordinated statewide computer communication network and comprehensive justice information system. Established in 1997 by the 75th Texas Legislature, the committee is appointed by and operates under the direction and supervision of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The annual report of the activities of the Judicial Committee on Information Technology is included below. The statutory provisions for the Committee, Chapter 77 of the Texas Government Code, are included in the section titled Enabling Legislation for the Three Judicial Support Agencies.
1998-1999 REPORT OF ACTIVITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
I. INTRODUCTION
In 1997, the 75th Legislature passed House Bill 2297 which restructured the membership of the Council and placed it under the direct supervision of the Chief Justice. These changes, along with legislative appropriations for the hiring of two full-time staff persons, have substantially improved the Council's ability to address the most pressing issues facing Texas' judicial system.
This report discusses the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Texas Judicial Council since December 1, 1998. In addition, the Texas Judicial Council's 71st Annual Report on the Texas Judicial System, which is published by the Office of Court Administration, will be available in January 2000.
II. DUTIES, MEMBERSHIP, AND MEETINGS
(1) continuously study the organization, rules, procedures and practice, work accomplished, results,
and uniformity of the discretionary powers of the state courts and methods for their improvement;
(2) receive and consider advice from judges, public officials, members of the Bar, and citizens concerning remedies for faults in the administration of justice;
(3) design methods for simplifying judicial procedure, expediting the transaction of judicial business, and correcting faults in the administration of justice;
(5) investigate and report on matters concerning the administration of justice that the Supreme Court or the Legislature refers to the Council; and
(6) gather judicial statistics and other pertinent information from the several state judges and other court officials of the state.
B. Membership. The Council consists of 22 members. Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips serve ex officio as chair, and Presiding Judge Michael J. McCormick of the Court of Criminal Appeals serves ex officio as vice-chair. Chief Justice Phillips has appointed the following judges to serve on the Council:
Chief Justice John H. Cayce (2nd Court of Appeals);
Judge Jim Parsons (3rd Judicial District);
Judge David Peeples (224th District Court);
Judge Martin Chiuminatto, Jr. (Kleberg County Court-at-Law);
Judge Mike Wood (Harris County Probate Court No. 2);
Judge David Patronella (Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Harris County);
Judge Penny L. Pope (Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Galveston County);
Judge Stella Ortiz-Kyle (Presiding Judge, City of San Antonio, Municipal Court); and
Judge Robin Smith (Presiding Judge, City of Midland, Municipal Court).
Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry appointed Senator Rodney Ellis of Houston (serving in his capacity as chair of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee) and Senator Robert Duncan of Lubbock to the Council. Speaker Pete Laney appointed Representative Senfronia Thompson of Houston (serving in her capacity as chair of the House Committee on Judicial Affairs) and Representative Pete Gallego of Alpine to represent the Texas House of Representatives on the Council.
Mr. James Boswell (Plano);
Mr. James R. Brickman (Dallas);
Mr. Joseph A. Callier, Esq. (Houston);
Mr. Kathleen Cardone, Esq. (El Paso);
Mr. Diego Pena, Esq. (San Antonio); and
Ms. Sharon Warfield Wilkes (Bastrop).
C. Meetings. The Council has met three times since December 1, 1998 (2):
January 7, 1999 (Austin)
March 11, 1999 (Austin)
August 25, 1999 (Austin)
III. 1998-1999 COUNCIL ACTIVITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Submission of legislative recommendations to the 76th Legislature. Most of the Council's activities this past year involved providing information and assistance to the 76th Legislature about the Council's recommendations and other issues affecting the Texas Judicial System. Each Council recommendation was developed in a public forum, with input from citizens and interested parties. Below is a summary of the Council's recommendations that were filed as legislation during the 76th Legislature in its 1999 Regular Session.
1. Juvenile laws for justice and municipal courts. In December 1998, the Council's Committee on Juvenile Justice Reform/Impact on the Courts submitted its final report and recommendations for improving the administration of juvenile justice in the municipal and justice courts to the Council. (3) These recommendations, which were adopted by the Council at its January 1999 meeting, were filed as HB 688 (4). HB 688 was passed by Legislature, signed by the Governor, and became effective on September 1, 1999.
2. Storage and retention of appellate court records. In December 1998, the Committee on the Storage and Retention of Appellate Records recommended that the retention and storage periods for records in certain civil and criminal cases be reduced. These recommendations were adopted by the Council at its January 1999 meeting and were filed as SB 469. (5) SB 469 was passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor, and became effective on September 1, 1999.
3. Visiting judges' program. In November 1998, the Committee on Visiting and Retired Judges submitted several legislative proposals for improving the visiting judges' program to the Council. At its November meeting, the Council agreed to submit the committee's recommendations to the 76th Legislature. Those recommendations, which were filed as SB 263, were passed by the Senate and died in House committee. (6)
4. Judicial Districts Board. In January 1999, the Council agreed to submit to the 76th Legislature the recommendations of the Committee on Judicial Redistricting that the Judicial Districts Board be abolished. That recommendation, which was filed as SB 412/SJR 20, was passed by the Senate and died in House committee. (7)
B. Submission of proposed rules to the Supreme Court of Texas. In January 1999, the Council submitted two proposed rule changes to the Supreme Court. These changes, which were developed by the Committee on Visiting and Retired Judges, were intended to assist the presiding judges of the nine judicial administrative regions in their oversight of the visiting judges' program. The first proposal would amend Rule 5, Rules of Judicial Administration, to expressly require that the presiding judge periodically monitor and evaluate the performance of visiting judges. (8) The second proposal would establish a peer review system to evaluate the performance of visiting judges biennially. (9)
C. Directives from the 76th Legislature.
1. Judicial Performance Measures. In January 1997, the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency recommended that Texas courts "establish, adopt, and regularly report uniform measures and standards of performance." (10) As a result of that recommendation, the 75th Legislature enacted several provisions to facilitate the collection of data relating to the performance of appellate and district courts. (11) In 1999, the 76th Legislature approved appropriation riders to HB 1 (General Appropriations Act, 2000-01 Biennium) which require the Office of Court Administration and the Texas Judicial Council to develop performance measures for the appellate and district courts of Texas. (12) At its August 1999 meeting, the Council created the Committee on Judicial Performance Measures and asked the Committee to work with the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas, the presiding judges of the nine judicial administrative regions, and the district and county clerks in developing proposed measures under the rider. The Committee held its first meeting on November 15, 1999.
2. Student Loan Repayment Program. The 76th Legislature appropriated funds by rider to the Texas Judicial Council to establish a student loan repayment program for those who accept clerkships or temporary attorney positions in the courts. (13) The rider, which follows the recommendations of the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency (14), allocates $255,763 for each fiscal year of the biennium (for a total of $511,526) to the program. The Committee on Judicial Law Clerk Recruitment, with assistance from each of the state's law schools, the staff of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Judiciary, and members of the Bar, is developing procedures for the administration of the program.
3. Judicial Internship Program. In addition to funding a student loan repayment program, HB 1 (General Appropriations Act, 2000-2001Biennium) also states that:
"It is the intent of the Legislature that the Judicial Branch cooperate with law schools to establish a judicial internship program for Texas appellate and trial courts. The Judicial Branch is encouraged to work with the Judicial Council in the development of the judicial internship program (15)."
In July 1999, the Committee on Judicial Law Clerk Recruitment, in cooperation with each of the state's law schools and members of the Judiciary, approved preliminary recommendations to assist the Judicial Branch in developing a program. The Committee will present its final recommendations to the Texas Judicial Council early next year.
4. Media Pooling in Texas courts. The 76th Legislature also passed SCR 23 which requires the Office of Court Administration "to study and develop uniform guidelines for media pooling agreements for courtroom coverage" and to "solicit and consider the opinions and advice of the Judiciary in developing the uniform guidelines." (16) At the request of the Office of Court Administration, the Council has created the Committee on Media and the Courts which consists of judges from the trial and appellate courts, and an attorney who specializes in media law. The Committee held its first meeting on November 4, 1999.
5. Jury Service. SCR 15, which is derived from the recommendations of the Supreme Court of Texas Jury Task Force, directs the Judicial Council to "examine the costs of increasing reimbursement of expenses to jurors to $40 after the first day of trial and to examine the feasibility of allowing counties to offer other incentives to jurors for service. (17)" The Council will begin its work during the year 2000.
D. Directives from the Supreme Court of Texas. In October 1998, the Supreme Court of Texas created the Judicial Campaign Finance Study Committee and asked the Committee to "propose both rule and statutory changes to improve the way in which campaigns for the Texas judiciary are financed." (18) In February 1999, the Committee issued its final report and recommendations to the Supreme Court. The Court then held two public hearings with invited public testimony on the Committee's report. As part of its disposition of the Committee's recommendations, the Court directed the Texas Judicial Council to do the following:
(1) review the Judicial Campaign Finance Study Committee's recommendation that limits be placed on the amount of campaign funds that judges can retain between elections and determine whether legislative changes or amendments to the Code of Judicial Conduct are necessary to address this recommendation;
(2) review the Judicial Campaign Finance Study Committee's recommendation that limits be placed on judges' use of political contributions to make donations to political organizations and determine whether legislative changes or amendments to the Code of Judicial Conduct are needed to address this recommendation; and
(3) review the Judicial Campaign Finance Study Committee's recommendation that voter guides be developed to inform the public about judicial candidates. Also, study H.B. 59 as passed by the 76th Legislature, the Governor's veto message to H.B. 59, and similar efforts in other states to inform voters about judicial candidates. Determine whether legislative changes or amendments to the Code of Judicial Conduct are needed to address this recommendation. (19)
In August 1999, the Council created the Committee on Judicial Campaign Finance to study the issues outlined in the Court's directive and to develop recommendations for consideration by the full Council. The Committee on Judicial Campaign Finance will commence its work in the year 2000.
E. Other Council Activities
1. Strategic Planning. In 1996, the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency found that the "Judicial Branch currently lacks any permanent, coordinated process for long-range planning." (20) As a result of this finding, the Commission recommended that a strategic planning function be established as an arm of the Office of Court Administration operated under the direction of the Texas Judicial Council. (21) To support that process, the Council in September 1998 established the Committee on Strategic Planning and asked the Committee to examine the strategic planning efforts of other states and to develop recommendations for a strategic plan for the Texas Judicial Branch. (22) The Committee began its work in February 1999 and gave preliminary approval to a strategic plan for the Texas Judicial Council. After the development and approval of a strategic plan for the Council and in accordance with the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency's recommendations, the Committee will develop and propose a strategic plan for the Judicial Branch. The Committee will seek input from the Judiciary, the Legislature, the bar, court personnel, and judicial agencies as part of the planning process. (23)
2. 71st Annual Report of the Texas Judicial Council. As previously noted in this report, the Texas Judicial Council's 71st Annual Report on the Texas Judicial System, which is published by the Office of Court Administration, will be available in January 2000. The Council's annual report has historically been a valuable source of judicial information for courts, government agencies, legislators, and the public. In addition to containing judicial statistics and useful information about the structure, jurisdiction, and administration of Texas courts, the 71st Annual Report will discuss the activities of the Texas Judicial Council, the Judicial Committee on Information Technology, and the Office of Court Administration.
Annual Report of the
Office of Court Administration
1999 Fiscal Year
The Office of Court Administration was created in 1977 by the 65th Legislature to provide support and technical assistance to Texas courts at all levels, thereby providing the public access to a judicial system that is efficient and just.
In an effort to better address several critical needs -- both current and emerging -- of the courts, the 75th Legislature delegated to the Office of Court Administration new responsibilities and resources to upgrade and expand its services supporting all levels of the judiciary in Texas. An agency reorganization with both new and expanded departments was implemented to assist the courts of the state in functioning more efficiently and effectively. Research and Court Services, Help Desk, and Judicial Planning departments were created and staffed, and new resources were used to enhance the performance of the departments already in place at the agency such as Technology Services, Legal Counsel, Judicial Information, and the Finance and Operations departments.
The agency modified its Mission Statement, first adopted in 1996, to reflect the new vision of its leadership as well as the new responsibilities adopted by the Legislature. The following is the Mission Statement of the Office of Court Administration that went into effect during the 1998-99 biennium:
The Office will provide Leadership by facilitating the development and implementation of policies which enhance the Texas Judicial System, fostering court adaptation to future changes, securing sufficient resources for state and local courts, strengthening the leadership role of the courts, providing innovative models of the organization and administration of the courts, and encouraging collaboration with and within state courts.
The Office will provide Service by offering technical assistance, promoting knowledge, informing, educating, and generally supporting courts and judicial organizations.
The agency established an internal strategic planning process to ensure that its goals and objectives are relevant to the judicial community. To this end, it periodically communicates with judicial officers, judicial personnel, and related organizations. During 1999, the Office of Court Administration adopted a priority initiative to improve the processes and protocol for communications among all entities and organizations within the judiciary. That initiative will continue into the year 2000.
The following is a brief synopsis of the duties and activities of each department at the Office of Court Administration.
Departments:
A. Research and Court Services. The Research and Court Services Department serves as a resource for the courts in key areas of judicial administration. The department provides consultation on recommended best practices in administrative operations, it works to establish innovative court programs, and it serves to increase public accessibility to the courts. Also, the Department's Collections Unit helps develop and implement programs designed to increase the collection of fines and court costs. An expanded discussion of the activities and accomplishments of the Research and Court Services Department is included in Section III below.
C. Judicial Planning. The Judicial Planning Department directs strategic and long range planning for the Texas Judicial System. It provides staff support for the Texas Judicial Council in its effort to study the organization and work accomplished by the state's courts and methods for their improvement. The department consults with all levels of courts and the other branches of government to evaluate the effectiveness of planning and operational strategies. A more comprehensive presentation of the work products of the Judicial Planning Department is included in the annual report of the Texas Judicial Council.
D. Technology Services. The Technology Services Department develops case management software systems and designs/maintains computer network hardware and software for the Texas Judiciary. It also serves as staff support for the Judicial Committee on Information Technology that is charged with the responsibility of developing and implementing a statewide computer communication network and a comprehensive judicial information system.
E. Legal Counsel. The Legal Counsel staff advises agency management and judicial officers on administrative issues and matters pertaining to employment law. The staff takes a leadership role in identifying legal issues that may affect the agency or courts. The department serves as counsel to the Council of Chief Justices and to the presiding judges of the administrative judicial regions, and provides training to judges and clerks on relevant matters of law. It also assists the presiding judges in administering the Title IV-D Masters Program for child support cases, as well as drafts procedures manuals for court clerks and produces the Judicial Services Handbook.
F. Judicial Information. The Judicial Information Department collects and analyzes information related to the courts activities throughout the state. The statistics are collected in a manner that focuses on significant issues and accomplishments in the judicial arena, and is used for identifying opportunities for improvement in the judicial system. The department is chiefly responsible for the publication of the Texas Judicial System Directory and the Texas Judicial System Annual Report.
G. Finance and Operations. The Finance and Operations Department provides technical assistance to appellate courts and other judicial entities in their business operations. The department also provides administrative, human resources, accounting and budgetary support to agency management and employees, as well as to other judicial boards and commissions.
During fiscal year 1999, the Department's activities included the development and continuation of numerous programs and projects designed with the purpose of increasing the collection of fines and court costs, improving the administrative operation of the courts, and increasing the public's accessibility to the courts. The highlights of the programs and projects of the Research and Court Services Department are as follows:
A. Collections Improvement Project. Assisted Bexar, Hidalgo, and Tom Green counties in implementing OCA's model collections programs in the county-level courts. In addition, the project provides technical assistance to the fine collections programs in Brazoria, Brazos, Cameron, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Galveston, Harris, Harrison, Kerr, Montgomery, Nueces, and San Patricio counties, including assisting Dallas, El Paso, Galveston, and Montgomery counties in expanding their collections programs to either the district courts or to the justice courts.
B. Rural Court Delay Reduction Program. Obtained a $123,955 Anti-Drug Abuse Act grant to continue a rural court delay reduction program for a second year. The program is implemented in six district courts that serve a total of 18 counties. It provides trained court coordinators to assist judges in drug and criminal case management through the use of OCA's case management software and the implementation of innovative case management techniques, including differentiated case management. The participating counties and OCA agreed to provide a cash match of $45,266, resulting in a total project cost of $169,221. The grant period is June 1, 1999 through May 31, 2000.
C. Case Management Review of Lubbock County Courts. Conducted a case management review of six district courts and three county courts at law in Lubbock County in order to gain an understanding of the manner in which cases were processed. During the period April-November 1999, OCA gathered statistical and other information, performed site visits to interview participants involved in processing cases, and analyzed the information collected to identify opportunities for improvement in the case management system. A final report of findings and recommendations was released in December of 1999.
D. Differentiated Case Management for the Improvement of Civil Case Processing in the Trial Courts of Texas. Obtained a $25,000 grant from the State Justice Institute to hire a consultant to conduct, with the assistance of OCA staff, an in-depth analysis of the civil case management systems of certain courts in Travis, Dallas, and Gregg counties. The project is to recommend systemic changes based on differentiated case management principles which will lead to the creation of a more efficient system in the respective courts that is based on differentiated case management principles. The grant period is August 2, 1999 through July 31, 2000.
E. Juvenile Law Referees. Obtained a $152,840 Juvenile Justice Accountability Incentive Block Grant with the purpose of holding juvenile offenders more accountable for their actions by providing additional judicial officers and support staff to efficiently and effectively process the large volume of juvenile cases in Hidalgo and Bexar counties. The participating counties agreed to provide a cash match of $101,226, resulting in a total project cost of $254,066. The grant period is July 1, 1999 through July 31, 2000.
F. Study of the Public's Trust and Confidence in the Courts and the Legal Profession in Texas. Obtained a $28,458 grant from the State Justice Institute to conduct a comprehensive study of trust and confidence in the courts and the legal profession in Texas. The first phase of the study consisted of a telephone survey of the general public concerning their attitudes about the Texas courts and the legal profession. The final report on the telephone survey findings was published in December 1998. The second phase of the study consisted of mail surveys of judges, court personnel, and lawyers to determine their respective views of the justice system. The final report on the findings of the three mail surveys was published in May 1999. The results of the two phases of the study together will assist judicial leaders and policymakers in developing strategies to improve the public's confidence in the courts and the legal profession in Texas. The study was conducted jointly by the OCA, the State Bar, and the Supreme Court of Texas. The grant period was July 15, 1998 through June 30, 1999.
G. Bench Book for the Rights of Victims of Crime in Texas. Received a $47,417 grant from the Office of the Attorney General to provide the funding for a staff position designed to assist in drafting a bench book on crime victims' rights. When the bench book was published in August 1999, Texas became the first state to publish a comprehensive bench book on crime victim rights' for the benefit of its judges. The bench book was the result of a collaboration between the Texas Attorney General's Crime Victims' Compensation Division and OCA. The grant period was August 1, 1998 through August 31, 1999.
A comprehensive report on the Texas Judicial System has been compiled and published on an annual basis since 1929. The 1998 report contained 361 pages of case information and analysis of court activities in the State of Texas, as well as information regarding the Texas Judicial Council. OCA compiled and validated approximately 25,000 monthly reports on court activity in fiscal year 1998 to produce this annual report. The annual report includes information on the variances in subject-matter jurisdiction of Texas trial courts, the assignments of visiting judges by presiding judges of the nine Administrative Judicial Regions and a thorough, descriptive analysis of the judicial system. Approximately 2,400 copies of this report were distributed to judges, clerks, members of the legislature, state and federal agencies, criminal justice planning units, local officials, and libraries. The primary staff responsible for collecting court statistics throughout the year and for preparing the Annual Report is the Judicial Information Department.
Through a cooperative agreement with the Office of the Attorney General, OCA obtained state and federal funds to administer the Title IV-D child support master program in Texas. OCA paid the salaries and travel expenses of 40 masters and 40 administrative assistants throughout the state.
OCA also maintained an automated system to support the child support enforcement responsibilities of the presiding judges of the administrative judicial regions, the IV-D masters and the individual courts. The system is a case management program for all IV-D cases and enables the IV-D masters to communicate child support enforcement information between their offices and the presiding judges in their regions. OCA provided system training and technical assistance to the IV-D masters and their administrative assistants throughout the year.
Because state law imposes on the presiding judges of the administrative judicial regions various duties in connection with the IV-D master program, the judges entered into a separate cooperative agreement with the Office of the Attorney General to administer the Title IV-D master program. The presiding judges met as a board to administer the program eight times between September 1, 1998, and August 31, 1999. The Legal Counsel Department provided primary administrative support to the board.
The 75th Legislature enacted Government Code Sec. 72.042 requiring OCA to annually publish a report regarding the demographic profile of the judicial law clerks and attorneys employed by the courts of the state. OCA surveyed the state's appellate courts and the district courts of Bexar, Dallas, Harris, El Paso, Tarrant and Travis counties. The report required under Section 72.042 is included on page 44 of the 1999 annual report.
Additionally, OCA, in conjunction with the Texas Judicial Council's Committee for Recruitment of Court Clerks, is working to establish programs that will enhance the courts' recruitment efforts to encourage the employment of judicial law clerks and staff attorneys that reflect the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of this state.
The Legal Counsel and Judicial Planning departments provided primary staff support for this project .
The 76th Legislature appropriated funds to the Texas Judicial Council to establish a student loan repayment program for those who accept clerkships or temporary attorney positions in the courts. The appropriation follows the recommendations of the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency and allocates $255,763 for each fiscal year of the biennium to the program for a total of $511,526. The Committee on Judicial Law Clerk Recruitment, with assistance from each of the state's law schools, the staff of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Judiciary, and members of the Bar, is developing procedures for the administration of the program and will submit its final recommendations to the Council in December of 1999.
In addition to funding a student loan repayment program, the 2000-2001 biennium Appropriations Act also includes a provision which states:
"It is the intent of the Legislature that the Judicial Branch cooperate with law schools to establish a judicial internship program for Texas appellate and trial courts. The Judicial Branch is encouraged to work with the Judicial Council in the development of the judicial internship program."
In July 1999, the Committee on Judicial Law Clerk Recruitment, in cooperation with each of the state's law schools and members of the Judiciary, approved preliminary recommendations to assist the Judicial Branch in developing a program. The Committee will present its final recommendations to the Texas Judicial Council early in 2000.
The Help Desk conducts regular training seminars to train judges, clerks, and other court personnel in the use the OCA. Case Management software. Seminar participants include judges, clerks, court coordinators and administrators, technical support staff, auditors and others from the courts around the state that use OCA. Case Management programs.
During the year ended August 31, 1999, the Help Desk conducted 64 seminars with a total attendance of 492 persons, including appellate justices and judges, trial court judges, clerks, court coordinators, judge secretaries, county auditors, and IV-D assistants.
User manuals and training materials are provided by the Help Desk to complement the training courses.
District and County
Trial Court Case Management
Seminar Type
November 17, 1998 Orientation (Lubbock)
(Potter County)
November 17 - 18, 1998 Basic (Lubbock)
(Concho, Garza, Menard & Potter Counties)
November 19, 1998 Reports & Calendars (Lubbock)
(Dawson, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Haskell, Knox, Menard & Potter Counties)
November 20, 1998 Instruments (Lubbock)
(Dawson, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Haskell, Knox, Menard & Potter Counties)
March 3, 1999 Orientation
(Dimmit County)
March 3 - 4, 1999 Basic
(Dimmitt, Grimes & Hale Counties)
April 6 - 7, 1999 Test Site Training (Hartley)
(Hartley County)
May 13, 1999 Test Site Training (Matagorda)
(Matagorda County)
May 14, 1999 Test Site Training (Brazoria)
(Brazoria County)
May 27, 1999 Test Site Training (Navarro)
(Navarro County)
May 28, 1999 Test Site Training (Freestone)
(Freestone County)
June 7 - 8, 1999 Test Site Training (Upton)
(Upton County)
July 8 - 9, 1999 Basic
(Burleson & Val Verde Counties)
August 3 - 4, 1999 Test Site Training (Robertson)
(Robertson County)
August 9 - 11, 1999 Test Site Training (Crocket City)
(Houston County)
District and County
Collections Programs
May 5 - 6, 1999 Basic (San Antonio)
(Bexar County)
June 17, 1999 Basic (Bexar)
(Bexar County)
Justice of the Peace and Municipal
Case Management
September 16, 1998 Orientation
(Winters City; Runnels County)
September 16 - 18, 1998 Basic
(Smithville & Winters Cities; Burnet & Runnels Counties)
October 26, 1998 Orientation (Lubbock)
(Albany, Muleshoe & Tulia Cities; Crosby County)
October 26 - 28, 1998 Basic (Lubbock)
(Albany, Muleshoe, New Deal, Tulia, & Wink Cities)
October 29, 1998 Reports & Calendars (Lubbock)
(Clyde, Dumas, Muleshoe, New Deal, Petersburg, Wink, Winters & Wolfforth Cities; Hale,
Runnels & Shackelford Counties)
October 30, 1998 Instruments (Lubbock)
(Duams, Muleshoe, New Deal, Petersburg, Wink, Winters & Wolfforth Cities; Hale,
Runnels & Shackelford Counties)
November 2, 1998 Orientation
(Sundown & Wortham Cities)
November 2 - 4, 1998 Basic
(Hondo, Karnes City, Sundown, Tolar &Wortham Cities; Burleson County)
November 5, 1999 Reports & Calendars
(Edna, Karnes City, Tolar & Wortham Cities)
November 6, 1998 Instruments
(Edna, Reno, Tolar & Wortham Cities)
November 12 - 13, 1998 Refresher
(Franklin City; Llano & Nueces Counties)
December 8 - 10, 1998 Basic
(Brady, Bullard, Crandall, Fort Stockton, Grandview & Magnolia Cities)
January 18, 1999 Orientation
(Blanco City; Swisher & Wood Counties)
January 18 - 20, 1999 Basic
(Blanco, Celina, Irving & Orange Grove Cities; Jim Wells, Swisher & Wood Counties)
January 21, 1999 Reports
(Brady, Hondo, Irving & Junction Cities; Swisher & Wood Counties)
January 22, 1999 Instruments
(Brady, Irving & Junction Cities; Wood County)
January 25, 1999 Orientation
(Liberty County)
January 25 - 27, 1999 Basic
(Devine & Waelder Cities; Crockett & Liberty Counties)
February 9, 1999 Orientation
(Robinson & Shavano Park Cities)
February 9 - 11, 1999 Basic
(Albany, Dayton, Lavon, Morgan's Point Resort, Post, Robinson & Shavano Park Cities; Liberty County)
February 17, 1999 Refresher
(Junction City; Brazos & Wood Counties)
February 18, 1999 Reports & Calendars
(Robinson, Shavano Park & White Oak Cities; Goliad, Nueces & Wood Counties)
February 19, 1999 Basic
(Robinson, Shavano Park & White Oak Cities; Brazos, Nueces & Wood Counties)
February 24, 1999 Basic
(Kendleton, San Saba & Winters Cities; Matagorda County.)
March 10 - 12, 1999 Basic
(Gunter, Hutto & Quinlan Cities; Briscoe, Erath, Hansford, Moore & Wharton Counties)
March 23 - 24, 1999 Refresher (Lubbock)
(Denver City, Memphis, Muleshoe, Spearman & Winnsboro Cities; Carson County)
March 25, 1999 Reports and Calendars (Lubbock)
(Denver, Muleshoe, Spearman, Tulia & Winnsboro Cities; Hansford,
Lipscomb, Moore & Ochiltree Counties )
March 26, 1999 Instruments (Lubbock)
(Denver, Muleshoe, Tulia & Winnsboro Cities; Briscoe, Carson, Lipscomb,
Moore & Ochiltree Counties)
April 7, 1999 Reports and Calendars
(Junction & Morgan's Point Resort Cities; Nueces County)
April 8, 1999 Instruments
(Morgan's Point Resort City; Nueces County)
April 14 - 16, 1999 Basic
(Childress City; Calhoun, Falls & Wharton Counties)
May 18 - 20, 1999 Basic
(Bertram & Lott Cities)
June 2 - 4, 1999 Basic
(Crawford, DeLeon, Emory, Patton Village, Reklaw, Rosebud & Rusk Cities; Armstrong,
Calhoun, Cameron & Medina Counties)
June 30, 1999 Basic
(Robinson City)
July 6, 1999 Basic
(Garden Ridge City)
July 28 - 30, 1999 Basic
(Beasley, Gonzales & Shavano Park Cities; Nueces County)
August 3 - 5, 1999 Basic
(Atascosa & Falls Counties)
August 18 - 20, 1999 Basic
(Cameron County)
August 11, 1999 Reports and Calendars
(Clint, Combine, Devine & Rusk Cities; Falls, Lavaca & Nueces Counties)
August 12, 1999 Instruments
(Clint, Combine, Devine & Rusk Cities; Falls County)
Appellate Courts
January 7, 1999 Windows 95, Premise & Internet Research
(3rd Court of Appeals)
January 8, 1999 WordPerfect & Groupwise
(3rd Court of Appeals)
January 28, 1999 Windows 95, Premise & Internet Research
(Court of Criminal Appeals; 6th, 10th, 12th & 14th Courts of Appeals)
January 29, 1999 WordPerfect & Groupwise
(Court of Criminal Appeals; 6th, 10th, 13th & 14th Courts of Appeals)
February 2, 1999 Windows 95, Premise & Internet Research
(Court of Criminal Appeals; 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 13th & 14th Courts of Appeals)
February 3, 1999 WordPerfect & Groupwise
(Court of Criminal Appeals; 1st, 6th, 12th & 14th Courts of Appeals)
IV-D Master Courts
October 2, 1998 IV-D Case Management Software
(8th Administrative Judicial Region)
Judicial Committee on Information Technology
I. INTRODUCTION
Creation of the Committee and other charges included in Senate Bill 1417 were based on recommendations by
the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency, a body formed by the Legislature in 1995 to conduct a statewide,
comprehensive study of the Texas Judicial System. The Commission's Information Technology Task Force assessed
technology in state courts, and that assessment served as the basis for establishing state judicial technology goals and
elements of the agenda for reform. Recommended by the Commission and approved by the Legislature, Senate Bill 1417
created the Judicial Committee on Information Technology as the vehicle for that reform. More complete information
on the activities of the Committee are provided on its website, http://www.courts.state.tx.us/jcit/.
II. DUTIES, MEMBERSHIP, AND MEETINGS
A. Duties as Recommended by the Information Technology Task Force of the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency
1. Recommend minimum standards for e-mail, software (word processing, case management, etc.), information transfer, local area networks, Internet access, electronic data interchange (EDI), data dictionary and other technological needs of the judicial system.
2. Recommend standardized guidelines for moving to a user friendly electronic based document system, including the creation of documents, court filings and flow of information within the judicial system in electronic form.
3. Recommend minimum security guidelines for controlling access to and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of appropriate information.
4. Recommend minimum standards for paperless litigation.
5. Recommend guidelines for a State Judicial System Web Home Page.
6. Recommend minimum standards for a Court Intranet (a private and secure internal Court network that makes specific court information available only to the Court staff).
7. Recommend the necessary Court-related Statutes and Rules changes for the electronic filing of cases and supporting documents.
8. Recommend pilot programs to be funded in order to test and demonstrate the application of emerging technologies to the judicial system, such as video conferencing facilities, EDI application requirements, client/server information access applications and court room technologies.
9. Recommend priorities regarding funding for the various information technology needs of the judicial system.
B. Statutory Duties (Chapter 77.031, Texas Government Code)
1. Develop programs to implement the recommendations of the Information Technology Task Force of the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency;
2. Develop minimum standards for voice storage and retrieval services, including voice messaging and electronic mail services, local area networks, Internet access, electronic data interchange, data dictionaries, and other technological needs of the judicial system;
3. Develop a coordinated statewide computer and communication network that is capable of linking all courts in this state;
4. Encourage efficiency and planning coordination by researching the possible uses of existing computer and communication networks developed by other state agencies;
5. Develop minimum standards for an electronically based document system to provide for the flow of information within the judicial system in electronic form and recommend rules relating to the electronic filing of documents with courts;
6. Develop security guidelines for controlling access to and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information available in electronic form;
7. Develop a state judicial system web page for use on the Internet accessible to the public for a reasonable access fee set by the supreme court after consultation with the committee;
8. Develop minimum standards for an internal computer and communication network available only to court staff;
9. Recommend pilot programs relating to the testing and demonstration of new technologies as applied to the judicial system;
10. Recommend programs to provide training and technical assistance to users of the coordinated statewide computer and communication network;
11. Develop funding priorities regarding the various technological needs of the judicial system; and
12. Recommend distributions to courts from the judicial technology account in the judicial fund.
C. Membership. Pursuant to Section 77.011, Texas Government Code, the following persons are appointed members of the Judicial Committee on Information Technology, being "representative, but not limited to, appellate court judges, appellate court clerks, district court judges, county court judges, statutory probate judges, justices of the peace, municipal court judges, district attorneys, court reporters, court administrators, district or county clerks, members of the legislature, attorneys, and the general public."
The following members serve terms ending August 31, 2003:
Peter Vogel, Esq., Dallas
Dr. Don Hardcastle, Professor, Baylor University, Waco
Honorable David Hodges, Judge, McLennan County Court at Law, Waco
Honorable Marvin D. Mitchell, Potter County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Amarillo
Honorable Michael L. O'Neal, Presiding Judge, City of Dallas Municipal Court, Dallas
Judy D. Miller, Court Reporter, Tarrant County Criminal District Court Number 3, Fort Worth
Bob Wessels, Harris County Criminal Courts Administrator, Houston
Honorable Dianne Wilson, Fort Bend County Clerk, Richmond
The following members serve terms ending August 31, 2001:
Honorable Mark Whittington, Justice, 5th Court of Appeals, Dallas
Honorable Lamar McCorkle, Judge 133rd Judicial District, Houston
Honorable Jay Johnson, former Swisher County Judge, Austin
Honorable Jaime Esparza, District Attorney, 34th Judicial District, El Paso
Honorable Rodney G. Ellis, State Senator, Houston
Honorable Scott Hochberg, State Representative, Houston
Honorable Frank J. Sturzl, Executive Director, Texas Municipal League
Mr. Vogel serves as Chair, and Dr. Hardcastle as Vice-Chair, of the Committee
The following serve as non-voting liaison members, at the pleasure of the Chief Justice:
Hon. Nathan Hecht, Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, Austin
Hon. Sharon Keller, Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, Austin
John T. Adams, Clerk, Supreme Court of Texas, Austin
Troy Bennett, Clerk, Court of Criminal Appeals, Austin
November 13, 1998
January 15, 1999
April 9, 1999
August 27, 1999
Additionally, the following Subcommittees and working groups met in Austin and via telephonic
conference during FY1999
Appellate Court Technology Committee
Electronic Filing Subcommittee
Telecommunications Subcommittee
Training Subcommittee
Vendor Advisory Group
III. VISION, GOALS, AND STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
Improving the efficiency of judicial technology in Texas is challenging because the Texas court system is decentralized and each of Texas' 2,800 courts operates autonomously, as do the state's approximately 430 district and county clerks and approximately 325 district and county attorneys. Approximately 20,000 officers and staff comprise the Texas Judicial System. Currently some courts have adopted new information technology but an integrated system is not available for access to court data and documents within and across court jurisdictions.
1. Integrate government services via statewide information resources infrastructure
2. Adopt and apply information resources standards and guidelines
3. Enable sharing and interoperability through a common framework
4. Ensure that user needs drive the information technology efforts
If successfully accomplished, these goals will allow the realization of the Committee's vision that, in the new
environment, the integrated justice system will ensure that data related to a case or person flows logically from one
government entity to the next as the administration of that case or person proceeds. The system will speed the
administration of cases, limit redundant data entry, and limit data entry errors. The system will also help the state meet
the federal government's requirements for data sharing across states.
1. Provide universal access to information in a consistent manner across every court in the state
2. Move the courts to the mainstream of information technology to minimize support and training costs and maximize the massive investment made at all government levels
3. Eliminate the building of information "silos" in court information systems that service only a single executive branch function thereby increasing the effectiveness of the courts' process and data exchange in these important functions
4. Increase the compliance rate and effectiveness of the courts in the areas of data sharing and revenue collection
IV. ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The committee work is generally organized around statewide project initiatives and pilot projects. The statewide projects represent the major components of the information technology system being designed and developed by the committee.
The major statewide projects adopted by the Committee, including a brief description of each along with its accomplishments to date, are as follows.
Appellate Court Technology. The JCIT and OCA secured funds for the upgrade of the local area networks and internet access for the appellate courts. This project will be implemented in FY 2000. OCA completed the initial stage of the Appellate Courts' case management system for Windows. Installation of this version and completion of subsequent stages will be complete during FY 2000. OCA also implemented a video conferencing network for the 13th Court of Appeals for its locations in Corpus Christi and Edinburg.
Judicial Help Desk. The OCA Help Desk is responsible for the support of existing technology within the Texas courts. With the creation of the JCIT and the implementation of its projects and programs, the role of the Help Desk has significantly expanded. The Help Desk provides technical assistance to the courts (regarding hardware and software questions and training; primarily in the areas of OCA Case Management, Windows 95, word processing, E-mail, Internet browsers). The OCA Help Desk is staffed, trained, and providing better and more services to Texas courts. Additional funding was secured to provide increased services through an outsourcing initiative.
Judicial Information Management System (JIMS). The JCIT is charged with setting standards for the exchange of information among the courts and with other government and private entities. JIMS is a data standards and software development initiative for the trial and appellate courts. The purpose is to reconstruct OCA databases to capture case-level data from the courts swiftly and accurately. Two major goals are the development of data integration and interchange standards, and the development of uniform software application design standards.
OCA has developed a case management software package for the Appellate Courts. The core functionality of this system will be adapted for use by the trial courts.
OCA has participated in the National Consortium on State Court Automation Standards which has developed draft
standards for civil case management software systems. JCIT will consider these standards for adoption in FY 2000.
Standards for addition criminal, juvenile, family, and probate case management systems are being developed.
Judicial Internet Server. The Judicial Internet Server was established by OCA to be a central focus for information
for and about Texas courts. The website address is http://www.courts.state.tx.us/. In addition to features listed last year,
OCA has implemented a new electronic mail server that is capable of serving the entire Texas judicial system and begun
planning of a private intranet for the Texas judicial system. OCA has developed pilot programs for electronic legal
research.
OCA is developing a project to reduce the cost of electronic legal research for Texas' courts. OCA has submitted grant proposals to develop a web-database of certified providers of court ordered services and to develop a web-version of the prosecutors' practice manual.
Trial Court Technology. OCA implemented pilot projects in nine counties to install and upgrade local area networks
for all levels of trial courts. JCIT has secured funding to provide grants to additional counties. The grants will be
provided to counties who will participate in submitting case-level data electronically to OCA. OCA is also implementing
a videoconferencing network between San Antonio and Laredo during FY 2000.
General Technology Training. JCIT secured initial funding to begin a training program. OCA is working with the Texas Center for the Judiciary, the Texas Association of Counties, the Texas Justice Court Training Center, and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center to implement training programs for each level of court.
Enabling Legislation for the Three Judicial Support Agencies
Chapter 71, Government Code
Subchapter A. General Provisions
Sec. 71.001. Definitions.
In this chapter:
(1) "Chair" means the chair of the council.
(2) "Council" means the Texas Judicial Council.
Subchapter B. Administrative Provisions
Sec. 71.011. Number and Classes of Members.
The Texas Judicial Council is an agency of the state composed of 16 ex officio and six appointive members.
The ex officio members are:
(1) the chief justice of the supreme court;
(2) the presiding judge of the court of criminal appeals;
(3) the chair of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee;
(4) one member of the senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(5) the chair of the House Judicial Affairs Committee;
(6) one member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house;
(7) two justices of the courts of appeals designated by the chief justice of the supreme court;
(8) two district judges designated by the chief justice of the supreme court;
(9) two judges of county courts, statutory county, or statutory probate courts designated by the chief justice of the supreme court;
(10) two justices of the peace designated by the chief justice of the supreme court; and
(11) two municipal court judges designated by the chief justice of the supreme court.
Sec. 71.013. Terms of Ex Officio Members; Delegation of Functions.
(a) The chief justice of the supreme court and the presiding judge of the court of criminal appeals are members of the council as long as they hold those offices.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (a), all members of the judiciary appointed to the council serve staggered terms of four years with the term of one member from each judicial group expiring on February 1 of each odd-number year.
(c) A legislative member whose membership in the legislature ceases continues as a member of the council at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
(d) A vacancy in a judicial membership must be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(e) A judicial or legislative member of the council serves until his successor is chosen and has qualified.
(f) The chief justice of the supreme court and the presiding judge of the court of criminal appeals may each designate a member of his court to act in his stead under this chapter. The designated person serves at the will of the official who chose him for service.
Sec. 71.014. Citizen Members.
(a) The governor shall appoint the six citizen members on the council.
(b) A citizen member must be a resident citizen of the state. Three of the six citizen members
must be members of the State Bar of Texas and two must be persons who are not licensed
to practice law.
Sec. 71.015. Terms of Citizen Members.
(a) Citizen members serve for staggered terms of six years with two members' terms expiring on June 30 of each odd-numbered year.
(b) A vacancy in citizen membership is filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the governor.
(c) A citizen member serves on the council until his successor is appointed and has qualified.
(a) The council shall meet at least once in each calendar year and may meet at other times as ordered by the council or under its authority.
(b) The council may meet at a place and time designated by it or under its authority.
Sec. 71.017. Quorum.
Eleven members of the council constitute a quorum.
Sec. 71.018. Officers; Committees.
(a) The chief justice of the supreme court shall serve as chair and the presiding judge of the court of criminal appeals shall serve as vice chair of the council. Other officers of the council shall be elected by the council.
Sec. 71.019. Rules.
The council may adopt rules expedient for the administration of its functions.
Sec. 71.020. Expenses.
(a) A member of the council may not receive compensation for service on the council.
Subchapter C. Powers and Duties
Sec. 71.031. Continuous Study.
The council continuously shall study the organization, rules, procedures and practice, work accomplished, results, and uniformity of the discretionary powers of the state courts and methods for their improvement.
Sec. 71.032. Receipt of Advice on Remedies.
The council shall receive and consider advice from judges, public officials, members of the bar, and citizens concerning remedies for faults in the administration of justice.
Sec. 71.033. Methods for Improvement.
The council shall design methods for simplifying judicial procedure, expediting the transaction of judicial business, and correcting faults in or improving the administration of justice.
(a) The council shall file a complete detailed report with the governor and the supreme court before December 2 of each year on council activities, information from the council's study, and council recommendations.
Sec. 71.035. Statistics; Enforcement by Mandamus.
(a) The council shall gather judicial statistics and other pertinent information from the several state judges and other court officials of this state.
(1) the district court of the county of residence of the respondent if the petition for mandamus is filed against a district clerk or a clerk, judge, or other official of a trial court other than a district court;
(2) the court of appeals for the court of appeals district in which the respondent resides if the petition for mandamus is filed against a district judge or a clerk of a court of appeals; or
(3) the supreme court in any other case.
(d) Except as provided by this subsection, the attorney general shall file and prosecute an action for mandamus on behalf of the council if requested to do so in writing by the council. To be valid, the written request must be signed by the chair or by at least 11 members of the council. The attorney general may refuse to file an action if he certifies in writing that the action is without merit.
(a) The council may appoint a committee of at least three members to hold a public hearing.
(b) The committee may:
(1) order the production of books or other documents;
(2) require a report from a state court, including a court that is not a court of record;
(3) administer oaths; or
(4) take testimony.
(c) An officer of the council, either prior to or while sitting at a hearing, or a member of the council sitting at a hearing may issue a subpoena or similar order to a prospective witness under his official signature.
(d) The subpoena or similar order may be served by registered or certified mail or by an adult person.
(e) If a witness fails to comply with a subpoena or similar order issued as provided by this section, the council or its committee holding the hearing may request in writing that a district judge of the county of residence of the witness enforce a subpoena or order as provided by this section, the district judge shall order compliance with the council's order by the same means that the judge may compel the appearance and testimony of witnesses in a trial in his own court.
OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 72, Government Code
Sec. 72.001. Definitions.
In this chapter:
(1) "Court" means any tribunal forming a part of the judciary.
(2) "Director" means the administrative director of the courts appointed as provided by this chapter.
(3) "Office" means the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.
(4) "Trial court" means any tribunal forming a part of the judiciary, except the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, and the courts of appeals, but does not include the commissioners court of a county.
Sec. 72.002. Effect on Jurisdiction or Judicial Discretion.
This chapter or a rule adopted by the supreme court under Section 74.024 does not authorize:
(1) a judge to act in a case over which his court would not have potential jurisdiction under the Texas Constitution or other state law; or
(2) an infringement of the judicial discretion of a judge in the trying of a case properly before his court.
Subchapter B. Administrative Provisions
(a) The office of court administration is an agency of the state and operates under the direction and supervision of the supreme court and the chief justice of the supreme court.
(b) The office shall exercise the powers and perform the duties or functions imposed on the office by this chapter or the supreme court.
Sec. 72.012. Director.
(a) The director shall:
(1) implement this chapter and direct the operations of the office of court administration; and
(2) as an additional duty of his office, serve as the executive director of the Texas Judicial Council.
(b) The director shall devote full time to his official duties.
Subchapter C. Powers and Duties
Sec. 72.021. Budget; Expenditures.
(a) The director shall prepare and submit an estimated budget for the appropriation of funds necessary for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system.
(b) The director shall study and recommend expenditures and savings of funds appropriated for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system.
Sec. 72.022. Personnel.
(a) The director, with the approval of the chief justice of the supreme court, shall employ the personnel needed to administer the office, including personnel needed for the Texas Judicial Council.
(b) The office shall provide staff functions necessary for the efficient operation of the Texas Judicial Council.
(c) This chapter does not limit the authority of a court to appoint clerical personnel.
Sec. 72.023. Consultation and Assistance.
(a) The director shall assist the justices and judges in discharging their administrative duties.
(b) The director shall consult with the regional presiding judges and local administrative judges and assist them in discharging duties imposed by law or by a rule adopted by the supreme court.
(c) The director, to provide for the efficient administration of justice, shall consult with and assist:
(1) court clerks;
(2) other court officers or employees; and
(3) clerks or other officers or employees of offices related to and serving a court.
(d) The director, to provide for uniform administration of the courts and efficient administration of justice, shall consult with and make recommendations to administrators and coordinators of the courts.
(a) The director shall examine the judicial dockets, practices, and procedures of the courts and the administrative and business methods or systems used in the office of a clerk of a court or in an office related to and serving a court.
(b) The director shall recommend:
(1) a necessary improvement to a method or system;
(2) a form or other document used to record judicial business; or
(3) any other change that will promote the efficient administration of justice.
(c) The director shall recommend to the supreme court appropriate means to implement this chapter.
Sec. 72.025. Annual Report.
(a) The director shall prepare an annual report of the activities of the office.
(b) The report must be published in the annual report of the Texas Judicial Council.
Sec. 72.026. Rules.
The director, under the supervision of the chief justice, shall implement a rule of administration or other rules adopted by the supreme court for the efficient administration of justice.
Sec. 72.027. Additional Duties.
The supreme court or the chief justice of the supreme court may assign the director duties in addition to those imposed by this chapter.
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the office may request, accept, and administer gifts, grants, and donations from any source to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(b) The office may not request, accept, or administer a gift, grant, or donation from a law
firm, an attorney, an employee of a law firm or attorney, or the spouse of an attorney or of
an employee of a law firm or an attorney.
(c) In this section, "law firm" means a partnership, limited liability partnership, or professional corporation organized for the private practice of law.
Subchapter D. Judicial Law Clerk and Staff Attorney Recruitment
The judges of the supreme court, court of criminal appeals, and courts of appeals shall encourage the recruitment of judicial law clerks and staff attorneys that reflect the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of this state.
Sec. 72.042. Demographic Census.
(a) The office shall annually publish a report regarding the demographic profile of the judicial law clerks and attorneys employed by the courts of this state.
(b) The office may request that a court provide demographic information to the office.
Sec. 72.081. Rules.
The office shall adopt rules and forms for administering this subchapter and for obtaining information under this subchapter.
The office shall annually collect and publish a performance report of information regarding the efficiency of the courts of this state.
Sec. 72.083. Trial Courts.
The office shall report the aggregate clearance rate of cases for the district courts. In this section, "clearance rate" means the number of cases disposed of by the district courts divided by the number of cases added to the dockets of the district courts.
A court of appeals shall annually report to the office:
(1) the number of cases filed with the court during the reporting year;
(2) the number of cases disposed of by the court during the reporting year;
(3) for active cases on the docket of the court on the reporting date, the average number of days from the date of submission of the case to the court until the reporting date; and
(4) for each case disposed of during the reporting year by the court, the number of days from the date of submission of the case to the court until the date of disposition of the case by the court.
Sec. 72.085. Court of Criminal Appeals.
The court of criminal appeals shall annually report to the office:
(1) the number of cases filed with the court during the reporting year involving:
(A) capital punishment;
(B) an application for writ of habeas corpus; or
(C) a petition for discretionary review;
(2) the number of cases disposed of by the court during the reporting year involving:
(A) capital punishment;
(B) an application for writ of habeas corpus; or
(C) a petition for discretionary review
(3) the average number of days from the date a case was filed with the court until the reporting date, for each active case on the docket of the court on the reporting date involving:
(A) capital punishment;
(B) an application for writ of habeas corpus; or
(C) a petition for discretionary review; and
(4) the average number of days from the date a case was filed with the court until the date the case was disposed of by the court, for each case disposed of during the reporting year by the court involving:
(A) capital punishment;
(B) an application for writ of habeas corpus; or
(C) a petition for discretionary review.
Sec. 72.086. Supreme Court.
(a) The supreme court shall annually report to the office:
(1) the number of cases filed with the court during the reporting year;
(2) the number of cases disposed of by the court during the reporting year;
(3) for the active cases on the docket of the court on the reporting date, the average number of days from the date a case was filed with the court until the reporting date; and
(4) for the cases disposed of during the reporting year by the court, the average number of days from the date a case was filed with the court until the date of release of the court's opinion for the case or the date the case was otherwise disposed of by the court.
(b) For cases on the docket of the court during the reporting year, the supreme court shall annually report to the office:
(1) the average number of days from the date a case is filed with the court until the date the court releases an order announcing its decision granting, overruling, denying, or dismissing an application, petition, or motion;
(2) the average number of days from the date of the granting of an application, petition, or motion until the date of oral argument of the case;
(3) the average number of days from the date of the oral argument of the case until the date the court issues a signed opinion and judgment for the case; and
(4) the average number of days from the date of filing of a case with the court until the date of the release of a per curiam opinion.
JUDICIAL COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Chapter 77, Government Code
Sec. 77.001. Definitions.
In this chapter:
(1) "Committee" means the Judicial Committee on Information Technology.
(2) "Court" means any tribunal forming a part of the judiciary.
(3) "Internet" means the largest nonproprietary nonprofit cooperative public computer network, popularly known as the Internet.
Subchapter B. Administrative Provisions
Sec. 77.011. Judicial Committee on Information Technology.
(a) The committee operates under the direction and supervision of the chief justice of the supreme court.
(b) The committee shall exercise the powers and perform the duties or functions imposed on the committee by this chapter or the supreme court.
(a) The committee is composed of 15 members appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court.
(b) The chief justice of the supreme court, in making appointments to the committee, shall attempt to select members who are representative of, but not limited to, appellate court judges, appellate court clerks, district court judges, county court judges, statutory probate judges, justices of the peace, municipal court judges, district attorneys, court reporters, court administrators, district or county clerks, members of the legislature, attorneys, and the general public. The members shall be selected based on their experience, expertise, or special interest in the use of technology in court. A representative from the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System shall serve as a nonvoting member of the committee.
(c) The chief justice of the supreme court shall designate the presiding officer of the committee. The presiding officer may form subcommittees as needed to accomplish the business of the committee.
(d) A person may not serve on the committee if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the business of the committee.
Sec. 77.013. Compensation.
A member of the committee is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the committee, as provided in the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 77.014. Staff.
The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System shall provide staff for the committee.
Subchapter C. Powers and Duties; Funding
(1) develop programs to implement the recommendations of the Information Technology Task Force of the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency;
(2) develop minimum standards for voice storage and retrieval services, including voice messaging and electronic mail services, local area networks, Internet access, electronic data interchange, data dictionaries, and other technological needs of the judicial system;
(3) develop a coordinated statewide computer and communication network that is capable of linking all courts in this state;
(4) encourage efficiency and planning coordination by researching the possible uses of existing computer and communication networks developed by other state agencies;
(5) develop minimum standards for an electronically based document system to provide for the flow of information within the judicial system in electronic form and recommend rules relating to the electronic filing of documents with courts;
(6) develop security guidelines for controlling access to and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information available in electronic form;
(7) develop a state judicial system web page for use on the Internet accessible to the public for a reasonable access fee set by the supreme court after consultation with the committee;
(8) develop minimum standards for an internal computer and communication network available only to court staff;
(9) recommend pilot programs relating to the testing and demonstration of new technologies as applied to the judicial system;
(10) recommend programs to provide training and technical assistance to users of the coordinated statewide computer and communication network;
(11) develop funding priorities regarding the various technological needs of the judicial system; and
(12) recommend distributions to courts from the judicial technology account in the judicial fund.
Sec. 77.032. Judicial Technology Account.
(a) The judicial technology account is an account in the judicial fund administered by the committee.
(b) Money in the judicial technology account may only be used for the support of programs that are approved by the committee and that provide technological support for the judiciary. The comptroller may pay money from the account only on vouchers approved by the committee.
(c) The committee shall file a report with the Legislative Budget Board at the end of each fiscal year showing disbursements from the account and the purpose for each disbursement. All money expended is subject to audit by the comptroller and the state auditor.
(d) Money available from the judicial technology account may be supplemented by local or federal money and private or public grants.
1. Sections 71.031-71.035, Government Code.
2. For a complete list of meetings held by the Council and its committees, see Appendix A, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations.
3. See Appendix B, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations.
4. Id.
7. See Appendix B, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations. Also See Texas Judicial Council: 1997-1998 Report of Activities and Recommendations, p. 7.
8. See Appendix C, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations. Also See Texas Judicial Council: 1997-1998 Report of Activities and Recommendations, pp. 4-6.
9. Id.
10. 10 Governance of the Texas Judiciary: Independence and Accountability. Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency. V.2 January 1997 p. 33.
11. 11 See Chapter 72, Subchapter E, Government Code.
12. See Appendix D, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations.
13. Id.
14. Governance of the Texas Judiciary: Independence and Accountability. Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency. V.1. November 1996, p. 19.
15. See Appendix D, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations. The rider follows the recommendations of the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency. See Governance of the Texas Judiciary: Independence and Accountability. Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency. V.1. November 1996, p. 19.
16. See Appendix D, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations.
17. Id.
18. See Appendix F, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations (Misc. Docket No. 99-9112, Page 1, citing Order in Misc. Docket No. 98-9179, Par.1).
19. See Appendix F, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations. See Governance of the Texas Judiciary: Independence and Accountability. Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency. V.1. November 1996, p. 25.
21. Id.
22. See generally, The Texas Judicial Council: 1997-1998 Report of Activities and Recommendations, p. 9.
23. For a general discussion of the Office of Court Administration's internal strategic planning efforts see Appendix G, Texas Judicial Council: 1998-1999 Report of Activities and Recommendations.