Fall Judicial Education Session

Speaker: Hon. Susan M. Redford, Executive Director, Texas Association of Counties

As a judge, the ability to exercise discretion in the courtroom remains critical in Texas. This session will review the areas where a judge may and should exercise judicial discretion and offer guidance on when recusal is appropriate.

Speaker: Hon. Sue M. Kurita, Judge, El Paso County Court-at-Law No. 6

This session will provide a basic discussion of state juvenile law and give an overview of the path that a juvenile case takes from detention through disposition.

Speaker: Hon. Stephanie Davis, Comanche County Judge

While the area of probate and estates is generally a land mine for the unwary, several particularly pesky issues seem to crop up regularly.

Speaker: Mr. Gus Tamborello, Attorney, Gus G. Tamborello, P.C.

This course will review the requirements for a case to be appealed from justice court and the procedure for handling them once it is received and under the jurisdiction of the constitutional county court.

Speaker: Ms. Thea Whalen, Executive Director, Texas Justice Court Training Center

This session will discuss suppression hearings from beginning to end, including burden of proof, searches and seizures, and special considerations in DWI cases, as well as motions, notice and related pretrial matters.

Speaker: Hon. Deborah Earley, Blanco County Attorney

County judges, when faced with evidentiary decisions in criminal and civil cases, will acquire information to assist them in distinguishing proper evidence, objections and analysis to determine relevance, admission and weight of evidence.

Speaker: Hon. Alan Bristol, County Relations Officer, TAC

This session is an introduction to the right to counsel for those who are charged with crimes and unable to afford to hire their own attorney. It will include an overview of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission's grant and monitoring programs, the Texas Fair Defense Act and key requirements of compliance for county judges in regard to indigent defendants.

Speaker: Mr. Scott Ehlers, Director of Public Defense Improvement, Texas Indigent Defense Commission

This session will provide an update of recent legislation affecting the prosecution and defense in driving while intoxicated cases, which are a major portion of criminal misdemeanor dockets in county courts.

Speaker: Ms. Jessica Frazier, Chief Civil Prosecutor, Comal County

This session will cover substantive and procedural special issues that arise in guardianship cases and examine matters such as service, standing, mental health issues, bonds, Adult Protective Services (APS) investigations, wards, reporting and compliance issues, and complications that arise from removal or withdrawal of guardians.

Speaker: Hon. Justin Lewis, Hill County Judge

This session will provide an overview of property transmission upon death with a will in Texas, the requirements of a valid will under state law and the role of the judge in the process.

Speaker: Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, TAC

There are a number of alternatives to the probate process that can be used in certain situations. This session will review muniments of title, small estate affidavits and other less common alternatives.

Speaker: Hon. Susan M. Redford, Executive Director, TAC

This session will assist judges to better understand the roles of emergency detention orders and orders of protective custody, as well as discuss special considerations in mental health cases.

Speaker: Hon. Nathaniel Moran, Smith County Judge

This session will review specific and recurring issues facing judges and considerations for ensuring compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct.

Speaker: Hon. Tramer Woytek, Judicial Resource Liaison, TAC

This session will address concerns and offer suggestions for judges in managing dockets efficiently, maximizing court staff time, effectively protecting the integrity of court proceedings and dealing with common challenges in court.

Speaker: Hon. Robert Newsom, Hopkins County Judge

This session will discuss concerns surrounding proper bonds, types and conditions of those bonds, and the effects of bond forfeitures.

This session will provide an overview of expectations for the 87th legislative session and will include discussion of the issues and special concerns that may affect county courts, commissioners courts and county budgets.