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§ ~0.('}5 MUNICIPAL LAW AND PROCEDURE MANUAL ~ 2001 <br /> <br />§30.05. TRAINING OF MUNICIPAL JUDGES <br /> <br /> (a) Training for Non Lawyers. Each municipal court judge in the State of Texas <br />who is not a licensed attorney in this state must complete successfully a 32-hour course in <br />the performance of his duties within one year from the date he is first elected or appointed. <br />The judge must complete a minimum of 12 hours each calendar year following the calendar <br />year in which the initial course was taken. The course may be completed in an accredited <br />state-supported school of higher education or in a continuing education course, program, <br />seminar, or law school or law enforcement school approved by the Texas Judicial Council. <br /> <br /> (b) Training for Lawyers. Each municipal court.judge in the State of Texas who <br />is a/icensed attorney and in good standing with the State Bar must complete successfully <br />within one year from the date he is first elected or appointed, a 12-hour course in the <br />performance of his duties. The judge must complete a 12-hour course each calendar year, <br />following the calendar year in which the initial course was taken. The course may be <br />completed in an accredited state-suppotted school o£ higher education or in a continuing <br />education course, program, or seminar approved by the Texas Judicial Council. <br /> <br /> (c) Accreditation o f Courses. The Texas Judicial Council has ~eneral superVisory <br />authority over the administration of this Act. The Texas Judicial Councd accredits courses, <br />programs, and seminars which satis~ the educational requirements of this Act. The Texas <br />Judicial Council may make and adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with this Act <br />governing the conduct of business and the performance of its duties. <br /> <br /> (d) Reporting Training. Not later than the 60th day after the day on which an <br />accredited course is completed, each municipal court judge successfully completing the <br />course shall make a written report of that fact to the Texas Judicial Council in the manner <br />and form prescribed by the Council. <br /> <br /> (e) Waivers for Training. In individual cases, the Texas Judicial Council on <br />prop.er application may grant waivers or extensions of the minimum educational or reporting <br />requirements. <br /> <br />§30.06. MUNICIPAL COURT CLERK <br /> <br /> (a) Selection of Clerk. In a general law municipality, if the municipal judge is <br />elected, the municipal court clerk is elected in the same manner, unless an ordinance <br />provides that the city secretary serves as the court clerk. A city secretary who serves as court <br />clerk may be authorized by ordinance to appoint a deputy clerk. Gov. Code §29.010(a). A <br />home rule municipality may provide by charter for the appoin~nent of the court clerk, even <br />though the judge is elected. Gov. Code §29.010(d). If the charter provides for election of <br />the municipal judge in a home rule municipality, but is silent as to the appointment ora <br />clerk, then the clerk should also be elected in the same manner as the judge, unless an <br />ordinance provides that the city secretary serves as clerk. Gov. Code §29.010(a). <br />Appointment ora clerk is required for court of record. Gov. Code ~30.00009. <br /> <br /> (b) Term of Clerk. The court clerk serves a two year term of office unless the <br />municipality has passed an ordinance providing for a longer term pursuant to Texas <br />Constitution Art. I I §11, If the city secretary is appointed as clerk, that person serves as <br />clerk during the term as city secretary. Gov. Code §29.010(b). This means that the court <br />clerk should be re-appointed at the end of each term (unless the clerk is an elected position), <br />just as the municipal court judge is re-appointed. The governing body shall fill a vacancy <br /> <br />30-6 <br /> <br /> <br />