Justices of the Peace

Judicial education is administered by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Click here for more information.

Justices of the Peace have yearly judicial education requirements outlined by the Court of Criminal Appeals in the Rules of Judicial Education.

All hours must be completed during the current academic year which runs from September 1st to August 31st. Hours do not roll over.

Please note for FY20: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Court of Criminal Appeals is allowing Justices of the Peace to get their Stage III hours online via online courses and webinars. Click here for more information.

Newly appointed or elected judges must attend 80 hours of New Judges' training from TJCTC within one year of being sworn in. If you have been newly elected or appointed, visit our New Judge page.

Please note for FY20: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Court of Criminal Appeals is allowing Justices of the Peace to get 20-hours (including civil hours) online via online courses and webinars. Judges can also get their hours through any combination of online and in-person hours. 

• 2nd year non-attorney judges must attend 20 hours of training from TJCTC.
• 10 of the required 20 hours must be on a civil topic. 
• 2nd year attorney judges may follow the attorney guidelines below.

Please note for FY20: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Court of Criminal Appeals is allowing Justices of the Peace to get 20-hours (including civil hours) online via online courses and webinars. Judges can also get their hours through any combination of online and in-person hours. 

• Judges are required to receive 20 hours of judicial education including 10 hours on civil courses.
• The 10 hours of civil training must be delivered by TJCTC at an in-person event. 
• Your remaining hours may be obtained from an approved entity outside the Training Center. See the Rules of Judicial Education for a list of pre-approved training entities.
• Training not listed in the Rules of Judicial Education must be approved by TJCTC.
• Please send any alternative certification to be used toward your 20 hour requirement to Jessica at jessforeman@txstate.edu by August 31st.

Please note for FY20: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Court of Criminal Appeals is allowing Justices of the Peace to get 20-hours (including civil hours) online via online courses and webinars. Judges can also get their hours through any combination of online and in-person hours. 

• Attorney JP's may use bar approved CLE courses towards their 20 hours after their first year. Their first year, they must attend the TJCTC 80 hour courses.
• CLE courses have to cover topics relevant to justice courts.
• Please send any alternative certifications and CLE credits to be used toward your 20 hour requirement to Jessica at jessforeman@txstate.edu by August 31st.

If you are unable to attend training due to a personal or family medical issue, you may be able to get a medical wavier request that will allow you to complete all of your hours online. 

Please download the JP Medical Waiver Request and send it to the Training Center by:

• Emailing the request to Jessica at jessforeman@txstate.edu
• Faxing the request to 512-347-9921
• Or mailing the request to our office at 1701 Directors Blvd, Suite 530, Austin, TX 78744

The request will be forwarded to the Justice of the Peace Education Committee for approval. 

You must be an appointed or elected justice of the peace. Visiting judges may attend training if room is available. If you are a visiting judge and would like more information on training, please contact Laura at lv13@txstate.edu.

The Judge must initiate the process to sign up a new employee for a TJCTC profile. Click here for step by step instructions.

Do you have a question about registering? Contact April at adw167@txstate.edu. 

Do you have a question about JP education requirements? Contact Jessica at  jessforeman@txstate.edu.