FAQs
Texas Judicial Academy Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the size of the county, the county judge has a wide range of judicial and administrative duties. Click here for more information on what a county judge does.
Required hours are found in the Rules of Judicial Education posted to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals site.
- New judges must obtain 30 credit hours in their first 12 months and 1.33 hours (16 hrs/12) for each month afterward until the end of the current reporting period (round total to nearest whole number). The judicial reporting period for continuing education is the Texas state fiscal year, currently Sept. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025.
- Texas law also requires certain mandatory training requirements for all Constitutional County Judges
- Bail Training: Pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Arts. 17.023, 17.024, all Constitutional County Judges exercising criminal jurisdiction must be in compliance with educational requirements related to magistrate duties. These include an eight-hour course on magistrate duties within 90 days of taking office, including a DPS course on accessing criminal history records through the Public Safety Reporting System (see PSRS Checklist for more information). All judges taking office after April 1, 2022 must receive this education within 90 days of taking office. Additionally, a two-hour course on magistrate's duties must be completed each subsequent state fiscal biennium (the two-year period beginning on Sept. 1 in odd-numbered years, such as Sept. 1, 2023-Aug. 31, 2025).
- To take an online refresher course, please visit the Texas Justice Court Training Center’s Bail Education page. The online modules are approved for judicial education hours, and the form for county judges to submit hours is there.
- Alternatives to Guardianship: Pursuant to Tex. Govt. Code 22.0133 and Section 1054.157 of the Estates Code, Constitutional County Judges exercising probate jurisdiction as of Sept. 1, 2023, must complete one hour of education on alternatives to guardianship and supports and services available to proposed wards and wards by Dec. 1, 2025. Constitutional County Judges exercising probate jurisdiction must also complete one hour of education on alternatives to guardianship and supports and services available to proposed wards and wards every two years thereafter.
- Bail Training: Pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Arts. 17.023, 17.024, all Constitutional County Judges exercising criminal jurisdiction must be in compliance with educational requirements related to magistrate duties. These include an eight-hour course on magistrate duties within 90 days of taking office, including a DPS course on accessing criminal history records through the Public Safety Reporting System (see PSRS Checklist for more information). All judges taking office after April 1, 2022 must receive this education within 90 days of taking office. Additionally, a two-hour course on magistrate's duties must be completed each subsequent state fiscal biennium (the two-year period beginning on Sept. 1 in odd-numbered years, such as Sept. 1, 2023-Aug. 31, 2025).
How do I see how many hours I've obtained so far?
- You may view your transcript online by logging into the Member Portal and following these instructions. You may also contact Ashley Royer or Megan West at (800) 456‑5974.
- Can I obtain hours outside of the Texas Judicial Academy? Outside hours may be approved by submitting an application that meets the appropriate criteria.
Where can I find sample orders and flowcharts?
- Sample orders, and charts can be found in the County Judges Benchbook or on the Judicial Academy Resources page.
I need to recuse myself from a case. What do I do?
- Find your regional administrative judge here and follow their instructions to assign a Judge to your case.
Where can I find sample standing orders for courtroom rules to adopt in my Court?
- The Office of Court Administration has sample orders, including orders for digital recording. Sample standing orders can be found here.
Where can I find resources for my administrative duties?
- TAC Legal has legal publications and FAQ by subject for the administrative functions of the County Judge.
Where can I find information on inquests?
- The Texas Justice Court Training Center has several charts and resources on inquest procedures.
How many hours of education do I need to obtain in my first year?
- Required hours are found in the Rules of Judicial Education posted to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals site.
- New judges must obtain 30 credit hours in their first 12 months and 1.33 hours (16 hrs/12) for each month afterward until the end of the current reporting period (round total to nearest whole number). The judicial reporting period for continuing education is the Texas state fiscal year, currently Sept. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025.
What other training do I need?
- New Judges must also complete the Public Information Act Training and Open Meetings Act Training. Both videos can be found at the Office of Attorney General.
Judicial Academy County Court Benchbook
Education and Training This resource is intended for constitutional county judges and members of the Texas Association of Counties.
Education and Training New judges must obtain 30 credit hours in their first 12 months and 1.33 hours (16 hours/12 months) for each month afterward until the end of the current reporting period.
THIS WEBSITE IS A RESEARCH TOOL AND NOT THE COUNSEL OF AN ATTORNEY. THIS WEBSITE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY. It is provided without warranty of any kind and, as with any research tool, should be double checked against relevant statutes, case law, Attorney General opinions and advice of legal counsel, e.g., your county attorney. Each public officer is responsible for determining the duties of the office or position held. Any question should be directed to competent legal counsel for a written opinion.