The Texas Municipal Courts
Association (TMCA) was organized in 1974 for the sole purpose of forming
a viable support organization dedicated exclusively to serving Municipal
Courts. In 1983, TMCA was the organization selected by the Texas Supreme
Court to receive and administer a grant to provide continuing legal
education to Municipal Court personnel. In 1994, the authority to grant
the legal educational funds was transferred from the Texas Supreme Court
to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The Texas Court of Criminal
Appeals selected TMCA to continue to receive and administer the grant
funds.
To provide the continuing
legal education, TMCA created the Texas Municipal Courts Training Center
in 1983; in 1994 the name was changed to the Texas Municipal Courts
Education Center (TMCEC). The TMCA sponsors and directs the Texas Municipal
Courts Education Center and, via the Education Committee, provides oversight
to assure quality educational seminars meeting state mandatory education
requirements are presented at several regional sites each year. TMCA
was the first statewide organization to provide free training and continuing
education for court clerks and court administrators. TMCA co-sponsors
the Texas Court Clerks Certification Program. The free legal seminars
for judges and for court clerks, the free books and manuals, the 800
hotline, etc., is the result of activities initiated by the TMCA.
The only funding available
to TMCA for operating expenses is through membership dues. No grant
funds are used to operate TMCA. Therefore, it is extremely important
that the Municipal Court personnel continue to support TMCA via membership
dues. TMCA is in competition with other organizations for the available
legal educational funds (JPs, other courts, police, DPS); a strong
organization helps to maintain a high profile when the grant requests
are reviewed and given.
Membership in TMCA is
open to all Municipal Judges, Court Clerks, Deputy Clerks, Prosecutors,
and all other Court Staff. TMCA believes that a strong membership is
essential to continue to provide at no cost the quality programs, support,
and materials you have received in prior years. Please join your professional
colleagues in membership in the organization founded and dedicated to
serving your needs.
Joining is as easy as one-two-three:
1) Click here for the membership application form
2) Print the form
3) Mail the form to us with your dues (Please do not mail cash)