Municipal Courts and the Texas Judicial System

Just as municipal courts occupy a unique niche in the Texas judicial system, "Municipal Courts and the Texas Judicial System" fills a unique niche in terms of the public's understanding of the courts with which most Texans come into contact. Derived from the TMCEC Municipal Judges Book, this new book has been oriented for the broader municipal court community. It critically analyzes the nature of municipal courts and the judge's role in the Texas criminal justice system. The content has been thoroughly updated through the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature and features a new chapter on Trials and Appeals.

Since the beginning of statehood in 1845, Texas municipal courts have served an important role in both local government and the state judiciary. This publication critically analyzes the nature of municipal courts and the judge's role in the Texas criminal justice system. It provides a primer to judges assuming a municipal bench, as well as a refresher for seasoned judges. The book is also written for the broad array of people interested in Texas municipal courts (e.g., city officials, attorneys, other judges, legislators, educators, students, and the public at large). Just as municipal courts occupy a unique niche in the Texas judicial system, this book is intended to fill a unique niche in terms of the public's understanding of the courts with which most Texans come into contact. The content includes (1) an introduction to municipal courts and the Texas judicial system; (2) role of the judge; (3) an overview of judicial ethics; (4) an introduction to the rights of the accused and victims; (5) judgments, indigence, and enforcement; (6) contempt; (7) the adjudication of juveniles in municipal and justice courts; and (8) trials and appeals.

Ryan Kellus Turner is the Executive Director for the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center and a Substitute Associate Judge on the Austin Municipal Court. Prior to joining TMCEC in 1999, Ryan served as Briefing Attorney for Judge Sharon Keller at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He obtained his juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University and his bachelor's degree in psychology with highest honors from St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas, where he teaches as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. He is currently a collaborative council member for the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health and an advisory member on the Texas Judicial Council Juvenile Justice Committee. In 2015-2016, he served on the Texas Judicial Council Committee on Pretrial Issues. In 2012, he was Co-Chair of the Texas Judicial Council Legislative Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice. A native Texan, Judge Turner was raised in the north Texas town of Vernon. He has written more than 70 published articles pertaining to criminal law, criminal procedure, municipal law, and juvenile justice and is the co-author of the books The Municipal Judges Book and Lone Star Justice: A Comprehensive Overview of the Texas Criminal Justice System. In 2018, he received the State Bar of Texas Nancy L. Garms Memorial Award which recognizes the dedication of an attorney or judge to the advancement of local political and legal education in Texas. He is the 2016 recipient of the State Bar of Texas Outstanding Government Lawyer Award.