The Municipal Judges Book

Featuring both historic and contemporary issues, The Municipal Judges Book critically analyzes the nature of municipal courts and the judge's role in the Texas criminal justice system. Each edition is updated to reflect changes in Texas statutory law as well as federal and state case law.

Featuring both historic and contemporary issues, The Municipal Judges Book critically analyzes the nature of municipal courts and the judge's role in the Texas criminal justice system. An ideal textbook for new judges and others interested in procedural and substantive laws impacting Texas municipal courts, 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, and (7) the adjudication of juveniles in municipal and justice courts.

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.