Court Clerk John Bell of the Municipal Court in Teague, Texas has completed all the requirements for Level I of the Municipal Court Clerk Certification Program and was awarded certification on November 26, 2024, by the Texas Court Clerks Association (TCCA) in conjunction with the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC), the Texas Municipal Courts Association (TMCA), and Texas State University-San Marcos. John Bell has served in the Teague Municipal Court since January 2023.
To qualify for Level I Certification, clerks must complete 40 hours of continuing education and pass a four-hour exam. Areas covered by the examination include an overview of the courts, ethics, authority and duties, procedures before trial, trial processes, post-trial procedures, state and city reports, traffic law, communications and stress management and juveniles.
TCCA is a non-profit professional association of municipal and justice court clerks and administrators. Its purpose is to increase the proficiency of judicial administrators and clerical personnel through education and the exchange of ideas. Founded in 1972, TCCA is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League and offers its members a variety of services and programs.
TMCEC is a 50l(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to provide judicial and legal education for municipal judges, clerks and prosecutors through monthly regional seminars and an (800) telephone line. TMCA is an association composed of municipal judges, clerks, prosecutors and court support personnel. It monitors legislation, attorney general opinions and changes in case law to ensure that the 918 municipal courts in Texas remain up to date on the law.
