Studies & Special Reports

As directed by Rider 20 (p. IV-28) in the Office of Court Administration appropriation of the General Appropriations Act (GAA), this report details the outcomes of the guardianship compliance pilot project funded by the 84th Legislature.

As directed by House Bill 3424 (84th Legislature), this study reviews the feasibility of setting up a guardianship registry in Texas and best practices for protecting the privacy of individuals' information in the registry.

The National Center for State Courts and the State Justice Institute, which provided funding for this project, wanted information about the impact of civil justice reform efforts to help inform the deliberations of the CCJ Civil Justice Improvements Committee as it drafted recommendations for a national audience.

In 2007, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) completed a judicial workload assessment for the Texas district courts, resulting in the weighted caseload model that is currently used to analyze judicial workload and the need for judges in the district courts.

As directed by House Bill 2455 (84th Legislature), this study focuses on the collection and reporting of data surrounding family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

This research report, conducted by the Texas A&M Public Policy Research Institute, reviews asset forfeiture trends based upon DPS Sting Operations, the use of forfeiture funds by DPS and prosecutors, and the cost impact on counties where the alleged criminal activity that is the basis of the forfeiture occurred.

This report focuses on the growing importance of guardianship in the court community in recent years as courts grapple with how best to handle the increase in cases requiring the appointment of a guardian and in institutionalizing proven case management practices that are associated with ensuring a ward's well-being and best interests.

As directed by Senate Bill 1080 (83rd Legislature), this study focuses on the salary supplements paid by the state to county judges that certify that they spend 40% of more of their time on judicial functions.

This study focused on the caseflow management practices and procedures, physical location and space, technology, and court security measures needed for a model IV-D court.

This study, conducted by the National Center for State Courts, was designed to help OCA determine the feasibility, efficiency, and potential cost of converting to district courts those statutory county courts at law (CCLs) with jurisdiction in civil cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $200,000.