[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6469018,"mediaKeyId","5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a","parentId",5781349,"title","JCIT forms new committee to study e‑filing mandates and nonparty electronic returns; co‑chairs named","audioSeconds",730,"startMs",6395000,"endMs",7125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a&start=6395&end=7125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a/thumbnail_6395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469018/Texas/JCIT-forms-new-committee-to-study-efiling-mandates-and-nonparty-electronic-returns-cochairs-named","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469018-4b9595c58debdc27ca1a7ce0cd4de782/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285368&Signature=bgmKgYnB1Dmn825KxGh61~fPs6W7cz2VJkUzl~8D1VRnI3nePR09PPhCCqhEGBbFgvxQJIXwTP0A7KvEmLWiTv~0S9scw7N0bDbCp7eZRN2oRDOgx1DL0exRS4nFWH9Vq27UnnW4afN1RlCTxIPM6YufhBqCrPcrtD6wMC8snkORsRZYkWPOOEp0jRjcb8yEQMwkRSU~SzA70a9GHUGVMAcShEWEFLruzJyhgVhYnIRnCfGwNfxLQN55rmhbrLCRlh7fpi7kQbX3drJapTgXlvSYoFnkIc-eKRi-madEeX-TuA92iFSfKRu0x6ODC9YO9u-cor1uL4ZE2f7djroZBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Criminal Appeals, Court of (CCA)","date","2025-09-13T00:22:13.53Z","article","JCIT’s justice courts update highlighted rapid growth in justice court e‑filing and prompted discussion about whether to mandate e‑filing for certain filers. The committee agreed to form a new working group to examine requirements for nonparty filers and justice court e‑filing mandates.

Russ presented the justice courts report, saying 60 counties and many JP offices now accept e‑filing and that debt‑collection and eviction files represent large volumes in justice courts. \"We went from 23 to now 60 counties... 85% represents 67% of the state's population,\" Russ said while summarizing progress.

Commercial process‑service provider David Wilms suggested that commercial process servers, sheriffs and constables who are paid to file returns of service should be required to e‑file those returns rather than submitting paper. He told the committee that many returns still arrive as paper and that electronic returns would reduce manual clerk work.

After discussion about practical implementation and possible law enforcement or constable concerns, the committee agreed to create a new subgroup to study the issue and coordinate with law enforcement and vendors. Bob nominated Jessica and Russ to chair the subgroup; Jessica and Russ agreed to lead the effort. The group will examine scope (which nonparty filers to include), technical options (state portal vs. back‑end integrations), local practice variations, and any statutory or rule changes that would be required. Casey and committee staff will assist in outreach and scheduling.

The committee did not adopt a new rule at the meeting; instead, it formed the subgroup to develop recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judicial Committee on Information Technology","oneSentenceSummary","After a justice‑courts update and a proposal from a process‑service provider, JCIT agreed to form a new subgroup to study whether nonparty filers (process servers, sheriffs, commercial service companies) and justice‑court evictions should be required to e‑file; Russ and Jessica agreed to co‑chair the group.","taxTitle","Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA), Judicial, Texas","taxId",17431,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6469022,"JCIT subcommittees to drill into \"judge's request\" returns and local‑rule variability for Guide & File",1103,4335000,5438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a&start=4335&end=5438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a/thumbnail_4335000.jpg","/articles/6469022/Texas/JCIT-subcommittees-to-drill-into-judges-request-returns-and-localrule-variability-for-Guide-File","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469022-654614366f1e0b0bc6b92ffdc116e80b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285368&Signature=fqiKbsmF82juAuzNXzoiRDwWvCssNSxyEbpujbFTz1H9NzIh~b52FrIPHjTPWlF2s6ks7n7yRJZumZ0u-FfNrXOs~gSIHEAeKR~YN6ORal9uDSRr35jGVccdvRyhu98v9suunyT0~sfJJmv2Y3fT-nozi5D1w1r11Qt5dReJ3S40Tj7Rvoe2D9XpuZTnvbl587-Ck3qGWp14Dm-6Ps0EcU8O-G2Fd3dont8uPhryQ-RCZ02O7hM~u0vqia6UtGbJi42MfSy8~-o5PLcwl2tmc8aZhgBZooj~gLulbyHEc-pbfBrnIFxzF2w1m6qAP2EF5XEiF~67xIcttwLaXNkIxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","JCIT members raised concerns that many Guide & File submissions for pro se litigants are returned for correction with the broad reason code \"judge's request,\" a label the committee said is too vague for filers and may hide local‑rule or clerk‑driven rejections.

Evan and other staff presented data showing steady return‑for‑correction rates and that the largest volume of Guide & File returns is for divorce and eviction case types. Committee members said the \"judge's request\" category often masks specific deficiencies — missing required forms, incorrect formatting, or local rule requirements — and that pro se users receive insufficient guidance when a filing is returned.

\"We should add categories that actually capture what the problem is and not use the term judge's request,\" one committee member said, urging clearer rejection reasons so filers can correct mistakes. The committee agreed to ask the Standards Committee to examine splitting out \"judge's request\" into more specific return codes and to convene a joint meeting with the Access to Justice group to align clerk practices and Guide & File interview content.

Justice Clinton and others volunteered to participate; staff said they would schedule the joint meeting and that committee chairs would invite access to justice partners and local clerks for targeted education. The Standards Committee will review the existing return‑for‑correction codes and recommend more granular reasons and clerk guidance.","Committee members flagged a high volume of Guide & File rejections coded as \"judge's request\" and asked the Standards Committee to drill down on causes; a joint meeting with Access to Justice was proposed to reduce returns and improve pro se filings.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6469026,"Counties pass 50% integration mark; Tyler portal migration and November integration deadline discussed",524,5686000,6210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a&start=5686&end=6210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a/thumbnail_5686000.jpg","/articles/6469026/Texas/Counties-pass-50-integration-mark-Tyler-portal-migration-and-November-integration-deadline-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469026-ad1accd85fa7879c145bc2cdb1021305/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285368&Signature=cowKp6ZB1bFIBhLr~iG-FGyCw4sKc8WPg~IIYefHwhroCxhwSrbVlcbJ9EiNg1DTDoz12DuHLBV8jZzxwrUkONupbW6AaqiOGhigGeiiui5pbmeoD68qEQB9CzqeNbue1xR8MGpqhOpkhmq0GwBY0~--kDVllZV2ez6ByOJBomUi81fmLLaB1ZgxZZErYqsYl3GSItjrlO9kd9LKbaMPLodpkbHZTPXReamfscu5bAeC-ZLWVtlC65tYeidBhnHfWrqGI-BMoOVBDb8lfHb17EAnj37pPcVKebj1XXD1JVTo5Ug5oG2U5DyNa1A7OXQqvxErX-ldDZfQis9EK963DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","JCIT heard detailed operational updates about Research Texas integrations and the e‑filing front end supplied by Tyler Technologies.

Ed Mendoza, director of professional services for the E‑File Texas program, presented transaction and integration metrics. The meeting record shows the statewide integration effort is past the halfway mark: attendees were told \"we're over 50%\" of counties integrated, with 222 clerk offices live and another 15 scheduled to join the system the following Monday, Casey said. The group set a target for broader integration work to continue through a November 1 deadline for total integration in the current rollout phase.

Mendoza described vendor and county coordination: several case management system (CMS) vendors are turning on integrations in blocks, and larger waves of counties are expected as vendors finish API testing. \"We're getting blocks and blocks of counties coming online,\" he said. Committee members flagged a subset of small counties that had not previously published electronic records and will need clerk‑level assistance to mark sensitive/confidential documents so public posting does not expose protected material.

Mendoza also announced a platform change: the older HTML5 Tyler portal will be retired and users redirected to the newer EFSP portal. \"This portal will be closed down starting Monday, May 15,\" he said; staff said they would keep the old site live briefly in the background to handle unexpected issues and support calls during the switchover.

Committee members discussed implementation risk, noting some counties undergoing CMS transitions may need extra time. Staff said they had received extension requests from small counties and would coordinate with CMS vendors to stage integrations. No formal policy vote was recorded; the committee asked standards and implementation teams to continue vendor coordination and to assist smaller clerks that lack prior web publication practices.","JCIT presenters said more than half of clerk offices are integrated with Research Texas; Tyler/Ed Mendoza reported phased county integrations and announced an EFSP portal migration that will redirect users to a new portal starting Monday, May 15.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6469032,"JCIT sets Oct. 1 go‑live for attorney case notices; webinars, FAQs to accompany rollout",352,1230000,1582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a&start=1230&end=1582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781349-fd8664015a48d869cede0e44d5eb0d4a/thumbnail_1230000.jpg","/articles/6469032/Texas/JCIT-sets-Oct-1-golive-for-attorney-case-notices-webinars-FAQs-to-accompany-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469032-6c607729d54852577cd95d9e03dfa87a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285368&Signature=aELVXW3LrpgfhQz4vIpizU1xrOUdN5tnrkMb3dGyXtx~axxp8nRY6WIZaBz6VptDV3Xs7Zgr922-szRx3I0Boz-pT4U0cZCfgC3OvVuqXeTkN9GHX~KeHoNpgv583p6LoU4y2tQ5tF2DVFFc9SarwnR5InPUuW7FTSZbj28j6xcH5FIu80o5Am~ULuBKliTe2Ds5l~v54FNHAR23390DHtPh-nRQfDJZWgm0oWWRFb3XLczOx51v4x3deAwp5x4DNBToqk9H3i-lrsHqRf~WhKw2Ss2u5BC6f4g36nqwYrQEwwxXZvWf~u5Wh7Vy85x6xIMO7iI6cYMv-0KmdSbu8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Committee on Information Technology (JCIT) said on a committee call that Research Texas will begin sending automated case notices to attorneys on Oct. 1, 2025, for civil and family cases in counties that are integrated with the statewide system.

The announcement came during the e‑filing document access subcommittee report. Tracy, the subcommittee chair, said the committee has updated an FAQ page and scheduled webinars to explain the change. \"We think the date of going live of 10/01/2025, and that announcement is already on the website,\" Tracy said. Casey of the Office of Court Administration (OCA) and vendor staff worked with the committee on the rollout and communications plan.

The committee described the new case notices as a replacement for Research Texas’s older case alerts. Casey told the group that only attorneys in integrated counties will receive the automated notices and that the notices will not go out for sealed documents. \"Anything any event that gets integrated and updated in Research Texas... those notices will go out to the attorney of record for those cases,\" Casey said.

Committee members said they will run nationwide‑style outreach to users: an email from Tyler (the vendor) to attorneys who had filings in the past year, statewide webinars beginning the week after the meeting, and messages to clerks and listserv announcements. Tracy said webinars will be held on Thursdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. through Sept. 26 before the Oct. 1 go‑live.

The subcommittee also discussed county integration status and cautioned that notices will only reach attorneys when the local clerk’s case management system is integrated with Research Texas. Casey reported integration progress elsewhere in the meeting and noted more counties are coming online in blocks.

The committee did not record a formal vote at the meeting; staff said they would circulate details and, if needed, take an email vote before submitting changes to the Supreme Court for any required approvals.

The rollout will be accompanied by a question‑and‑answer page on Research Texas and by clerk and attorney outreach to reduce confusion about who receives notices and how they relate to sealed or confidential filings.","The JCIT e‑Filing Document Access subcommittee said Research Texas will begin sending case notices to attorneys on Oct. 1, 2025; notices apply to civil and family cases in integrated counties and will be accompanied by webinars and updated FAQs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

JCIT forms new committee to study e‑filing mandates and nonparty electronic returns; co‑chairs named

JCIT subcommittees to drill into "judge's request" returns and local‑rule variability for Guide & File

Counties pass 50% integration mark; Tyler portal migration and November integration deadline discussed

JCIT sets Oct. 1 go‑live for attorney case notices; webinars, FAQs to accompany rollout