Summary: “Safety Through Efficiency" The Municipal Court of Willow Park has jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors issued by City of Willow Park Police Officers, Code Enforcement Officers, Animal Control Officers, and the Fire Marshal.
Find updated statistics in the 3Q 2023 Willow Park Municipal Court Report.
Latest Update: Monday, 28 August, 2023
Willow Park Municipal Court, 3Q 2023 Report
• “Safety Through Efficiency”
• "The Municipal Court of Willow Park has jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors issued by City of Willow Park Police Officers, Code Enforcement Officers, Animal Control Officers, and the Fire Marshal." City of Willow Park
During the 22 August 2023 Council Meeting, the Willow Park Municipal Court presented their third quarter report [in.pdf], including a General Report, Revenue by Offense Type Report, and Offense by Year Report.
City of Willow Park > Departments > Municipal Court
List of procedures. current location, and city employees, Fines / Court Costs / Payments, Juveniles and Minors,
Willow Park Civics Additional Research
• 25 April 2023 Council Meeting, agenda item 8. "Municipal Court. Quarterly Update" in .pdf
Presented by Judge Josh Norrell
I. JUDICIAL PRIORITY: “SAFETY THROUGH EFFICIENCY”
II. Judicial Action Plan:
1. Coordination with Willow Park Police Department
2. Standing Orders
• Enhanced reliability of options by which to resolve cases.
• Greater adherence to detail to allow for solutions to anticipated common problems
3. Streamlined Court Dockets
• Incentivize resolution at first appearance, reduce redundancy to dispose of cases
• Increased Use of Driver Safety Courses for Case Disposition
• Increased Use of Deferred Disposition of Cases
4. Optimized Communication by Court and Collection of Fines and Fees Through New Collections Firm
III. Results: Enhanced Public Safety With Increased Disposition Of Cases And Increased Revenue
• 28 June 2022 Council Meeting 2. Discussion/Action: to appoint a Municipal Judge for a two-year term. Background: Councilman Josh Norrell [Norrell Law Office] has been practicing law for 25 years and currently has a practice in Weatherford. He and his family recently moved to East Parker County. He wishes to give back to his new community by serving as Municipal Judge.
• 14 June 2022 Council Meeting, agenda item 2. Discussion/Action: to not reappoint the current municipal court judge to another 2 year term.
• 25 January 2022 Council Meeting, agenda item 2. Discussion/Action: update on Municipal Court. The Municipal Court Judge: Carol Gauntt will be giving update on Municipal Court and brief report on the below reports: Revenue Collections, Fee Reports, Offenses Report, Comparison Study Report [Full report in agenda packet.]
• Texas Municipal League > Municipal Court > Q&A
• A municipal court of record is required to provide a court reporter to create and preserve a record in cases tried before the court, while an ordinary municipal court typically does not create or preserve a record. TEX. GOV’T CODE § 30.00010. The practical effect of this difference surfaces on appeal.
• Texas State Government Code > Title 2. Judicial Branch > Subtitle A. Courts
• Chapter 29. Municipal Courts > Subchapter A. General Provisions
• Chapter 30. Municipal Courts Of Record > Subchapter A. General Law For Municipal Courts Of Record
• Texas Courts > About Texas Courts Texas Municipal Courts [excerpt] Texas municipal courts are created by cities. They focus on minor traffic and criminal infractions and matters involving city ordinances. Texas municipal courts are located in the cities in which they serve. The number of municipal courts in a city varies widely. More populous cities often have more than one municipal court. Under its constitutional authority to create “such other courts as may be provided by law,” the Legislature has created municipal courts in each incorporated municipality in the state. In lieu of a municipal court created by the Legislature, municipalities may choose to establish municipal courts of record.
• Congressional Research Service > Federal and State Courts: Structure and Interaction 20 August 2023
• Chief Justice Nathan Hecht Delivers ‘State of the Texas Judiciary, The Texan, 20 April 2023