S.B. 6 Bail Resources (Note this page is continually updated so check back for the most current information.)
The 87th Texas Legislature (2021) passed S.B. 6, which created new requirements for magistrates and court clerks. Click here for TMCEC’s bill summary.
To be eligible to release on bail a defendant charged with a Class B misdemeanor or higher category of offense, the magistrate must comply with new requirements, including an eight-hour training on magistrate duties. Magistrates serving on April 1, 2022 have until December 1, 2022 to complete this training. All other magistrates have 90 days from the date they take office. TMCEC’s 8-hour course, Magistrate Duties: Setting Bail in Criminal Cases, is now available on-demand on the Online Learning Center.
Pursuant to the requirements of S.B. 6, on April 1st, OCA launched the Public Safety Report System (PSRS) for statewide use by appropriate officials in each county and municipality that perform magistrations (at no cost). Among other requirements, magistrates who set bail must consider the public safety report generated by the PSRS for a defendant charged with a Class B misdemeanor or higher category of offense.
OCA created a PSRS Resources page with FAQs, procedures, and sample forms.
OCA also hosts a public website, Texas Online Public Information-Courts (TOPICs) where anyone can search for the latest bail form, citation/notice, and protective order records.
In order to access the PSRS, magistrates must:
- Have an Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number which is provided by DPS. This number is a federal designation that provides agencies access to the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), and, in Texas, the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS). Click here for information on obtaining an ORI and to see if your court or jurisdiction already has one.
- Request access to one of the following TLETS certification trainings (which one depends on the level of access needed). The jurisdiction’s Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) must complete a User Request Form to request access to either certification training. For access to the User Request Form, questions about the TLETS access training and certifications, or to verify if previous certifications are still valid, contact DPS via email at: TCIC.Training@DPS.Texas.gov.
- Mobile Access Certification. Individuals who can query TCIC and NCIC for criminal history information must complete the 8-hour TLETS Mobile Access Certification Course. Users initiating queries for criminal history information from the PSRS must have a unique TLETS ID and complete the 8-hour training. DPS provides the training at no cost, both virtually and in person, New users have six months to complete the training after being granted initial access and a TLETS User ID. Recertification is completed online and required every two years.
- Criminal Justice Practitioner Certification. Individuals who only access hard or electronic copies of TCIC and NCIC responses, and do not query for criminal history information themselves, must obtain and maintain a Criminal Justice Practitioner (CJP) certification. The CJP certification can be obtained after completing a 2-hour self-paced online course. Recertification is required after two years.
If you have any questions related to TLETS access, contact DPS: TLETS@dps.texas.gov.
If you have any questions related to the PSRS, contact OCA: bail@txcourts.gov.
If you have any questions related to the TMCEC training related to magistrate duties, contact Mark Goodner: mark@tmcec.com.
OCA published its FY 2022 Report: Damon Allen Act Bail Proceedings and Public Safety Report System.