(b) In this article, a person is considered convicted if:

(1) a sentence is imposed on the person; or

(2) the court defers final disposition of the person's case.

(c) The justice court clerk shall collect the costs and pay the funds to the county treasurer, or to any other official who discharges the duties commonly delegated to the county treasurer, for deposit in a fund to be known as the justice court assistance and technology fund.

(d) A fund designated by this article may be used only to finance:

(1) the cost of providing court personnel, including salaries and benefits for the court personnel;

(2) the cost of continuing education and training for justice court judges and court personnel; and

(3) the purchase and maintenance of technological enhancements for a justice court, including:

(A) computer systems;

(B) computer networks;

(C) computer hardware;

(D) computer software;

(E) imaging systems;

(F) electronic kiosks;

(G) electronic ticket writers; and

(H) docket management systems.

(e) The justice court assistance and technology fund shall be administered by or under the direction of the commissioners court of the county.

(f) A justice court may, subject to the approval of the commissioners court, use a fund designated by this article to assist a constable's office or other county department with a technological enhancement, or cost related to the enhancement, described by Subsection (d)(3) if the enhancement directly relates to the operation or efficiency of the justice court.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 977, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 240 (H.B. 1418), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 240 (H.B. 1418), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 304 (H.B. 1448), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 656 (S.B. 1840), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.