The Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association,"TCCDLA", is a non profit corporation composed of attorneys who practice criminal defense law in Tarrant County, Texas.
Membership Directory

The Tarrant County District Attorney has implemented a new, revised, and what they call a more efficient policy on obtaining videos in DWI cases. It is found by clicking here. The form for attorneys in Tarrant County must be picked up in person at the DWI Library in the Justice Center. You can view this form here. If you are an out of county attorney, you don't have to go to the Justice Center. Rather, you can fax the "Out of County Form" to 817-884-2499. This form can be found here.

This message applies to the recertification notice for those attorneys who are on the court appointment lists, and is posted pursuant to the judges handling criminal cases in Tarrant County. "In view of the large number of attorneys who recently failed to submit their recertification information on time, the Office of Attorney Appointments will institute/reinstitute email notifications to attorneys who are on the verge of becoming ineligible accept indigent appointments due to failure to submit required eligibility documentation. It is the criminal judge's desire to have an adequate and qualified pool of attorneys available to represent indigent defendants. However, it remains the responsibility of the individual attorney to insure he/she remains in compliance." Post Date 20 August 2008. Bill Ray- President TCCDLA

Need ECFS Access and have never had it before...

If you're already a member of TCCDLA, then all you need to do is go to the TCCDLA store and purchase a Cert Vault Client License. Once the order is placed, you will be notified once your Cert Vault account is set up. This may take some time since we rely on Tarrant County to generate a security certificate for you.

If you're NOT A MEMBER of TCCDLA, you have two options: Join TCCDLA and purchase a Cert Vault Client License OR pay the Non-Member Fee *and* purchase a Cert Vault Client License. Memberships, non-memberships, and licenses are available at the TCCDLA store. Once the order is placed, you will be notified once your Cert Vault account is set up. This may take some time since we rely on Tarrant County to generate a security certificate for you.

For all issues concerning purchase, installation, and technical support for ECFS access to criminal case files of the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, call Storm's Edge Technologies at 817-496-4956. Thank you.

To renew memberships, pay maintenance fees, and Logon to the TCCDLA website, you must have a WEBSITE PASSWORD. You also must have a COMPUTER PASSWORD to access and use the computers at the courthouse. To have your WEBSITE PASSWORD emailed to you, CLICK HERE. Your passwords and instructions for logging on will be sent to the email address that TCCDLA has for you. To recover all passwords, CLICK HERE.

Before you log on to renew memberships or pay non-member fees, please note the following mistakes that prevent you from doing this:

1. You must know your email address and password. If you do not know them, look to the left of this column to see how to retrieve them. You will need to know your state bar number.

2. When you fill out the form, all blanks must be filled out. A common mistake is to not fill in the year you were licensed. There is an "Edit Above Information" link in orange letters near your electronic signature field that allows you to do this.

3. Your credit card company will not authorize a charge if the billing address is not correct.

4. The member, not TCCDLA, makes changes to your membership profile. There are directions on this website that explain how to do this.

5. If you are still having problems, call Storm's Edge Technologies at 817 496 4956 or email Jen@stormsedge.com.

Thank you

To join TCCDLA, purchase a Cert Vault Client license (ECFS Access**), or make donations to the Ward Casey Scholarship Fund, CLICK HERE.

**You must be a member of TCCDLA or pay the non-member fee to purchase this item.

FYI: The old ECFS access software (the one needing the token) is no longer supported.

Please download the Cert Vault Software, available throught the navigation system: ECFS System > Cert Vault Software Download. This new software works with the following operating systems: Vista, Windows XP Porfessional or Home, Windows 2000; it can even be run on an Apple or Mac PC *AS LONG AS* you run a Windows simulator, such as Windows Parallel.
~ The Cert Vault software is free but you must have a Cert Vault Client license for each PC you want to use to access ECFS. These are available in the TCCDLA store for $50 each plus sales tax. You must be a member of TCCDLA or pay a non-member fee in order to purchase a Cert Vault Client License. Free licenses are no longer being issued in exchange for tokens. You automatically receive one Cert Vault license for each license you had under the old system.
~ As long as you maintain your TCCDLA membership or non-member status, your ECFS access will not be de-activated by the organization. If you fail to renew your membership or non-member status by January 31st of each year, your ECFS access will be de-activated by TCCDLA.
~ The only reason you need to keep a (that is ONE) token, is for use on one of the PCs in the Justice Center (4th or 7th floor). You will only be allowed a maximum of one token.
~ During 2008, when the certificate on your token is within 30 to 60 days of expiring, you will be notified via e-mail by Storm's Edge Technologies and asked if you would like to maintain a token. If so, your token will be replaced. If not, you will be given instructions on returning your token(s).
~ If a secretary or assistant will manage/access ECFS for more than one attorney, he or she will have to license the PC for every attorney. Cert Vault can only be downloaded once to a PC, but then licensed for as many attorneys as needed. If the assistant wants to access files for Attorney A, they will need to login as Attorney A. If they want to access files for Attorney B, they will need to login as Attorney B.
~ If you need to move Cert Vault to another PC or re-download Cert Vault to a PC that's been formatted, the PC will need to be unlicensed. Please call Storm's Edge Technologies at 817-496-4956 to do that for you.
~ You may not, according to your contract with TCCDLA, allow a private investigator to load your software on his computer even while working on a case for you. TCCDLA has the ability to monitor and know whose computer the software is on. This information will be provided to the county, or the DA, if they ask.

Renew your TCCDLA Membership

Current Members of TCCDLA may renew dues at this time for 2008. If you have any problems, please call Storm's Edge at 817 496 4956, but please read these directions first. Dues have been decreased to $125.00 per year, or $100.00 if paid on or before December 31, 2007, for the 2008 year. A Member may also purchase all 2008 monthly meeting lunches for $100.00, if paid for by December 31, 2007. This saves $65.00 and you do not have to RSVP for lunch.

Renew Non-Member Maintence Fee here

Non Member Maintenance Fees are $90.00 plus sales tax, if paid before December 31, 2007, and increase to $100.00 plus sales tax after December 31, 2007, and must be paid on or before January 31, 2008.

If you don't practice law regularly in Tarrant County, you can purchase the ability to view District Attorney files over the internet for $100.00, plus tax. This special procedure will give you access for exactly 180 days from the date of purchase. You do not incur maintenance fees in this process, however, there is no continuation of services. This is a one time deal. To purchase CLICK HERE..

If you have not downloaded the Cert Vault software, you may do so by going to the navigation system and choosing ECFS System, then Cert Vault Software Download.
To access ECFS using the Cert Vault software:
1) Double-click the 'CertVault' icon on your desktop
2) Click on the yellow key
3) Type in your UserID and Password
3-A) If you've never licensed your PC before, click 'Yes' when it asks, and then re-logon using the same UserID and Password
3-B) It may warn you that you'll be installing a certificate; click 'Ok' or 'Yes'
4) When the certificate appears in the box, double-click on it; an IE browser will attempt to open
5) A box will pop up and you will be asked to choose a digital certificate; make sure your name is listed and highlighted, and click 'Ok'; the browser will finish opening to the Integrated Justice System Online.
6) Click on the words 'Defense Attorneys' in the gray bar
7) Under the words 'Maintain Defense Attorney' there will be four blue links; click on 'Defense Cases' and that's where you can search for case information
NOTE: Your UserID is an email address and your Password is formatted like this: Kk@###.#### - If you do not have this information, please call Storm's Edge Technologies at 817-496-4956.

Members, if you have any suggestions for speakers at luncheons or special requested subjects, or any matter you believe you would like TCCDLA to bring to the judges' attention, please email Bill Ray, 2008 President. All comments are kept confidential unless you indicate otherwise. Thank you.

Some of the 2008 meetings are for TCCDLA members only.

The schedule and tentative speakers for the remainder of the year are as follows.

September 11, 2008 - Dr. Laura Gahn will speak on DNA

October 9, 2008 - Greg Pipes, Assistant District Attorney, will speak on expunctions.

November 13, 2008 - Brad Parker, Prominent Attorney in Bedford, Texas, will give an inspirational ethics lesson.

The 2008 Christmas party will be December 11, 2008. The meetings will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. at Joe T. Garcia's fine mexican food on North Commerce Street in Fort Worth.

To see if a person is in the Fort Worth Police holding facility at 350 W. Belknap St., call 817-392-4056.
Locate a person confined in the Tarrant County Jail.
Locate a person confined in the Arlington City Jail.
Locate a person confined in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDC).
Locate a person confined in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
Find a person in a jail anywhere in the United States.

It has finally arived! You can now upgrade your ECFS access software. Download it now!

You can make a tax deductible contribution to the Ward Casey Scholarship Fund which provides legal scholarships to members, or you can help members of our organization in time of critical financial need. Make a donation today!

To apply for membership for the first time, can you must fill out an online application. This process will not be available until December 6, 2007. Membership Dues are $100.00, if paid on or before December 31, 2007, for the 2008 year. On or after January 1, 2008, and for the entire year, with no proration, membership dues are $125.00.

Current TCCDLA members can renew memberships in TCCDLA for the upcoming year between December 1 of the current year and January 31 of the following year with no application & with a credit card. The current membership fee for 2008 is $100.00, if paid before December 31, 2007. After December 31, 2007, membership dues are $125.00 for 2008. Pay Renewal

Members, you may join the TCCDLA listserve, a chat line for members of TCCDLA with comments about current issues. To join contact Stephanie K. Patten.

TCCDLA has placed a computer and printer in the DA s office right next to our copy machines and on the 7th floor by the jury room of the 396th District Court. The District Clerk is also installing computers and printers in the clerk's offices on a trial basis, beginning on the 5th floor. These computers will allow you to access the ECFS System as well as print off any documents you may need.TCCDLA has given each person with a token 250 free printer credits. After that you can simply purchase printer credits from the TCCDLA online store. Below are the procedures for using the TCCDLA computer:

1)Plug in your token into the USB cable.(NOTE: The USB ports on the computer are non-functional, you must use the cable).

2)  The system will ask you for your Passphrase (this is the last four digits of your bar number).

3)The system will then ask you for your UserID and Password.This is your access password to this computer and is assigned to you by Storm s Edge Technologies. Your User ID is your email address and your assigned computer password has been emailed to you. If you don't know your password you need to call Storm's Edge at 817 496 4956. If you don't know your email you don't need to be trying to do this.

4)Double Click on the ECFS System icon on the desktop and use the ECFS System as you would in your office or on your own computer.

5)To print anything, simply follow the same procedure you would on your own computer (Click the printer Icon, choose File->Print, Hit Alt+R, etc )

6)To logoff the computer, simply remove your token and the system will automatically log you off.

As always, if you have any questions, please call Storm s Edge Technologies at 817.496.4956.

Gary Myrick is a cartoonist who has made several thousand drawings for a local television station. If you have had a trial in the last twenty years that had media attention, Gary may have a drawing of your grilling final argument. Gary's number is 817-367-7709.

To view the dockets of the nine felony and ten misdemeanor courts, click here.

To view many forms on this website, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is a free download. Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

Statistics of the Tarrant County Criminal District Courts. View

TCCDLA has installed a computer and printer in the District Attorney's Office where TCCDLA's copier is located, and near the jury room of the 396th District Court (7th floor). These computers are operational at the present time. Any person with a TCCDLA USB token use the computer free of charge. To access the computer, review the email that was sent to you by Storm's Edge. If you don't remember, email jen@StormsEdge.com to get your password and the instructions. The instructions to use this computer are immediately below this tab. You cannot change this password but will be able to sign on to www.tccdla.com and have the password emailed to you after about December 10, 2007.

To access criminal case files of the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney over the Internet, defense attorneys may order the ECFS Access Kit which allows them access to Tarrant County's Integrated Justice System Online. You must either be a member of TCCDLA or pay a non member maintenance fee in order to purchase the ECFS Access Kit.

You may check your ECFS status here. If your name is on the list, you are able to access files via ECFS. CLICK HERE to see if you are on the list.

Check on the status of payments from the Tarrant County Auditor: Check Payments

This information is posted at the request of the judge, coordinator, or probation officer in that court. For further information, please contact that person.

County Criinal Court Number Five

Tarrant County Criminal Court 5 is now offering a victim advocate in the court room on Monday and Wednesday mornings.  The purpose of this addition is to provide the alleged victim with immediate services, alternative information and possible consent agreement for the Diversion Program.  Please advise all of the members of the Defense Bar so they can make plans to utlilizes the advocates when their client is set for docket.  Please call me if you have any questions.Thank you

Debra Bezner
Tarrant County Criminal Court #5 Program Coordinator
817-884-2647 dlbezner@tarrantcounty.com

To logon to the Tarrant County Wireless network, you need to add the county's wireless code to your computer. The code is TX22000L, (the 0's are zeros). The network needs to be the first on the list of access points. You will not be able to see this network with a search by your computer for networks. The network codes are "open" and "disabled". If you cannot get this to work, you should contact a computer person to help you. TCCDLA and Storm's Edge Technologies do not maintain or provide techical support on this system, nor does Tarrant County.

Frequently Asked Questions about ECFS

NOTE: Tokens and the old ECFS software are no longer supported for use on home, office, or laptop PCs. Please upgrade to the Cert Vault Client Software.

1. What is ECFS?

ECFS stands for Electronic Case File System - in this case for Tarrant County only. Tarrant County has gone paperless. All discovery documents that the prosecutor or the courts make available are now accessible online in PDF format.

2. Can anyone access ECFS? If so, how?

In order to access ECFS, a defense lawyer must be a member of TCCDLA - OR - pay a Non-Member fee (which covers processing & support costs), AND he or she must also purchase at least one Cert Vault Client License.

All dues, fees, and products are available through the TCCDLA store.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Read the proposed revisions to the Tarrant County Criminal Local Rules. Contact Ken Cutrer via fax or phone with any quesions or suggestions.

Members, if you were born on or before December 31, 1942, you can have free dues and luncheon meals for life from TCCDLA, beginning in 2008. You also do not have to RSVP to any meeting. To get this benefit, fax a copy of your driver's license to Bill Ray at 817 698 9092 before December 31, 2007. Do not buy a meal pack or renew your membership. It will done for you automatically.

Please be advised that the felony judges have clarified the new rules for appointment. You can see them by clicking here. View

Office of Court Appointments
Criminal District Courts
County Criminal Courts
Criminal District Attorney (Alphabetical)
Criminal District Attorney (Court) 817-884-1400)
Magistrate Court
Adult Probabtion (CSCD)
2nd Chair Program