(a) The justice or judge of each court, or, if directed by the justice or judge, the clerk of the court, shall keep a docket containing the following information:
(1) the style and file number of each criminal action;

Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 45.017

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.

(2) the nature of the offense charged;
(3) the plea offered by the defendant and the date the plea was entered;
(4) the date the warrant, if any, was issued and the return made thereon;
(5) the date the examination or trial was held, and if a trial was held, whether it was by a jury or by the justice or judge;
(6) the verdict of the jury, if any, and the date of the verdict;
(7) the judgment and sentence of the court, and the date each was given;
(8) the motion for new trial, if any, and the decision thereon; and
(9) whether an appeal was taken and the date of that action.
(b) The information in the docket may be processed and stored by the use of electronic data processing equipment, at the discretion of the justice of the peace or the municipal court judge.


Text of article effective until January 01, 2025

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