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How to find Texas statutory law on the Internet

Hello. I’m "Dee" Bailey, for short; or if you want my long handle name, it’s H. Deloyd Bailey. I was recently appointed by the Upshur County Commissioners Court to fill the office of Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1.

An old American folk song says, "Wait for the wagon; wait for the wagon; wait for the wagon, and we’ll all take a ride." We live in the age of the information highway, when we can all take a ride, on the Internet. We need a computer and an Internet connection. The rest of the fare for the ride is free; that is, if we’re willing to work a little. If you’d like a ride, connect your Internet and type in the "window" on your home page the following web-address:

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/statutes.html . Then hit enter. It should open to "Texas Statutes." Listed on this page are categories of written laws passed by the Texas Legislature. Most of these statutes are "codified," which means the laws of Texas have been cataloged into a "code" of laws. The codes are listed alphabetically on the web-page. Now here’s an exercise that will help you understand how to use the Internet to find something specific about Texas Law. Move your "curser" down to "FAMILY CODE" on this web-page and left click. Your computer should open to Titles and Chapters of the Family Code of Texas.

Place the curser on "CHAPTER 41. LIABILITY OF PARENT FOR CONDUCT OF CHILD" and left click again. Numbered sections of the Family Code on the subject should now be seen. Sections are shown by a typographical symbol that looks like this, §. You should see §41.001 through §41.003. Each of these sections contain legislative enactments found in Texas’ Family Code that apply to the topic of parental liability for children. As you click on each section (§), the enactments will open and you’ll learn that while parents have liabilities for their children of certain ages, there are limitations on parents’ liabilities. Other laws may apply in a given situation, such as from a child’s use of a family automobile.

As you browse the different codes you will probably soon find one of the many Texas Codes that will apply to something of interest to you. Also, you can hasten your efforts to find your specific section of interest in a code by conducting a Search. Just click on the word Search in the upper left hand portion of the web page for Texas Statutes and follow the directions.

Hopefully this wagon ride will help you find the law of Texas a little easier, and, maybe, you’ll even find peace of mind by learning something you didn’t know. Good luck.

Dee Bailey

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Upshur County, TX.