Bowie County, TX
All 7 county-scoped rules
Every published instrument scoped to Bowie County, newest effective date first. 1 region-wide and 1,248 statewide instruments also apply here — search all three layers together. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Published rules, newest effective date first
Showing 1–7 of 7
Local Rules of Administration, Practice and Procedure, 5th, 102nd and 202nd Judicial District Courts and County Court at Law, Bowie County (Rev. June 2026; adopted June 16, 2026)
Bowie County's consolidated local rules for the three district courts and the County Court at Law, revised June 2026 and adopted June 16, 2026: general provisions (applicability, time standards, calendars, holidays, hours), local administrative judges, filing and random assignment of civil, family, DFPS, felony and capital cases with re-indictment, exclusive-control and conflict-of-settings rules (Rule 3); settings and docket practice including written motions, preferential settings, dismissal and suspense dockets, pre-trial conferences, witnesses and exhibits, jury charges and the 14-day rule for submitting judgments, orders and decrees (Rule 4); family law temporary orders, the ex parte temporary restraining order granted on the court's own motion in every divorce or annulment and the attorney's duty to furnish it (Rule 5); criminal appointment of counsel, written plea bargains and pre-trials (Rule 6); jury management (7); court and attorney vacations (8); personnel (9); attorney in charge and withdrawal of counsel (10); courtroom decorum, public attire and the portable electronic device rules (11); communications and budgets (12); and adoption, amendment, notice and publication of the rules (13).
General Standing Order Clarifying Protective Order Application Case Assignments (General Order 25GO024-CCL; Bowie County District Courts and County Court at Law; filed August 14, 2025)
Sua sponte general standing order of the Bowie County district courts and County Court at Law clarifying Local Rules 3.1.3 and 3.1.4 on family-case assignment: new Rule 3.1.4(d) directs that all applications for protective orders under the Texas Family Code presented to the District Clerk be filed into and assigned to the County Court at Law of Bowie County unless a different filing and assignment is mandated by Family Code Chapters 81 through 88, and the District Clerk is ordered to file and assign new applications accordingly.
Bowie County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties (District Courts and County Court at Law; effective March 6, 2024)
Bowie County's standing order for every divorce and parent-child case: no disruption of children (no removal from Texas, no change of school, no hiding a child or changing its abode, no disturbing its peace); conduct of the parties (no vulgar or threatening communications, no harassing calls, no diverting or deleting mail or electronic messages, no destroying electronically stored information, no tracking or monitoring the other party's property or vehicle); preservation of property and use of funds in a divorce (fourteen prohibited acts); personal and business records including electronic data, social-network content and account passwords; insurance; the specific authorizations for ordinary business, attorney's fees, living expenses and authorized withdrawals; service with the petition and the fourteen-day TRO / temporary-injunction effect; the priority of protective orders; and encouragement to mediate.
Remote Detention Hearing Procedures, County Court at Law of Bowie County sitting as a juvenile court (General Order 23G0019-CCL, filed October 31, 2023)
The Bowie County Court at Law's plan under Texas Family Code section 54.012 for conducting juvenile detention hearings remotely: the court may in its discretion hold detention hearings as remote proceedings and may allow or require any party, attorney, witness or court reporter to appear remotely; parties keep the right to cross-examine witnesses; every testifying party or witness must be on camera with an unobstructed view or may not testify; physical evidence must be displayed so that the court, attorneys, parties and witness view it simultaneously, digital copies are e-mailed to the court and to counsel before the hearing where practicable, and evidence that cannot be rendered digitally is tendered to the court within 7 days after the hearing; the proceeding is recorded and preserved under section 54.012(c).
Divorce Seminar Order — 5th, 102nd and 202nd District Courts and County Court at Law of Bowie County (signed January 2, 2019)
Standing order of Bowie County's district courts and County Court at Law: every divorcing parent whose case is filed in Bowie County must attend a four-hour seminar on the effects of divorce on children, registering on filing a divorce proceeding involving children, and must file the certificate of completion at least seven days before the final hearing; non-compliance may draw a direct order to attend and sanctions.
Bowie County - E-Filing Business Processes
Bowie County e-filing business processes: the format and specifications for pleadings submitted for filing (word-searchable PDF, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, 300 DPI; audio/video to JCIT standards; the filer's email under TRCP 21(f)(2)), how filings are submitted and processed, returns of service, and the 24-hour processing time (with a courtesy copy required if appearing before processing).
Bowie County - Guidelines for Pro Se Petitions for Divorce
Bowie County guidelines for pro se (self-represented) divorce petitioners: the advice to retain an attorney and that court staff cannot give legal advice; the requirement, when children are involved, of an attorney's letter approving the decree as to form on file before the hearing; and how uncontested-divorce settings are made through the County Court at Law coordinator after the 60-day waiting period, with the need to appear and present adequate testimony and a properly prepared decree.