Lubbock County, TX
All 26 county-scoped rules
Every published instrument scoped to Lubbock 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 1–26 of 26
Second Amended Standing Order Requiring Parties to Appear at Mediation - District Courts and County Courts at Law of Lubbock County (signed February 9, 2026)
Second amended standing order of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts at law: parties required to take part in alternative dispute resolution do so by the date in the scheduling order, coordinating with the Lubbock County Office of Dispute Resolution or using a private mediator (reported to the ODR); unless otherwise agreed or ordered the mediation takes place in Lubbock County; named parties, including corporate representatives, attend in person unless the parties agree otherwise, and an insured party's representative with full settlement authority attends in person; the parties exchange the listed documents at least seven days before; and the result is reported to the court in writing.
Standing Order Regarding Children, Property, and Conduct of the Parties - District Courts and County Courts at Law of Lubbock County, including Use of Artificial Intelligence (adopted January 13, 2026)
Standing order of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts at law for every divorce suit and suit affecting the parent-child relationship, including modification and enforcement suits, binding on the parties and those acting in concert with them and enforceable by contempt: no disruption of the children; conduct of the parties; preservation of property and use of funds, records, insurance and specific authorizations in divorce cases; ex parte applications; a mandatory exchange of income, insurance and related information before a hearing on child support; section 9, use of artificial intelligence - attorneys and self-represented litigants are responsible for the accuracy of their filings, and reliance on AI-generated information that results in fabricated, misleading or non-existent citations or facts may result in sanctions; and service and application of the order (the petitioner attaches it to the petition).
Administrative Order Concerning Pro Se Filings in Criminal Cases Where Counsel Is Hired, Assigned, or Appointed - Lubbock County District Courts (signed November 7, 2025)
Standing order of the Lubbock County district courts for all pending and future criminal cases: the courts will not consider or rule on pleadings filed pro se by an accused who has an attorney of record (hired, assigned or appointed), there being no right to hybrid representation; an accused keeps the right to proceed without counsel, and once a waiver of counsel is approved the court considers proper pro se filings.
Administrative Order Requiring Discovery of Evidence Depicting Invasive Visual Recording and Entry of Protective Order (Code of Criminal Procedure Article 39.152) - Lubbock County Criminal Courts (signed September 22, 2025)
Standing order of the Lubbock County criminal courts for all pending and future criminal cases, incorporated into each case without further order: evidence that constitutes or contains a visual image described by Penal Code section 21.15(b) (invasive visual recording) is produced to the defense under article 39.14, subject to a protective order prohibiting copying or dissemination except for use in the proceeding; such material is not made available to the public during hearings and is placed under seal at their conclusion (article 38.451); and material not admitted into evidence is returned to the State or destroyed at final disposition.
Administrative Order Requiring Discovery of Property or Material from Child-Pornography-Type Cases and Entry of Protective Order (Code of Criminal Procedure Article 39.153) - Lubbock County Criminal Courts (signed September 22, 2025)
Standing order of the Lubbock County criminal courts for all pending and future criminal cases, incorporated into each case without further order: property or material described by Code of Criminal Procedure article 39.153 is produced to the defense under article 39.14 subject to a protective order prohibiting copying or dissemination except for use in the proceeding, is not made available to the public during hearings and is sealed at their conclusion, and material not admitted is returned to the State or destroyed at final disposition.
Administrative Order to Release DFPS Records (Family Code Section 261.201(c)) - Lubbock County Criminal Courts (signed September 22, 2025)
Standing order of the Lubbock County criminal courts for all pending and future criminal cases: the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney's Office releases information gathered from the Department of Family and Protective Services to defense attorneys under Code of Criminal Procedure article 39.14 and Family Code section 261.201(c), subject to a protective order against further dissemination to third parties (violation punishable as contempt).
Omnibus Order of Referral - Criminal Associate Judges of Lubbock County (signed August 1, 2025)
Omnibus order of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts-at-law referring to the Criminal Associate Judges of Lubbock County any matter arising out of a criminal case in the eleven listed categories, unless the associate judge's powers are limited in the order appointing the associate judge or another written order of the referring court.
Omnibus Order of Referral - Family Law Associate Judge of Lubbock County (signed August 1, 2025)
Omnibus order of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts-at-law referring to the Family Law Associate Judges any aspect of a suit or action, including ancillary matters, over which the court has jurisdiction under Title 5 of the Family Code and the other listed titles and chapters; a trial on the merits may be referred unless a party files a written objection within 10 days after notice that the associate judge will hear the trial; entered under Family Code section 201.006 with the powers of section 201.007.
Standing Order Establishing Confidentiality of DFPS Court Records - District Courts and County Courts at Law of Lubbock County (signed April 8, 2025)
Standing order of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts at law: affidavits, court reports and other documents filed in suits brought by the Department of Family and Protective Services under Family Code chapters 261, 262 and 264 are confidential and kept so by the District Clerk, who allows access only to the court, associate judges, DFPS, the parties and their attorneys, attorneys and guardians ad litem, CASA and the other persons the order lists; anyone else requests access with the form attached as Exhibit "A" (printed with the order).
Standing Order Requiring Parties to Appear at Mediation - Justice Courts of Lubbock County (signed January 28, 2025)
Standing order of the Lubbock County justice courts, under their local rules: parties required to take part in ADR do so by the date in the scheduling order, through the Lubbock County Office of Dispute Resolution or a private mediator (reported to the ODR); unless otherwise agreed or ordered the proceeding takes place in Lubbock County; named parties, including corporate representatives, attend in person, virtually or by telephone unless otherwise ordered or agreed, and an insured party's representative with full settlement authority attends in person; documents that may help resolve the case are exchanged at least seven days before; and the result is reported to the court in writing.
Local Rules of Procedure and Decorum for the Justice of the Peace Courts, Lubbock County (effective January 1, 2012; amended December 16, 2024)
Local rules of the four Lubbock County justice courts, effective January 1, 2012 and amended December 16, 2024: general provisions (objective, scope, jurisdiction, organization, calendar, jury selection); civil cases (filing, mediation - since February 2021 debt cases in which an answer is filed are referred to mediation - settings, jury demands, preferential settings, continuances, preliminary matters, telephone hearings, dismissal for want of prosecution, withdrawal of attorneys, holidays, authorization to serve citation); criminal cases (filing, first appearance, settings, pleas, appointment of counsel, withdrawal or substitution); rules of decorum; and transfer of cases.
Local Administrative Rules of the District Courts and County Courts-at-Law of Lubbock County (adopted by the Board of Judges December 6, 2024)
Local administrative rules of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts-at-law, adopted unanimously by the Board of Judges on December 6, 2024: general rules (annual calendars, holidays and settlement weeks, hours, definitions, policy, electronic filing and paper copies); the local administrative judge and court divisions; civil, family and juvenile case management; criminal case management (case allocation, bail and pretrial release, meaningful-event and disposition time standards, appointment of counsel under the Fair Defense Act); jury management; alternative dispute resolution through the Office of Dispute Resolution; and attorney matters, forms and other administrative provisions. Earlier local orders remain in effect unless they conflict with these rules (Rule 10.15).
Amended Joint Order Regarding Detention of Individuals Pending Filing of Charges - District Courts, County Courts at Law and Magistrate Court of Lubbock County (signed November 1, 2024)
Amended joint order of the Lubbock County district courts, county courts at law and magistrate court (replacing the 2005 administrative order): subject to Code of Criminal Procedure article 17.151, a person detained pending the filing of formal charges is considered for release on a pretrial bond or reduced bail if the State has not filed charges within 45 days (felonies listed in article 42A.054), 30 days (other felonies) or 15 days (Class A misdemeanors); the court notifies the State, which files any written objection naming the individual and its reasons, and the court decides whether to hold a detention hearing or to continue the detention or release the individual; the order does not apply to the four categories of defendants listed in article 17.151(2).
Administrative Order Re: CSCD Records - District Courts and County Courts at Law of Lubbock County (signed August 31, 2022)
Administrative order of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts at law: when the Lubbock-Crosby Community Supervision and Corrections Department receives a request or subpoena for "CSCD records" - everything obtained during supervision except criminal history, driver license history and protected health information such as mental or medical health records - from the attorney of record for a person on community supervision, the records may be released to that attorney at the discretion of the department's director.
Lubbock County Court Standing Order Regarding Written Admonition on Ineligibility to Possess Firearms or Ammunition (guardianship; signed October 12, 2020)
Standing order of the County Court of Lubbock County in guardianship matters, in compliance with 1 Texas Administrative Code section 176.1: the court gives the Written Admonition on Ineligibility to Possess Firearms or Ammunition to wards physically present in the courtroom, as the order provides.
Order Referring Certain Adoption Cases to Associate Judge - 72nd, 99th, 137th, 140th, 237th and 364th District Courts of Lubbock County (signed January 8, 2016)
Order of the six Lubbock County district courts under Family Code sections 201.005 and 201.006: every adoption case filed in those courts in which the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is the managing conservator is referred to an Associate Judge for Child Protection Cases appointed to serve the Ninth Administrative Judicial Region.
Order Referring Certain Adoption Cases to Associate Judge - County Courts at Law Nos. 1, 2 and 3 of Lubbock County (signed January 8, 2016)
Order of the Lubbock County Courts at Law Nos. 1, 2 and 3 under Family Code sections 201.005 and 201.006: every adoption case filed in those courts in which the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is the managing conservator is referred to an Associate Judge for Child Protection Cases appointed to serve the Ninth Administrative Judicial Region.
Standing Order in Limine for Trial of Civil Jury Cases - District Courts and County Courts at Law of Lubbock County (signed October 21, 2010)
Standing order in limine for every civil jury trial in the Lubbock County district courts and county courts at law, unless suspended for a particular trial: no attorney may mention, refer to or suggest any of 27 listed matters in the presence or hearing of the jury or venire - among them insurance, collateral sources, settlement negotiations, discovery disputes and several kinds of jury argument - without first approaching the bench and obtaining a ruling; each attorney must admonish the client, the client's representatives and non-adverse witnesses likewise; items 26 and 27 govern evidence not disclosed in discovery and objections based on non-disclosure, to be raised at the bench (preferably at pretrial).
Lubbock County District Courts and County Courts at Law Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan (effective October 1, 2010)
Plan of the Lubbock County district courts and county courts at law, approved by the Board of Judges and effective October 1, 2010, for language access for persons with limited English proficiency: legal basis and needs assessment; interpreters in the courtroom (qualifications, appointment and payment) and language services outside the courtroom; translated forms and documents; bilingual staff and volunteers; judicial and staff training; public outreach; and notification, evaluation and review of the plan, which remains in effect unless modified or updated.
Rules for Alternate Dispute Resolution - Civil Litigation in the Justice of the Peace Courts of Lubbock County (effective September 1, 2007)
ADR rules of the Lubbock County justice courts, effective September 1, 2007: the courts may refer appropriate civil cases, on their own motion or a party's request, to the Dispute Resolution Center before trial; an objection is filed within ten days of the referral; after referral the parties must take part, consult the Master of Dispute Resolution on the procedure (mediation, moderated settlement conference or binding arbitration) and serve the required memorandum at least seven days before; no mediation fee is assessed; neutrals must meet the stated qualifications; the center certifies completion to the court, which then sets unresolved cases for trial; ADR communications are confidential.
Joint Order Regarding the Filing of Police Reports & Witness Statements - 137th, 140th and 364th District Courts, Lubbock County (signed April 15, 2005)
Joint order of the Lubbock County district judges assigned to hear criminal cases (137th, 140th and 364th Judicial Districts): police reports and witness statements submitted to the District Clerk for filing in a criminal case are treated as sealed documents, to be opened only on further order of the court, and the clerk seals every such report and statement submitted for filing.
Order Referring Juvenile Matters to the Magistrate of Lubbock County - Lubbock County District Judges Sitting as Juvenile Judges (signed June 21, 1999)
Order of the six Lubbock County district judges sitting as juvenile judges referring and assigning to the Magistrate of Lubbock County, for hearing and recommendation, every proceeding over which a juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction under Title 3 of the Family Code, including any matter ancillary to the proceeding.
Lubbock County Court Policy Regarding Applications for Successor Guardian
Policy of the County Court of Lubbock County on applications for a successor guardian: notify the court on filing if there is an emergent, immediate need, and the court will decide whether one exists; otherwise the court requires appointment of an attorney ad litem, citation by posting, personal service on the ward and a hearing, and the applicant must complete the Judicial Branch Certification Commission requirements before the hearing.
Lubbock County Court Procedures for Guardianship Hearings
Guardianship hearing procedures of the County Court of Lubbock County: the attorney ad litem's report is due at least 48 hours before the hearing; the applicant's attorney e-files the court instructions after the hearing; certificates of medical examination are filed in person with the County Clerk; proposed orders are e-filed no sooner than 48 hours before the hearing; with the list of motions that need no hearing (unopposed continuances, agreed substitution or withdrawal of counsel, substitute service unless the court specifies otherwise, agreed judgments).
Lubbock County Court Procedures for Probate Hearings (updated February 14, 2025)
Probate hearing procedures of the County Court of Lubbock County: hearings are scheduled by e-mail with the court coordinator, first come first served, with notice when contested; hearings are in person, with a Zoom link for applicants who would travel long distances (remote participation arranged at least 48 hours ahead; attorneys attend in person); wills, and any copy being probated, must be physically on file before a hearing is set; proposed orders are filed 48-72 hours before the hearing and the proof of death within 20 days after; independent administrations with a will need all heirs' consents or live testimony, and intestate administrations need an heirship determination within 30 days after the administration hearing; attorneys ad litem are requested from the probate wheel through the coordinator and added as e-file service contacts; with the list of motions that need no hearing.
Pro Se Policy of the County Court of Lubbock County
Pro se policy of the County Court of Lubbock County (Judge Curtis Parrish): a personal representative of a decedent's estate (independent or dependent executor or administrator, temporary administrator) is not appointed unless represented by a licensed Texas attorney; pro se applicants may represent only themselves, may not question witnesses or represent other beneficiaries; with the policy's further provisions on the limited matters a self-represented applicant may pursue, such as probate of a will as a muniment of title, and on the forms and requirements that apply.