Polk County
Second Administrative Judicial Region (Region 2) · official region site ✓ · County seat: Livingston
Rules that apply here (county → region → statewide)
Preview of 25 instruments. All 5 county-scoped rules → search all three layers.
258th/411th District Courts & Polk CCL — Standing Order Regarding Electronic Devices in the Courthouse (Polk County edition; eff. May 9, 2024)
The shared standing order (Judges Kitchens 258th, Wells 411th, and Brown Polk CCL; eff. May 9, 2024) on electronic devices in the Polk, San Jacinto and Trinity County courthouses, as registered for Polk County: photographing, video/audio recording, broadcasting, or televising any person, object, or proceeding in the courtrooms is strictly prohibited; violators (any individual or agency) may be removed from the courthouse and have their devices forfeited to the county Sheriff’s courthouse security; devices must be off or silent inside any courtroom and may not be used without prior court approval; and devices may be used for non-restricted purposes outside the courtrooms if reasonable and non-disruptive.
Local Rules for the Justice of the Peace Courts of Polk County (eff. Jan. 1, 2023)
The Polk County justice courts’ local rules (Gov’t Code § 27.061), effective January 1, 2023: jurisdiction (civil debt/small claims to $20,000; residential and commercial evictions including writs of re-entry; fine-only criminal traffic and Class C offenses; animal cruelty/neglect; peace bonds; and other matters under Gov’t Code §§ 27.031–27.034); organization into four precincts each with its own clerks and posted docket; and bench exchange when a judge is unavailable (vacation, conference, medical need) so the courts’ work is not interrupted. Precinct 3 has its own supplemental local rules (folded here).
Polk/San Jacinto/Trinity Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties (Polk County)
The three-county family standing order of the 258th and 411th District Courts and the Polk County Court at Law, applying in every divorce and SAPCR (including modification/enforcement) filed in the county: binding on the parties, their agents/attorneys, and anyone acting in concert with notice, and ENFORCEABLE BY CONTEMPT (up to $500 fine and/or six months in jail per violation, plus a money judgment for attorney’s fees and costs). It protects the children (no removal from Texas to change residence, no disruption of school/day-care, no hiding, no disparagement, no involving children in the litigation, and — in an original divorce — no overnight dating-partner presence 10 p.m.–7 a.m.), and (per the standard form) the parties’ property, electronic data, and insurance, with the usual authorizations.
258th District Court (Polk/San Jacinto/Trinity) — Standing Discovery Order in Criminal Cases (Polk County)
The 258th Judicial District’s standing criminal discovery order (Judge Kitchens, eff. Jan. 1, 2023), applying in all criminal cases until ordered otherwise: the State must furnish all Michael Morton Act (CCP art. 39.14) discovery plus a written trial-witness list (including experts) with addresses, supplemented within 30 days of arraignment; all written/recorded defendant statements and confessions (CCP art. 38.22), any jail conversations it intends to use and any known Brady evidence (with the defense entitled to listen to the defendant’s jail calls in the State’s possession on request); written notice of intent to use extraneous-offense evidence (TRE 404(b)); and inspection of items seized from the defendant and any co-defendant/accomplice.
258th District Court (Polk/San Jacinto/Trinity) — Standing Order on Default Judgments (Polk County)
The 258th Judicial District’s standing order on default judgments (Judge Travis E. Kitchens, Jr., eff. Jan. 1, 2023): after the answer period, the plaintiff files a Motion for Default Judgment requesting a hearing, with the defendant’s last known address; the court sets a hearing and sends the defendant notice; if the defendant fails to appear, the court will consider granting the motion without plaintiff’s counsel appearing; and if the defendant appears, the appearance is treated as an answer, the default motion is denied, and the case proceeds under the TRCP.
Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas — Regional Rules of Administration
The Regional Rules of Administration governing the district and statutory county courts of the Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas (adopted 1995, effective January 3, 1996; amended 2007 and 2016). Eleven rules: case-disposition time standards (felonies 12 months, misdemeanors 6, civil jury 18 / non-jury 12, contested family 6 / uncontested 3, and the juvenile deadlines); the duty to supply docket information to the Regional Presiding Judge; the requirement that each county adopt conforming local rules for civil, family/juvenile and criminal dispositions and a jury plan; judicial-absence plans; the rule-with-respect-to-rules (numbering and Supreme-Court/Presiding-Judge approval for effectiveness); local court administration including recusal-referral procedure to the Presiding Judge (Rule 18a) and recording/broadcasting standards; conflicting engagements of attorneys; and the four-week attorney-vacation rule.
Second Administrative Judicial Region — Rules for the Appeal of an Approval of or Failure to Act on a Request for Payment of Appointed Attorney’s Fees
The Second Administrative Judicial Region’s rules (Code of Criminal Procedure art. 26.05(c)) for appointed counsel to appeal a trial court’s or Managed Assigned Counsel Director’s disapproval of, or failure to act on, a request for payment of appointed-attorney fees. Counsel files an original motion with the clerk and forwards copies to the Regional Presiding Judge and the payment authority within 20 days of a disapproval order (or within 80 days if the authority fails to act), setting out the enumerated case and billing details; the Presiding Judge abates ruling at least 10 days for the payment authority to reconsider, then rules under art. 26.05(c) on the form order in Appendix B, with the Judge’s/Director’s findings on the Appendix A forms.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.9 — Attorneys Not Admitted to Practice Before this Court
N.D. Tex. LR 83.9 — Attorneys Not Admitted to Practice Before this Court: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.8 — Loss of Membership and Discipline of Attorneys
N.D. Tex. LR 83.8 — Loss of Membership and Discipline of Attorneys: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.7 — Admission of Attorneys
N.D. Tex. LR 83.7 — Admission of Attorneys: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.6 — Applications to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
N.D. Tex. LR 83.6 — Applications to Proceed In Forma Pauperis: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.4.1 — Compliance with Standards of Litigation Conduct
N.D. Tex. LR 83.4.1 — Compliance with Standards of Litigation Conduct: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.4 — Conduct of Attorneys at Trial or Hearing
N.D. Tex. LR 83.4 — Conduct of Attorneys at Trial or Hearing: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.3 — Assignment of Cases
N.D. Tex. LR 83.3 — Assignment of Cases: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.2 — Miscellaneous and Special Orders
N.D. Tex. LR 83.2 — Miscellaneous and Special Orders: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.18 — Photographs, Broadcasting, Recording, and Television Forbidden
N.D. Tex. LR 83.18 — Photographs, Broadcasting, Recording, and Television Forbidden: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.17 — Weapons Forbidden
N.D. Tex. LR 83.17 — Weapons Forbidden: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.16 — Dress and Conduct
N.D. Tex. LR 83.16 — Dress and Conduct: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.14 — Parties Proceeding Pro Se
N.D. Tex. LR 83.14 — Parties Proceeding Pro Se: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.13 — Change of Contact Information or Name
N.D. Tex. LR 83.13 — Change of Contact Information or Name: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.12 — Withdrawal or Substitution of Attorney
N.D. Tex. LR 83.12 — Withdrawal or Substitution of Attorney: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.11 — Exemption from Admission to Practice, and from Requirement of Local Counsel, for Attorneys Appearing on Behalf of the United States Justice Department or the Attorney General of the State of Texas
N.D. Tex. LR 83.11 — Exemption from Admission to Practice, and from Requirement of Local Counsel, for Attorneys Appearing on Behalf of the United States Justice Department or the Attorney General of the State of Texas: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.10 — Requirement of Local Counsel
N.D. Tex. LR 83.10 — Requirement of Local Counsel: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 83.1 — Application of Rules by a Presiding Judge
N.D. Tex. LR 83.1 — Application of Rules by a Presiding Judge: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
N.D. Tex. LR 81.2 — Certificate of Interested Persons
N.D. Tex. LR 81.2 — Certificate of Interested Persons: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.