Tarrant County, TX
All 134 county-scoped rules
Every published instrument scoped to Tarrant County, newest effective date first. 3 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 1–50 of 134 · page 1 of 3
Tarrant County Local Rules — Part 5: Rules Governing Proceedings in Cases Before the Criminal Courts (adopted Mar. 11, 2025; Rule 5.33 added Mar. 27, 2026; Rule 5.44(b) amended June 4, 2026)
Part 5 of the Tarrant County Local Rules governs every case filed in the county's Criminal Courts — County Criminal Courts Nos. 1–10, Criminal District Courts Nos. 1–4, and the 213th, 297th, 371st, 372nd, 396th, 432nd and 485th District Courts (Rule 5.11). It sets courtroom conduct and decorum for counsel and all persons (Rule 5.2), motion practice (presentment within three business days of filing, a proposed order with every motion, "unopposed"/"agreed" in the title with a certificate of conference, 14-day responses), amended-versus-supplemental documents, the Rule 5.33 certification regime for filings created with artificial intelligence, attorney-in-charge and withdrawal rules, indigent-defense appointment and fee disclosure, 30-day vacation/CLE notices with sworn continuance motions within 7 days of a conflicting setting, interpreter requests (28 days before jury selection; 14 days before other settings), docket management and conflicting-setting rules, and the Presiding Criminal Judges Panel that administers the criminal court system. Adopted by majority vote of the criminal judges Mar. 11, 2025; this registration (Aug. 27, 2026) replaces all prior versions of Part 5.
213th District Court (Tarrant County) — Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery (Aug. 5, 2026)
Judge Michael Ferry's standing omnibus discovery order for the 213th District Court (Aug. 5, 2026): the State may release medical records, grand jury records, Department of Family Protective Service records and criminal histories of State's witnesses to defense counsel without a formal motion (withholding permitted if the State requests a formal hearing); defense counsel may not disclose or repurpose protected information and must return or destroy the documents at the conclusion of the case.
Justice Court, Precinct 7 (Tarrant County) — Tickets/Citations (page last modified June 2, 2026: courtesy notice with plea options; not-guilty plea in writing specifying judge or jury; guilty pleas paid before the court date or by payment plan; warrant if no bond or payment by the appearance date; no third-party payment without the defendant's plea; cashier's check or money order to Justice Court, Precinct 7, no personal checks; juveniles pay in person; online payment enters a nolo plea; contact the court before paying to request defensive driving or deferred disposition)
Justice Court Precinct 7's tickets and citations procedures (page last modified June 2, 2026): citations from DPS, the constables, game wardens and the Sheriff are filed with the court, which mails a courtesy notice with payment options, due date and plea instructions; a defendant pleading not guilty must notify the court in writing and specify trial by judge or jury (a not-guilty plea may be changed to payment by contacting the court); a guilty plea is entered by paying in person, online or by mail before the scheduled court date, or by requesting a payment plan; failure to post bond or pay within the appearance date (ten days from filing) results in an arrest warrant; the court will not accept a third party's payment without the defendant's plea; a warrant is not recalled until the next business day after an after-hours online payment; cashier's checks and money orders payable to Justice Court, Precinct 7, personal checks not accepted; juveniles cannot pay online and must pay in the office; a defendant wanting defensive driving or deferred disposition must contact the court before paying online, because an online payment enters a plea of nolo contendere; fine and court-cost amounts are on the county's Class C pro se guide.
Justice Court, Precinct 2 (Tarrant County) — Discovery Local Rule (eff. July 1, 2015; revised May 1, 2026)
Precinct 2's discovery local rule, revised effective May 1, 2026, sets the Justice Court discovery period and per-party discovery limits and frames them against Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Part V.
Justice Court, Precinct 2 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Discovery (eff. July 1, 2015; rev. May 1, 2026)
The Tarrant County Justice Courts' Local Rules for Discovery as adopted for Precinct Two by Judge Mary Tom Curnutt (effective July 1, 2015; revised May 1, 2026) — the same text Precinct One revised on Apr. 30, 2026: court-ordered pretrial discovery (TRCP 500.8), an objection-proof general disclosure request, a discovery period from the signed order to 30 days before trial, six deposition hours and fifteen interrogatories/requests for production/requests for admission per party, supplementation within 14 days and no later than 21 days before trial with exclusion of late material, a mandatory Certificate of Discovery Conference on every discovery motion, telephone or electronic discovery hearings on request, and 30-day post-judgment discovery objections.
Justice Court, Precinct 1 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Court Procedures for eFile Texas Filings and Copy Fee Assessment (eff. Apr. 30, 2026)
Judge Ralph Swearingin Jr.'s local rule for Justice Court Precinct One (effective Apr. 30, 2026): eFile Texas filings of five pages or fewer per envelope carry no copy fee and may be filed through eFile Texas Self-Help; filings of more than five pages per envelope incur copy fees of $1 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page and must be filed through eFile Texas, not eFile Texas Self-Help.
Justice Court, Precinct 1 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Discovery (eff. July 1, 2015; rev. Apr. 30, 2026)
The Tarrant County Justice Courts' Local Rules for Discovery as adopted for Precinct One by Judge Ralph Swearingin Jr. (effective July 1, 2015; revised Apr. 30, 2026): pretrial discovery only by court order (TRCP 500.8), a general disclosure request no party may object to, a discovery period running from the signed order to 30 days before trial, limits of six deposition hours and fifteen interrogatories, fifteen requests for production and fifteen requests for admission per party, a duty to amend or supplement within 14 days and no later than 21 days before trial with exclusion of late material absent good cause or lack of surprise, a mandatory Certificate of Discovery Conference on every discovery motion, telephone or electronic discovery hearings on request, and 30-day post-judgment discovery objections.
Tarrant County Criminal Courts — Local Rule 5.33: Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings (adopted Mar. 27, 2026)
Rule 5.33 of the Tarrant County Local Rules (Part 5, criminal courts), adopted by majority vote of the criminal judges on March 27, 2026: every motion and brief filed in the county's 21 criminal courts must carry a signed certification stating whether the document was created using artificial intelligence; where A.I. was used the certification must also attest that a human verified every A.I.-generated quotation, source, citation, argument and analysis and that the filer accepts responsibility for the document; the court may demand disclosure of the A.I.-created parts and the tool used; violations and false certifications are sanctionable, including striking the filing or contempt.
Justice Court, Precinct 1 (Tarrant County) — Court Procedures Notice (DWOP progression eff. Mar. 2, 2026; in-person eviction hearings; 20-minute check-in; continuance filing; fees)
Justice Court Precinct 1's posted procedures (page last modified Feb. 11, 2026): effective Mar. 2, 2026 the court follows a "30, 30, Prove Up" progression on the DWOP docket for served-but-unadjudicated cases and a "30, 30, 30" progression for non-service cases, dismissing for want of prosecution the business day after the third period lapses; all eviction hearings are in person and no remote-hearing requests are approved; since Mar. 1, 2023 all parties must check in at least 20 minutes before their scheduled time or be barred from the session (with default or dismissal risk); motions for continuance must be e-filed at least two days before the hearing, in writing and served, and requests with less than 24 hours' notice are not considered; the 2022 civil filing fee ($54) applies to motions for new trial and appeals; the 2021 electronic-communication and non-recording rules are restated.
67th District Court (Tarrant County) — Scheduling Order (Level 1 & 2) and Docket Control Plan (Level 3) standing provisions, eff. 1/2026: no continuance of agreed trial dates; pretrial conference in person; dispositive motions and expert challenges 30 days before pretrial or waived; Daubert hearing procedure by affidavit; trial documents by noon with Word charge e-mailed; exhibits pre-marked, three-hole punched, in tabbed binders
The standing provisions of Judge Donald J. Cosby's scheduling order (Levels 1 and 2) and docket control plan (Level 3), both effective January 2026: the orders bind pro se parties and counsel; deadlines may be modified by Rule 11 agreement except pretrial, dispositive-motion and expert-challenge dates; it is the court's policy not to continue a trial setting the attorneys agreed to, and reset does not move other deadlines absent good cause; lead counsel and pro se parties appear in person at the pretrial conference, where all motions in limine and pretrial motions are presented; dispositive motions and pleas are heard 30 days before pretrial or waived; the joining party serves the order on new parties and responsible third parties are designated by the joinder date; experts not listed are barred absent good cause and challenges are heard 30 days before pretrial or waived, under a Daubert procedure in which the challenge specifies every ground (unspecified grounds waived), the sponsoring party files affidavits or deposition excerpts by 3:30 p.m. four days before the hearing and serves them by 4 p.m., affiants are not presented live, and the objecting party cross-examines; failure to mediate by the deadline is not good cause for continuance; by noon on the court-set date the parties file exhibit lists, separate fact-witness lists, videotaped deposition designations, motions in limine with separate orders, proposed jury questions and instructions (named per party and e-mailed to the coordinator in Word) and a vocabulary list in medical-malpractice cases; exhibits are pre-marked, three-hole punched, in labeled three-ring binders with numbered tabs (Local Rule 3.0), originals to the court reporter the morning of trial; the Level 3 plan adds pleading-amendment cutoffs, deposition hour limits, a mediation objection deadline ten days before mediation, summary-judgment hearings no less than 30 days before pretrial, and a Daubert challenge filing 15 days before the hearing, and states that the plan prevails over TRCP and local-rule deadlines but not Chapter 74 statutory deadlines.
Justice Court, Precinct 1 (Tarrant County) — Civil Fee Schedule and Payment Rules (eff. Jan. 1, 2026; updated Nov. 4, 2025)
Justice Court Precinct 1's fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026 (updated Nov. 4, 2025): $54 justice filing fee plus a $90 constable service fee per defendant for small claims, debt claims, evictions and repair-and-remedy suits ($144 total; $90 for each additional defendant); $5 writ fees with $180 constable fees for writs of execution, possession, attachment, sequestration, retrieval and re-entry; $64 appeal fee plus the county court's own fee; $22 jury fee; certified copies $2 and regular copies $1 for the first page; subpoenas $90 plus a $10 cash-tendering fee; and payment rules — filings and payments accepted until 4 p.m. except appeals, no temporary or personal checks, a 2.35% credit-card convenience fee, and criminal fines payable online or by phone only for adult defendants, with payment constituting a plea of nolo contendere.
Justice Court, Precinct 1 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Court Procedure on Non-Compliance with TRCP 510.16(b) Plaintiff Duties in Eviction Default Judgments (eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
Judge Ralph Swearingin Jr.'s local rule for Justice Court Precinct One (effective Jan. 1, 2026; bilingual notice): every eviction plaintiff seeking a default judgment must give the clerk, in writing, the defendant's known e-mail address and mailing address at or before the time the judgment is signed (TRCP 510.16(b)); if the judge allows extra time, the documents must reach the court by 4:00 p.m. on the day of trial; otherwise the default request is denied and the case is dismissed for want of prosecution, without prejudice, on the next business day.
Justice Court, Precinct 5 (Tarrant County) — Instructions if the defendant is located outside Tarrant County (2026): plaintiff supplies the serving agency's name, address and phone and its service fee by money order or cashier's check, one form per defendant
Justice Court Precinct 5's 2026 instruction sheet (Judge Sergio L. De Leon): when a defendant in a small claims or debt claim case is to be served outside Tarrant County it is the plaintiff's responsibility to give the court the name of the constable, sheriff or other agency that will serve the citation, its address and phone number, and the agency's service fee, paid by money order or cashier's check payable as that agency instructs; a copy of the form is submitted for each defendant.
342nd District Court (Tarrant County) — Dress Code for Courtroom Proceedings (Nov. 10, 2025)
Judge Kimberly Fitzpatrick's 342nd District Court dress code (dated Nov. 10, 2025): courtroom participants — attorneys and staff, parties and representatives — wear business attire (suit; dress; skirt or tailored slacks with a professional top; sport coat with dress slacks, collared shirt and tie) and may be excluded from participating otherwise; visitors may not wear shorts, tank tops, ball caps or T-shirts, with business casual generally acceptable; the court decides propriety case by case.
432nd District Court (Tarrant County) — Standing Order Regarding Requests to Modify a Bail Decision (Oct. 7, 2025)
Judge Ruben Gonzalez Jr.'s standing order for the 432nd District Court (Oct. 7, 2025): any request to modify a bail decision must be a written motion complying with Local Rule 5.31 and filed with the District Clerk, stating the factual or legal basis and whether it rests on a change in circumstances since the bail decision; a general desire for lower bail or fewer conditions is not enough; oral requests and requests by e-mail to the court or its staff are not considered.
Criminal District Court No. 2 (Tarrant County) — Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery (May 27, 2025)
Judge William A. Knight's standing omnibus discovery order for Criminal District Court No. 2 (May 27, 2025): the State may release medical records, grand jury records including grand jury testimony, DFPS records, criminal histories, juvenile records (if previously released by the presiding juvenile judge) and prior juror service to defense counsel without a formal motion; the State may withhold if it requests a formal hearing; defense counsel is barred from disclosing or repurposing protected information and must return or destroy the records at the conclusion of the case.
Justice Court, Precinct 2 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: eFile Submission Copy Fees (eff. Feb. 1, 2025)
Judge Mary Tom Curnutt's local rule for Justice Court Precinct Two (dated Jan. 14, 2025; effective Feb. 1, 2025): eFile Texas envelopes of five pages or fewer incur no copy fees and may be filed through eFile Texas Self Help; envelopes of more than five pages incur copy fees of $1.00 for the first page and 25¢ for each additional page and must be filed through eFile Texas, not eFile Texas Self Help.
396th District Court (Tarrant County) — Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery (Jan. 9, 2025)
Judge Vincent Giardino's standing omnibus discovery order for the 396th District Court (Jan. 9, 2025), re-adopting the court's Oct. 12, 2021 order (Judge George Gallagher) for the current bench: the State may release medical records, grand jury records, DFPS records and criminal histories to defense counsel without a formal motion (withholding permitted if the State requests a formal hearing); defense counsel may not disclose or repurpose protected information and must return or destroy the documents at the conclusion of the case.
Justice Court, Precinct 2 (Tarrant County) — Youth Diversion Plan (eff. Jan. 1, 2025; CCP art. 45.306)
Judge Mary Tom Curnutt's order adopting the Justice Court Precinct 2 Youth Diversion Plan under Code of Criminal Procedure art. 45.306(b), effective Jan. 1, 2025: applies to children alleged to have committed fine-only misdemeanors other than traffic offenses; eligibility per art. 45.304 (no prior unsuccessful diversion, no successful diversion in the previous 365 days, no prosecutor objection, written consent of parent and child); an eligible child who goes to trial must be offered diversion instead of an adjudication of guilt; a $50 administrative fee from the parent only if agreed, waived for indigence; diversion strategies (teen court, educational programs, counseling, community service up to 20 hours, restitution up to $100, etc.) and prohibited strategies for home-schooled children; a written diversion agreement; successful completion bars prosecution and records are expunged at 18; unsuccessful completion may be referred for prosecution.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Tarrant County) — Youth Diversion Plan (eff. Jan. 1, 2025; CCP art. 45.304–45.312)
Justice Court Precinct 4's Youth Diversion Plan, effective Jan. 1, 2025 and published on the court's web page (last modified Jan. 29, 2025): applies to children alleged to have committed fine-only misdemeanors other than traffic offenses; court staff serve as diversion coordinators; art. 45.304 eligibility (no prior unsuccessful diversion, none successful in the previous 365 days, no prosecutor objection, written consent of parent and child); an eligible child who goes to trial must be offered diversion before any adjudication of guilt and is found guilty and sentenced only if the family declines; a $50 administrative fee from the parent only if agreed, waived for indigence; diversion strategies (teen court, school and educational programs, counseling, mentoring, restitution up to $100, community service up to 20 hours); protections for home-schooled children; a signed written diversion agreement; successful completion bars prosecution and records are expunged at 18; unsuccessful completion may be referred for prosecution.
Justice Court, Precinct 7 (Tarrant County) — Youth Diversion Plan (signed Dec. 17, 2024; eff. Jan. 1, 2025; CCP art. 45.306)
Judge Kenneth D. Sanders's order adopting the Justice Court Precinct 7 Youth Diversion Plan under Code of Criminal Procedure art. 45.306(b) (signed Dec. 17, 2024; effective Jan. 1, 2025): the same statutory plan structure as Precinct 2's — fine-only non-traffic misdemeanors by children aged 10–16; art. 45.304 eligibility (no prior unsuccessful diversion, none successful in the past 365 days, no prosecutor objection, written parent-and-child consent); mandatory diversion offer before an adjudication of guilt; a $50 parental fee only if agreed, waived for indigence; strategies from teen court to counseling, restitution up to $100 and up to 20 hours of community service; protections for home-schooled children; expunction at 18 on successful completion.
Tarrant County Criminal Courts — Standing Order Regarding Certain Discovery Matters (No. 3393, July 16, 2024)
County-wide criminal discovery standing order (No. 3393) signed July 16, 2024 by the district judges giving preference to criminal cases, the criminal district judges and the statutory county criminal judges of Tarrant County: in all pending cases prosecutors may release medical records, grand-jury records, DFPS records, criminal-history information and juvenile records to defense counsel without a motion to release (and may withhold them on a successful motion); defense counsel must keep control of released records, may not reproduce or share them — including with the defendant or the defendant's family — without a court order, and must return or destroy them when the case, including any postconviction proceedings, is finally disposed of.
Tarrant County Criminal Courts — Standing Order Sealing Personal Information About Jurors (No. 3394, July 16, 2024)
County-wide criminal standing order (No. 3394) of July 16, 2024: in all cases, information collected during jury selection about a person who serves as a juror — home address, home telephone number, social-security number, driver's license number and other personal information — must be filed under seal and is not publicly available or otherwise disclosed unless the court orders otherwise (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 35.29(a); Tex. R. App. P. 9.10(g)).
Tarrant County Criminal Courts Nos. 1–10 — Standing Order Regarding Transfer of Cases Between Courts (No. 3392, July 16, 2024)
Standing order (No. 3392) of the ten statutory county criminal court judges of Tarrant County, signed July 16, 2024: a certificate of proceedings or similar document filed in a case's record showing an intent to transfer the case to another county criminal court is treated as an agreed transfer order complying with all laws and local rules on transfers between statutory county courts.
Justice Court, Precinct 7 (Tarrant County) — Court Notices: all hearings in person, no Zoom (eff. Apr. 1, 2024); continuances or resets at least one business day ahead (eff. July 15, 2024); e-filing after 3:30 p.m. accepted next business day; appeals not by eFile
Justice Court Precinct 7's standing notices on its court page: effective Apr. 1, 2024 no Zoom request is approved and every hearing is held in person without exception; effective July 15, 2024 the court will not consider any continuance or reset requested within one business day of the hearing — requests for any case type must be received at least 24 hours (one business day) before the hearing begins; e-filed cases received after 3:30 p.m. are accepted the next business day; appeals are not accepted through eFile; the court produces the first copy free and charges $1 for the first page and $0.25 per additional page for service copies; filings and payments are received until 4 p.m. and appeals until 5 p.m.
96th District Court (Tarrant County) — Standing Order in Limine (June 18, 2024): 59 matters not to be mentioned before the venire or jury without a ruling outside the jury's presence — collateral sources, insurance, settlements, unrelated claims and injuries, counsel's practice or fees, undesignated witnesses and unproduced documents, immigration status, § 18.001 affidavit limits, business-records affidavit limits
Judge J. Patrick Gallagher's ten-page Standing Order in Limine for the 96th District Court (June 18, 2024), which the court's trial instructions say governs every jury trial so that only uncovered limine matters are heard: 59 numbered subjects may not be referred to, alluded to or insinuated before the venire or jury until admissibility is determined outside the jury's presence — among them mischaracterizing opposing counsel's questions; parties' or lawyers' personal lives and politics; committing venire members on the facts; reading law to the jury before the charge is approved; golden-rule arguments; collateral-source benefits (Haygood); whether the plaintiff paid medical bills or has a letter of protection unless the provider testifies; taxation of recovery; unrelated claims, suits, injuries or accidents; subsequent remedial measures; personal habits and drug or alcohol use absent a bench showing; tax-return failures; how counsel was retained or is paid; characterizing counsel's practice; accident statistics; undesignated witnesses and unproduced documents (TRCP 193, 194); lawsuits against and income of expert witnesses; lay medical opinions; police-officer opinions before qualification; criminal convictions, incarceration, traffic citations, license suspensions and prior accidents; unadmitted documents and pleadings; parties' financial status and governmental resources; uncalled or equally available witnesses; hearsay statements of absent witnesses; employment refusals; photographs and videos before tender; discovery demands, witness-list requests and discovery disputes before the jury; negligent entrustment against governmental entities; payments, settlements and settlement offers; insurance and carrier identity, insurance-industry voir dire, 'regardless of who pays', responsibility or capability to pay a judgment; litigation costs; attorney-client communications; attorney's fees without a basis; counsel's personal opinions; comments on other witnesses' credibility; immigration status; references to limine motions; advice on the effect of answers; CPRC § 18.001 affidavits limited to reasonableness and necessity, admitted but still submitted to the jury, with controverted affidavits both excluded absent stipulation ('knock-out' view) and cross-examination rules; and Rule 902(10) business-records affidavits limited to Rule 803(6) averments while opinions and diagnoses in the attached records are admissible.
Justice Court, Precinct 2 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Continuance Requests (eff. June 6, 2024)
Judge Mary Tom Curnutt's local rule for Justice Court Precinct Two (effective June 6, 2024): the court will not consider any continuance request made within 24 hours of a hearing; every continuance request must be received at least 24 hours before the scheduled hearing begins.
Tarrant County Justice Courts — Turnover and Receiver Local Rule (eff. Mar. 26, 2019; rev. Mar. 18, 2024)
The Tarrant County Justice Courts' local rule for post-judgment turnover and receivership (CPRC § 31.002, drawing on Chapter 64), effective Mar. 26, 2019 and revised Mar. 18, 2024: the court of appropriate jurisdiction is exclusively the justice court that rendered the judgment; applications must attach the judgment, describe the non-exempt property, prove it by evidence (affidavit permitted), address notice — the courts strongly prefer notice and a hearing and deny ex parte requests absent evidence of necessity — and identify the proposed receiver with contact information, attorney status, experience, résumé, proposed compensation, oath and bond; proposed orders must recite the § 31.002 prerequisites, identify the judgment and balance, limit the receiver's powers (typically financial accounts and records), forbid turnover directly to the creditor and of exempt property, set a term (180 days preferred; one year absent essential necessity; never beyond five years), set fees conditionally subject to later proof and court approval, require the receiver's oath within 10 days, bar disbursement to the creditor without the debtor's written consent or court order, and require a termination order or inventory within 30 days; enumerated powers (opening mail, lockouts, cash on hand, utility interruption, directing law enforcement without writ, overbroad third-party orders, master-in-chancery appointments, turnover of exempt wages) will not be granted absent special circumstances; orders are enforceable by contempt.
Justice Court, Precinct 2 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Electronic Appearance Requests (eff. Mar. 14, 2024)
Judge Mary Tom Curnutt's local rule for Justice Court Precinct Two (effective Mar. 14, 2024): all proceedings are in person; electronic appearances are allowed only at the court's discretion, on a request received at least 24 hours before the hearing, and only where extenuating circumstances are present.
Justice Court, Precinct 6 (Tarrant County) — Court Standing Order: Substitute or Alternate Service, TRCP 501.2(e) and 510.4(c) (Feb. 29, 2024)
Judge Jason M. Charbonnet's standing order for Justice Court Precinct Six (entered Feb. 29, 2024): substitute or alternate service under TRCP 501.2(e) and 510.4(c) is not authorized until the serving agency shows due diligence of at least two service attempts at two different times of day, morning and afternoon; attempts may be on the same day but at least two hours apart.
372nd District Court (Tarrant County) — Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery (Jan. 5, 2024)
The 372nd District Court's standing omnibus discovery order (ordered Jan. 5, 2024; filed Feb. 7, 2024): the State may release medical records, grand jury records, DFPS records and criminal histories to defense counsel without a formal motion (withholding permitted if the State requests a formal hearing); defense counsel may not disclose or repurpose protected information and must return or destroy the documents at the conclusion of the case.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Tarrant County) — Court Standing Order: Substitute or Alternate Service, TRCP 501.2(e) and 510.4(c) (Nov. 20, 2023)
Judge Christopher Gregory's standing order for Justice Court Precinct Four (entered Nov. 20, 2023): substitute or alternate service under TRCP 501.2(e) and 510.4(c) is not authorized unless the serving agency shows due diligence on at least two occasions at all of the defendant's addresses in the county where the premises are located, on two different days and at two different times — at least one morning attempt and one afternoon attempt on separate days; the judge retains discretion to approve or deny any request.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Tarrant County) — Court Standing Order: Emergency Mental Health Warrant Applications (Nov. 17, 2023)
Judge Christopher Gregory's standing order for Justice Court Precinct Four (entered Nov. 17, 2023): an applicant seeking the emergency detention of a person in Precinct 4 under Health & Safety Code § 573.012 must present the application personally to the Precinct 4 court; applicants who do not reside in Precinct 4 must first verify that their own precinct's judge is unavailable; MHMR may help complete applications but all coordination with the court is done by the applicant.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Electronic Communications via eFile Texas, E-mail or Fax (eff. Nov. 17, 2023)
Judge Christopher Gregory's local rule for Justice Court Precinct Four (effective Nov. 17, 2023): all communications between the court and litigants in every case are sent through eFile Texas (preferred), e-mail or fax and must include a valid e-mail address; written communication is accepted at the court window only on a limited basis; court notices, copies and judgments issue from JP4court@tarrantcountytx.gov; litigants must immediately report changes to their e-mail address.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Non-Recording of Court Proceedings and Staff Communication (eff. Nov. 17, 2023)
Judge Christopher Gregory's local rule for Justice Court Precinct Four (effective Nov. 17, 2023): recording, taping or photographing by any means is strictly prohibited for any party participating in a proceeding remotely or in person, and for any party communicating with court staff at any time by any means, including in secure office space and the judge's chambers; violators may be held in contempt.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule: Preferred Filing Method (e-filing; Nov. 17, 2023)
Judge Christopher Gregory's local rule for Justice Court Precinct Four (Nov. 17, 2023): e-filing is the preferred filing method for all cases — paper filings are accepted but strongly discouraged; electronic court documents have been the official record since Nov. 1, 2019; pro se litigants and attorneys are strongly advised to submit evictions, small claims, debt claims and later filings through eFile Texas Self-Help or eFile Texas, e-mail or fax; a kiosk in the court office serves litigants without computer access; cases eFile Texas cannot accept are submitted in person.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Tarrant County) — Standing Judicial Order: Defendant's Extension to Pay, Payment Plans and Modification of Payments (eff. Nov. 17, 2023)
Judge Christopher Gregory's standing order for Justice Court Precinct Four (effective Nov. 17, 2023): for defendants pleading guilty, nolo contendere or no contest in person, electronically or by first-class mail with a request for time to pay (after the CCP art. 103.0033 application), the pay schedule is Option 1 by amount due ($99 or less — 30 days; $100–$299 — 1–3 months; $300–$499 — 4–5 months; $500 or more — 6 months), Option 2 monthly payments of $50 or 20% whichever is greater due the 30th, or Option 3 payment in full within 30 days; a 20%/$50 initial payment establishes the plan; capias pro fine defendants pay in full unless the judge approves otherwise; longer plans need the judge's approval; one modification of up to 10 days; no extensions by telephone; a $15 time-payment fee applies after the 30th day from judgment.
Justice Court, Precinct 6 (Tarrant County) — Court Standing Order: Emergency Mental Health Warrant Applications (Nov. 6, 2023)
Judge Jason M. Charbonnet's standing order for Justice Court Precinct Six (entered Nov. 6, 2023): an applicant seeking the emergency detention of a person in Precinct Six under Health & Safety Code § 573.012 must present the application personally to the Precinct Six court; applicants who do not reside in Precinct Six must first verify that their own precinct's judge is unavailable; MHMR may help complete applications but all coordination with the court is done by the applicant.
Justice Court, Precinct 7 (Tarrant County) — Local Rule Prohibiting Recordings, Tapings and Photography in the Courtroom or Secured Office (eff. Nov. 6, 2023)
Judge Kenneth D. Sanders's local rule for Justice Court Precinct Seven (effective Nov. 6, 2023): video or audio recording, taping or photographing by any means within the courtroom, the judge's chambers and the secure office space is strictly prohibited for all participants and spectators in remote or in-person proceedings unless prior authorization is given; misuse or disregard may result in contempt.
231st District Court (Tarrant County) — Court Rules & Procedures (rev. Oct. 25, 2023)
The 231st District Court's posted Court Rules & Procedures (revised Oct. 25, 2023): no children in court without prior approval; a detailed dress code; phones off and no recording (devices may be confiscated); no conferences or gum in the courtroom; pretrials conducted by the coordinator with backup trial dates that must be honored; scheduling orders required in all contested cases; mediation ordered in most cases absent abuse allegations; social/home studies in contested custody cases; 180-day dismissal dockets cleared only by a Motion and Order to Retain walked through before the dismissal date; ex parte mail returned; ad litem list by résumé and conflict statement; 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. dockets; telephonic appearances by agreement set up in advance; proposed jury charges in Word on a thumb drive, proposed property divisions and witness lists on the day of trial; exhibits pre-marked numerically with .mp4 video; income and expense statements before contested temporary-orders hearings per the Local Rules.
231st District and Associate Court (Tarrant County) — Guidelines for Scheduling Hearings (rev. Oct. 24, 2023)
The 231st District and Associate Court's scheduling guidelines (revised Oct. 24, 2023): protective orders set Tuesdays in the Associate Court, with e-filed ex parte orders walked through in person; enforcement orders to appear walked through for signature; extraordinary-relief TROs and emergency motions walked through with the affiant available, preferably 9:00–9:30 a.m.; do not e-file a plain TRO in an initial temporary-orders proceeding; notices of hearing e-mailed to the coordinator; orders walked through any weekday at 9:00 a.m.; prove-ups requiring a record, pretrials and adoptions scheduled through the coordinator; final trials set at pretrial; DWOP notice about two months ahead with a Motion and Order to Retain; writs walked through in person.
371st District Court (Tarrant County) — Standing Order Regarding Certain Discovery Matters (No. 3095, Aug. 23, 2023)
Judge Ryan Hill's standing discovery order for the 371st District Court (No. 3095, Aug. 23, 2023): prosecutors may release medical records, grand-jury records, DFPS records, criminal histories and juvenile records to defense counsel without first filing a motion to release (withholding permitted if the court conducts a formal hearing on the dispute); defense counsel may not disclose protected information or use it outside the case and must return or destroy the documents once the case is finally disposed of.
Tarrant County Family Law Local Rules — Part 4: Rules for Disposition of Family Law Cases (eff. June 1, 2023)
Part 4 of the Tarrant County Local Rules, effective June 1, 2023 and approved by Judges James Munford (322nd) and Kenneth Newell (233rd), governs the family district courts: pretrial conferences with lead counsel and in-person self-represented litigants (4.01(1)); three days' notice for temporary relief and no modification hearing before the answer deadline absent an affidavit (4.01(3)); Rule 21d notice content (4.01(4)); medical/dental support orders and income-withholding writs with every child-support order (4.01(6)–(7)); transfer and consolidation in the earliest-filed case and protective-order transfers (4.01(8)); a mandatory certificate of conference before any setting, two-business-day date-coordination attempts and immediate written notice of settings (4.01(10)); ex parte presentment order (CPS associate judges first in Chapter 262 cases; otherwise the assigned district judge, then that court's associate judge) with a signed certification (4.01(11)); amicus/ad litem copies within five days (4.01(12)); vacation letters 30 days ahead with a 10/22-business-day cap (4.01(14)); decorum and device rules (4.01(15)); daily first-come prove-ups and a no-judge-shopping rule (4.02); trial settings and associate-judge final trials by written waiver (4.03); a 15-minute appearance window, financial documents seven days before hearings and mediation, inventories within 120 days, orders within 60 days of rendition, and court reporters for associate judges only on enforcement days (4.05); continuances (4.06); deposition and production guidelines incl. drop-box certificates of written discovery (4.07); custody-evaluation confidentiality with a seven-day presumption and 30-day pre-trial distribution (4.08); and a ban on filing judges' or attorneys' personal contact information (4.09).
Tarrant County Criminal Courts — Standing Order Regarding Files of the Community Supervision and Corrections Department (May 2023)
Standing order of the District Courts Giving Preference to Criminal Cases, the Criminal District Courts and the Statutory County Criminal Courts of Tarrant County treating Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) files as court files: on written request either the defense attorney or the prosecutor in a pending Tarrant County case may obtain the defendant's chronological-history information (CSCD may redact; objections go to the supervising court); the information may be filed only under a sealing order, may not be further disseminated, and anything else in the CSCD file requires an order of the supervising court; third parties must move the supervising court; the written request must carry a prescribed acknowledgement. Enforceable by contempt; supersedes Administrative Orders No. 2461 (Mar. 24, 2021) and No. 2613 (Nov. 17, 2020).
Tarrant County Juvenile Board — Indigent Defense Plan (eff. May 17, 2023)
The Juvenile Board's indigent defense plan governs how counsel is appointed for indigent juveniles: indigence determination, a four-tier attorney qualification ladder, and appointment from the approved list in rotation (the juvenile appointment wheel).
Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 — Standing Order for Jury Trials and Pre-Trial Proceedings (Misc. Order 2023-9002, eff. May 1, 2023)
Judge Mike Hrabal's standing order for jury trials in Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 (Misc. Order 2023-9002, adopted Apr. 26, 2023, effective May 1, 2023): no continuances of jury trials absent extenuating circumstances (agreed continuances require a hearing; multi-attorney firms must justify why an associate cannot try the case); a pre-trial proceeding for at least three cases is held not less than one business day before trial, where all pre-voir-dire matters must be raised — motions in limine and exhibits not taken up there are not considered in the case in chief absent agreement or leave; attorneys and witnesses for at least two cases must appear ready on the morning of voir dire (settled cases must contact the coordinator; failure to appear risks dismissal for want of prosecution or default); remote participation by witnesses and parties requires prior approval sought at the pre-trial (CPRC § 30.012(b)) or a Rule 11 agreement.
Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 — Standing Order for Remote Hearings Before the Court (Misc. Order 2023-9001, eff. May 1, 2023)
Judge Mike Hrabal's standing order for remote hearings in Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 (Misc. Order 2023-9001, adopted Apr. 26, 2023, effective May 1, 2023): the court conducts Rule 21d proceedings by Zoom with the court reporter hosting; parties must keep a current e-mail on file, alert the coordinator two business days ahead if appearing by phone only, and witnesses in evidentiary matters may not appear without video absent agreement or approval; exhibits must be e-mailed to all parties, the court reporter and the judge by 4 p.m. the business day before the hearing (and may be filed by noon that day) in .pdf with a prescribed subject line, or they will not be considered; responses e-filed less than two business days before a proceeding must also be e-mailed to the judge and opposing counsel; proceedings remain open through YouTube; recording is prohibited. In any conflict with the Tarrant County Local Rules this order governs.
Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 — Standing Order for Remote Trials Before the Court (TBC) (Misc. Order 2023-9003, eff. May 1, 2023)
Judge Mike Hrabal's standing order for bench trials in Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 (Misc. Order 2023-9003, adopted Apr. 26, 2023, effective May 1, 2023): trials before the court are conducted virtually by Zoom unless the parties agree or the case is particularly complex — a party objecting to a remote TBC must file more than seven days before trial and obtain a hearing at least three business days before; audio-only attorneys must alert the reporter and coordinator 48 hours ahead; exhibits must be e-mailed to all parties, the court reporter and the judge by 4 p.m. the day before in .pdf with a prescribed subject line or the court cannot consider them; witnesses must appear by video (with state-issued identification) unless alternate arrangements are made more than 24 hours before trial, and the offering attorney is responsible for the witness's technology and exhibit access; proceedings stay open via YouTube and recording is prohibited.
Criminal District Court No. 3 (Tarrant County) — Standing Administrative Order on Bond-Related Filings (No. 2947, Jan. 18, 2023)
Judge Douglas Allen's standing administrative order for Criminal District Court No. 3 (No. 2947, signed Jan. 18, 2023): any bond-related filing indicating that the court will set the bond is amended to provide that the bond is set by a duly appointed Tarrant County Criminal Law Magistrate.
360th District Court (Tarrant County) — Self-Represented Litigant Instructions (Judge Patricia Baca Bennett; rev. Jan. 10, 2023)
Judge Patricia Baca Bennett's registered instructions for self-represented litigants in the 360th District Court (rev. Jan. 10, 2023): file with the District Clerk, not the coordinator; waivers must be signed and notarized after the petition is filed; agreed or default decrees without children go to 360coordinator@tarrantcounty.com after the 61-day waiting period; where children are involved the six-hour online co-parenting course is REQUIRED and the Domestic Relations Office (817-884-1879) reviews the children's provisions; the coordinator sets the final hearing with at least 60 days' notice; appear at 12:30 p.m. on the 4th floor of 200 E. Weatherford in appropriate attire (no shorts or flip flops; no children); bring the approved final order plus the required attachments; unpaid filing fees may be heard; the court follows the Fort Worth ISD inclement-weather schedule.