Skip to main content

Zapata County

Fourth Administrative Judicial Region (Region 4) · official region site ✓ · County seat: Zapata

Rules that apply here (county → region → statewide)

Preview of 25 instruments. All 2 county-scoped rules → search all three layers.

Standing OrdersZapata County · Judge Jose A. Lopez

Standing Discovery Order — 49th District Court, Zapata County (Judge Joe Lopez; criminal cases; entered in each case)

The 49th District Court's per-case criminal discovery order for Zapata County: fifteen working days before trial the State furnishes its witness list, the defendant's statements and recordings, and permits inspection and copying of seized items, physical evidence, exhibits, demonstrative aids, psychiatric and medical reports, business and government records, warrants and affidavits, lab and scientific results and lineups; discloses deals with cooperating witnesses, the defendant's NCIC/TCIC and Zapata County arrest record, Brady material, impeaching convictions and extraneous conduct, and transcribes grand jury testimony; both sides disclose expert witnesses twenty working days before trial; work product and witness statements are excluded until tendered at trial; compliance occurs in the State's presence at defense cost, both sides have a continuing duty to disclose, and further discovery requires a written motion under Art. 28.01.

High confidence· verified September 7, 2026Standing Discovery Order, 49th District Court of Zapata County, Texas, Judge Joe Lopez, Judge Presiding, 49th District Court, Webb and Zapata County (per-case form order; undated) — posted by Webb County (www.webbcountytx.gov, Download Center) as "Criminal Standing Discovery Order - Zapata".
Case ManagementZapata County · Judge Jose A. Lopez

Pre-Trial Guideline Order — 49th Judicial District Court, Zapata County (Judge Jose A. Lopez; the court's civil scheduling-order form)

The 49th District Court's pre-trial guideline order for civil cases in Zapata County: discovery level, a jury or trial date at 8:30 a.m. and a final pre-trial conference at 1:30 p.m. in the 49th District Court of Zapata, by which motions in limine, jury questions and instructions, exhibit and witness lists and a prepared charge must be filed (by 5:00 p.m. on the pre-trial date, or they will not be considered); deadlines for amended pleadings, expert designations under Rules 194 and 195, discovery cut-off 30 days before trial (up to trial in divorces), ADR and interpreter needs, Robinson motions at least 60 days before trial and summary-judgment motions at least 45 days before pre-trial; Level Three parties may adopt a Rule 190.4 discovery control plan and request pre-trial conferences no later than 90 days before trial.

High confidence· verified September 7, 2026Pre-Trial Guideline Order, 49th Judicial District Court, Zapata County, Texas, Judge Jose A. Lopez (per-case form order; undated) — posted by Zapata County (www.co.zapata.tx.us, 49th District Court page) as "Pre-Trial Guideline Order".
AppealsFourth Administrative Judicial Region

Fourth Administrative Judicial Region of Texas — Procedures for Attorney Fee Appeals (signed January 17, 2017; effective for decisions on or after January 20, 2017)

The Fourth Region's presiding-judge procedures for court-appointed attorneys' fee appeals under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.05, applying to the district and county courts of the region's twenty-two counties: an appeal lies from a trial court's attorney-fee decision or from its failure to decide within the 60-day period of article 26.05(c); the appeal packet (the written documentation sent to the trial court, a copy of the court's decision with the written findings and reasons article 26.05 requires, and a motion or letter explaining why the decision should be modified) must be sent to both the Presiding Judge and the trial court within fourteen days after the attorney receives notice of the decision, by e-mail with PDF attachments or by hard copy to the region's office at the Bexar County Courthouse; the trial court may modify its findings or decision in writing within five days of receiving the packet, sending the modification to the Presiding Judge and the attorney; and the Presiding Judge "determine[s] the appropriate amount of payment" under article 26.05(c) and notifies the attorney and the trial court. Signed January 17, 2017 by Presiding Judge David Peeples; effective for decisions made on or after January 20, 2017.

High confidence· verified September 8, 2026Procedures for Attorney Fee Appeals in the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region, paragraphs (1)–(8), signed January 17, 2017 by Presiding Judge David Peeples (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.05(c)); posted on the region page https://www.txcourts.gov/4ajr/ (media/1436965).
Local RulesFourth Administrative Judicial Region

Fourth Administrative Judicial Region of Texas — Rules of the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region (adopted March 8, 1993)

The thirteen region-wide rules of the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region (the 22-county South Texas region), adopted by the Council of Presiding Judges at Austin on March 8, 1993: time standards for disposition (criminal trial within 180 days of indictment, civil jury 18 months and non-jury 12 months from appearance, contested family cases 6 months and uncontested 3 months, juvenile detention hearings the next business day with adjudication within 10 or 30 days and disposition within 15), complex-case allowance, continuances only as the rules permit and one agreed pass; monthly OCA reports to the regional presiding judge; county boards of judges must adopt uniform local rules for civil, family/juvenile and criminal cases, a jury plan, a judicial-absence plan and a rule for regular judges' meetings; local rules must follow the region's numbering and take effect only on approval by the presiding judge and the Supreme Court; conflicting-engagement priorities (criminal, statutory preference, preferential settings, earliest setting, earliest filing, multi-judge counties yield to rural counties); four weeks' attorney vacation on 90 days' written notice; pretrial motions three days before docket call and certified requests for settings; and courtroom decorum.

High confidence· verified September 7, 2026Rules of the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region of Texas, Rules 1–13, adopted by the Council of Presiding Judges meeting in Austin on March 8, 1993 (Supreme Court Misc. Docket No. 93-0247 per the TOPICs registration) — 365th District Court print posted by Maverick County (co.maverick.tx.us; file-stamped by the Maverick District Clerk September 29, 2021), with TOPICs registration doc 321 as the dual receipt.
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

N.D. Tex. LR 81.1 — Required Form of Documents to be Filed Upon Removal

N.D. Tex. LR 81.1 — Required Form of Documents to be Filed Upon Removal: 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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

N.D. Tex. LR 79.4 — Disposition of Sealed Documents

N.D. Tex. LR 79.4 — Disposition of Sealed Documents: 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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026
Local RulesStatewide

N.D. Tex. LR 79.3 — Sealed Documents

N.D. Tex. LR 79.3 — Sealed Documents: 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.

High confidence· verified September 26, 2026