Casey L. Blair

86th District Court — Court Rules and Procedures (current posted edition)

Judge Casey Blair's court rules for the 86th (the current edition posted on the court's page, which extends the Nov-2024 registered edition): the party setting a motion contacts the court for dates and e-files a separate notice of hearing with a certificate of conference; unagreed orders e-filed 5 business days before hearing (rejected if 30+ days early); certificate-of-conference regime with administrator-set hearings; a judge-approval list for show-cause, habeas, attachment, garnishment, injunctive, protective, and TRO-extension orders; TRCP 21 removal/reset; agreed final settings require a scheduling order that includes mediation, completed at least 5 weeks before trial; dilatory pleas heard ≥10 days pre-trial; summary-judgment motions set (in person or by submission) by the filing party; scheduling conferences mandatory absent an agreed order (trial date fixed at temporary orders); optional pretrial conferences with strict attendance/authority rules; a DWOP regime (60-day inaction, 30-day notice, retention by motion-to-retain, 30-day judgment-submission rule, 10-day objection letters); TRCP 10 withdrawals (not within 30 days of trial); TRO/ex-parte presentment with 2-hour notice or certified excuse plus the A–D contact certifications; 10-day letters with prescribed notice language; continuances in writing (one by agreement; others set for hearing with a certificate and proposed reset dates); Zoom rules (evidentiary Zoom needs prior approval, exhibits to the court reporter two days ahead, no in-person-to-Zoom conversion within 3 days of court, NO criminal Zoom settings); professional attire; criminal defendants attend every setting (appearances cannot be waived by agreement); trial dates required with temporary orders; and the court's A/V equipment familiarization request tied to its standing A/V order.