Lauren Melhart

Policies of the 153rd District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's Guidelines and Policies page (Policies_of_the_153rd_District_Court.pdf)

The 153rd District Court's posted policies: all participants pass security screening and sign in with the bailiff, who seats them; calm and civil conduct; business attire (suits, dresses, blouses or sweaters with skirts or tailored slacks; suits or sport coats with collared shirt, tie and dress slacks), attorneys not so dressed may be excluded from hearings and trials; phones and devices off except counsel's on silent at the tables; no photographs or recording without the judge's express permission; no food, beverages other than water in a spill-proof container, gum or candy; discourteous conduct may bring removal or arrest under Penal Code § 38.13.

153rd District Court Trial Guidelines, Tarrant County — posted on the court's Guidelines and Policies page (Trial_Guidelines.pdf)

The 153rd District Court's trial guidelines: trial hours 9:30–4:30 with lunch 11:45–1:00 and a day's notice if trial will run past 5:00; witnesses and parties stay out of restricted areas and in assigned conference rooms; the courtroom's presentation equipment (document camera, touch-screen monitors, HDMI/VGA, Wi-Fi, WebEx with the judge's approval), no office supplies; counsel stand at the podium and ask permission to move, approach a witness or the bench; a voir dire package from the bailiff, group then individual voir dire with no cause challenges before the panel; voir dire reported only on request; exhibits numbered per the exhibit list, displayed digitally, oversized exhibits with letter-size copies retained by the reporter; demonstratives not marked by opponents; deposition excerpts tendered before reading, video depositions with a marked transcript for the reporter; witnesses remain seated unless permitted; interim summations in long trials; each side's proposed charge in Microsoft Word to the reporter and a copy of the charge to each juror.

Court Rules (courtroom rules/decorum poster and Uniform Dress Code for Denton County Courts), 158th District Court, Denton County (2 pp, image-only) — posted on the court's page

The two-page 'Court Rules' posting on the 158th District Court's page: a courtroom rules and decorum poster — electronic devices must be turned off (not silent, vibrate or airplane mode) unless the court authorizes in advance, punishable by contempt with a fine up to $100 and up to 180 days in jail; appropriate attire (no shorts, no tank tops) or the visitor is asked to leave; no drinks, food, gum or chewing tobacco; no talking, even whispering, while the judge hears another case — and the Uniform Dress Code for Denton County Courts: no shorts, hats or caps, flip-flops, halter, midriff, open, unbuttoned, low-cut, tank or open-back tops, leggings unless covered, offensive clothing, sweat suits or exercise clothing, pajamas or sunglasses.

Local Rules of the 18th and 249th Judicial Districts, Johnson and Somervell Counties (eff. Jan. 1, 1994; approved by the Supreme Court Misc. Docket 93-0239) (www.johnsoncountytx.org/home/showpublisheddocument/720; custody 2026-09-06).

The local rules of the 18th and 249th Judicial District Courts (Johnson and Somervell Counties), approved by the Supreme Court: decorum, the setting process for jury and non-jury cases (the 18th sends jury cases to mediation; the 249th makes mediation optional), conflicting settings, and criminal case procedure.

18th District Court Court Rules, revised June 5, 2026 (Judge Sydney B. Hewlett) (www.johnsoncountytx.org/home/showpublisheddocument/20335; custody 2026-09-06).

Judge Sydney B. Hewlett's court rules for the 18th District Court: certificates of conference, agreed orders and prove-ups, motions to withdraw and to enter, income-withholding orders, temporary orders, discovery motions, disposition timetables, jury-trial scheduling, mediation before long final hearings, and summary judgment by submission.

Practice Tips for the 211th District Court (Judge Brody Shanklin; administrator Theresa Portales; 3 pp) — posted on the court's page

The 211th District Court's practice tips: to set a hearing, file the motion with a certificate of conference, wait for the District Clerk's acceptance, then e-mail court administrator Theresa Portales with the opposing side copied (cause number and style in the subject, the motions to be set, total time needed), agree on the offered dates with all parties (responding alone only if the other side is silent for 24–48 hours), and e-file the notice of hearing once confirmed; for every hearing or trial present one copy each of the witness list, exhibit list and pre-marked exhibits to Judge Shanklin, the court reporter and the opposing side at least ten minutes before the start, plus a thumb drive of the exhibits for the court reporter, and follow the county Standing Order Regarding Evidence; non-jury settings come in one-day, half-day and one-hour blocks, anything longer set as a backup to jury trials with docket call ten days before; TRO requests and protective-order applications are handled by submission with a Certificate of Ex Parte Relief attached and no appearance unless instructed; jury trials are set only after the jury fee is paid and a jury demand is on file, by e-mail with the other side copied; a trial or final hearing comes off the docket only by a heard or agreed continuance order signed by the judge, or a notice of settlement with the final order due within 30 days under the local rules.

Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery, 213th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County (Aug. 5, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 3083)

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.

213th District Court — Rules of Conduct for Counsel While in Trial (page last modified May 14, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

The 213th District Court's trial-conduct rules as posted on its court page (page last modified May 14, 2015): be on time, brief legal objections, stand to object, no responding to objections without leave, no talking over others, no racist, sexist, obscene or profane language except when quoting the facts; bring appropriate clothing for in-custody clients to the bailiff before trial; challenges for cause at the conclusion of voir dire; witnesses present, ready and dressed appropriately (no shorts or T-shirts); no bench conferences except in extraordinary circumstances; no pointing firearms at anyone in the courtroom; ask permission to approach a witness or the court reporter.

231st District and Associate Court — Guidelines for Scheduling Hearings (rev. Oct. 24, 2023), Tarrant County — posted on the court's county web page

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.

231st Court Rules & Procedures (rev. Oct. 25, 2023), 231st District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's county web page

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.

Standing Order Regarding Self-Represented Litigants, 231st District Court, Tarrant County (Mar. 1, 2021) (TOPICs reg. doc 530)

The 231st District Court's standing order (Mar. 1, 2021): in uncontested divorces, modifications and suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed on or after March 1, 2021 where neither party has an attorney and the final order uses the Supreme Court/TexasLawHelp form, the self-represented litigants must have their proposed final orders reviewed by the Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office (Legal Support Services, 817-884-1879) and hand the completed Uncontested Docket Checklist to the court immediately before prove-up; no prove-up is conducted without it.

Standing Order Regarding Self-Represented Litigants, 233rd District Court, Tarrant County (Nov. 2019) (TOPICs reg. doc 531)

The 233rd District Court's standing order (signed Nov. 2019): in uncontested divorces filed after January 1, 2020 where neither party has an attorney and the decree uses the Supreme Court/TexasLawHelp form, self-represented litigants must have their final divorce documents reviewed by the Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office (Legal Support Services, 817-884-1879) and hand the completed Uncontested Docket Checklist to the court immediately before prove-up; no prove-up without it.

Cooke County District Clerk — Information for Filing a Divorce Pro Se (rev. Aug. 12, 2022) (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3105/docs/District%20Clerk/F-%20Information%20for%20Filing%20a%20Divorce.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County District Clerk's information for a self-represented divorce in the 235th District Court: the fees and payment methods, the 60-day waiting period, the agreed-divorce walk-in prove-up window, and the contested-case setting.

Cooke County District Clerk page — Tips for E-Filing and the re:SearchTX transition (www.co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.DC; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County District Clerk's e-filing tips for the 235th District Court and the transition to re:SearchTX for electronic delivery of orders and notices in civil and family cases.

Erath County Pro Se Divorce instruction sheet (District Clerk) (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/6822; custody 2026-09-06).

The Erath County District Clerk's instruction sheet stating the 266th District Court's requirements for a self-represented divorce: the documents to file, the standing-order and AI-order certificates, in-person notarization, and the rule that all paperwork is filed before a court date is set.

Administrative Order — Procedures for Dissolution of Marriage When a Child Is Born During Marriage (Appendix B to the 266th Local Rules; signed July 2022) — TOPICs reg. doc 2022.

The 266th District Court's administrative order (Appendix B to the local rules) prescribing how a divorce proceeds when a child is born during the marriage but the parties agree the husband is not the biological father: rebuttal of the paternity presumption by acknowledgment or by adjudication.

Local Rules of the 266th Judicial District Court, Erath County (adopted July 1, 2022; registered Aug. 7, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 2022.

The local rules of the 266th Judicial District Court of Erath County (adopted July 1, 2022): time standards, courtroom decorum, the calendar and setting process, criminal and civil pretrial practice, motion practice, trial procedure, and withdrawal and judgment submission.

Standard Criminal Discovery Order — Appendix A to the 266th District Court Local Rules (eff. July 1, 2022) — TOPICs reg. doc 2022.

The 266th District Court's standard criminal discovery order (Appendix A to the local rules): the State's self-executing article 39.14 disclosures on indictment, restrictions on the use of criminal histories, and the defendant's remaining filing duties.

Standing Order Regarding Property and Conduct of the Parties in Divorce Cases and SAPCRs — Appendix C to the 266th Local Rules (July 1, 2022 edition) — TOPICs reg. doc 2022.

The 266th District Court's standing order (Appendix C to the local rules, July 1, 2022 edition) restraining the parties in every divorce and suit affecting the parent-child relationship: the children, conduct, property, records, insurance, the pre-hearing conference requirement, and the pre-trial inventory and proposals.

266th Judicial District Court Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (signed Aug. 17, 2026; registered Sept. 2, 2026) — TOPICs reg. doc 3115.

The 266th District Court's artificial-intelligence standing order: a self-represented litigant or attorney who uses AI must sign and submit the attached certification before using any AI-generated information in a submission.

271st District Court Standing Order Re: Inactivating Tax Suits with Payment Letter for Plaintiff's Attorney (signed July 15, 2025) — TOPICs reg. doc 2450.

A standing order of the 271st District Court inactivating a delinquent-tax suit when the taxing entity's attorney notifies the court of a written payment plan, until the suit is dismissed or foreclosure resumes.

271st District Court Standing Order Regarding Mandatory Disclosures in Tax Cases Filed in Jack County and Wise County (signed Jan. 23, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 1788.

A standing order of the 271st District Court exempting property-tax lawsuits from the automatic-disclosure requirement of Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 194.

Rules of Practice in the 271st Judicial District Court of Jack County, Texas (Wise and Jack Counties; registered Sept. 4, 2025) — TOPICs reg. doc 2541.

The Rules of Practice of the 271st Judicial District Court, which sits in Wise and Jack Counties, governing civil and criminal practice — settings and dockets, discovery and mandatory disclosures, child-support and juvenile matters, and a detailed criminal-proceedings sequence (arraignment, announcement, final docket call, pleas, and probation revocations).

271st Judicial District Court Standing Order Re: Inactivating Tax Suits with Payment Letter (Wise and Jack Counties; signed July 15, 2025; Judge Brock R. Smith) — TOPICs reg. doc 2543.

A standing order of the 271st Judicial District Court (Wise and Jack Counties) allowing a delinquent-tax suit to be placed on the inactive list when the taxing entity's attorney notifies the court in writing that the parties have entered a written payment plan.

271st Judicial District Court Standing Order Re: Sealing of Child Protective Service Cases (Wise and Jack Counties; signed June 26, 2025) — TOPICs reg. doc 2544.

A standing order of the 271st Judicial District Court (with the Wise County Courts at Law) sealing and keeping confidential all Child Protective Service case files, with no non-party access absent a court order.

Jack County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties (271st Judicial District; eff. Apr. 20, 2021) — TOPICs reg. doc 2542.

The 271st Judicial District Court's family standing order, entered in every divorce and suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed in Jack County, restraining both parties on the conduct of the children, communication between the parties, and the preservation of property and records, and ordering the parties to mediate.

297th District Court — Rules of Conduct for Counsel While in Trial (page last modified June 30, 2023), Tarrant County court web page

The 297th District Court's trial-conduct rules (page last modified June 30, 2023): be on time, brief legal objections, stand to object or address the court; bring appropriate clothing for in-custody clients to the bailiff before trial, or advise the court at least 24 hours before trial if unable; challenges for cause at the end of voir dire, with questionnaires and seating charts provided by the court; witnesses present, ready and appropriately dressed; counsel responsible for unsworn witnesses' compliance when the sequestration rule is in effect; no pointing firearms at anyone in the courtroom; ask permission to approach a witness or the court reporter.

30th District Court Standard Docket Control Order — Bench Trial (wichitacountytx.com/download/30th-district-court-standard-docket-control-order-bench-trial; custody 2026-09-06).

The 30th District Court's standard docket control order for bench trials: a fixed deadline framework the parties may not modify, dispositive-motion practice, mediation and a pretrial conference.

30th District Court Standard Docket Control Order — Jury Trial (wichitacountytx.com/download/30th-district-court-standard-docket-control-order-jury-trial; custody 2026-09-06).

The 30th District Court's standard docket control order for jury trials: the same fixed deadline framework as the bench-trial order, with the matter set on the jury-trial docket.

30th District Court Standing Order Regarding Indictments Assigned to State Special Prosecution Unit (signed July 19, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 2008.

A standing order assigning to the 30th District Court all Wichita County grand-jury indictments prosecuted by the State Special Prosecution Unit for offenses committed on Texas Department of Criminal Justice property (the James V. Allred Unit).

30th District Court Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (signed Mar. 26, 2024) — part of TOPICs reg. doc 1866 (a single print carrying the 30th, 78th and 89th orders).

The current Wichita County district-courts artificial-intelligence standing order, applied to the 30th District Court: a joint order of the 30th, 78th and 89th District Courts requiring a signed certification before any AI-generated information is used in a submission, and banning recording and AI use in the courtroom and court offices.

324th District Court Procedures, Tarrant County — posted on the court's county web page (Procedures.pdf)

The 324th District Court's posted procedures: final orders signed by all parties are walked through (attorneys' e-filed proposed orders are no longer processed; self-represented litigants may still e-file); extraordinary-relief TROs walked through, never e-filed; represented litigants need not attend pretrials, scheduling orders carry mediation and a status conference 8–9 weeks before trial; hearing dates obtained by e-mail to the coordinator with all counsel copied and a Notice of Court Proceeding (never e-filed) before a setting is docketed; associate-court hearings at 8:30 a.m. with protective orders and enforcements on Wednesdays; withdrawal by client letter setting an 8:30 a.m. date with proof of notice and an order carrying the client's e-mail and future settings; motions to enter instead of 10-day letters when all parties are represented; prove-ups and defaults at 8:30 except adoptions; interpreters arranged two weeks ahead; an Order to Appear on any MSA or agreement; DWOP cleared by a Motion for Pretrial Scheduling Order and contact with the coordinator within 3 days.

Standing Order Regarding Self-Represented Litigants, 324th District Court, Tarrant County (2020) (TOPICs reg. doc 532)

The 324th District Court's standing order (2020): in uncontested divorces, modifications and SAPCRs filed after March 1, 2020 where neither party has an attorney and the final order uses the Supreme Court/TexasLawHelp form, self-represented litigants must have their final documents reviewed by the Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office (Legal Support Services, 817-884-1879) and hand the completed Uncontested Docket Checklist to the court immediately before an in-person prove-up — or e-file it if the hearing is virtual; no prove-up without it.

325th District Court — Frequently Asked Questions: Court Policies, Tarrant County court web page (last modified June 22, 2015)

The 325th District Court's FAQ on court policies (page last modified June 22, 2015): no formalized docket call — cases on the monthly trial docket are usually called ten days before the Monday of the week requested but may be called as late as 24 hours before; the court expects the legislative possession and child-support guidelines to be followed in waiver and default divorces unless there is a satisfactory explanation for deviating; no predetermined time limits, though the court may hold attorneys to the time announced and may impose limits at the start of a hearing on a pre-trial motion or associate-judge appeal; telephone conferences are encouraged for any non-evidentiary motion if all counsel agree, scheduled through the coordinator; the court's guidelines for possession of children under three are available on request as a starting point; most divorcing parents must attend a class on the effect of divorce on children, other classes ordered case by case, the class waived where unavailable, and for good cause the court has signed decrees without certificates on file.

325th District Court — Frequently Asked Questions: Procedures and Filings, Tarrant County court web page (last modified June 22, 2015)

The 325th District Court's FAQ on procedures and filings (page last modified June 22, 2015): the court does not accept filings by fax or e-mail (arrangements are with the District Clerk); preferential settings require a compelling reason such as out-of-area litigants or witnesses, age of case or sensitivity; an expedited hearing is requested by motion detailing the need, accompanied by a notice of hearing; cases approaching six months are set for pre-trial conference by the court (attorneys may request one anytime), a pre-trial scheduling order issues at its conclusion, litigants and attorneys must know the contested issues, whether a jury is needed and the trial length, most conferences are on Fridays and attorneys may appear by telephone; requests to continue a final trial are in writing, signed by the attorney and client, made as soon as the need appears, and decided on the facts; unless abuse toward a spouse or child is alleged most cases are referred to mediation with a consensus mediator, and a case may be referred to ADR before temporary orders on request or the court's motion.

Standing Order Regarding Self-Represented Litigants, 325th District Court, Tarrant County (Mar. 2020) (TOPICs reg. doc 533)

The 325th District Court's standing order (Mar. 2020): in uncontested divorces filed after March 1, 2020 where neither party has an attorney and the decree uses the Supreme Court/TexasLawHelp form, self-represented litigants must have their final divorce documents reviewed by the Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office (Legal Support Services, 817-884-1879) and hand the completed Uncontested Docket Checklist to the court immediately before prove-up; no prove-up without it.

342nd District Court Docket Call Procedure — Jury and Non-Jury Trial Cases (June 17, 2022; posted as Docket_Call_Procedures_5-21-26.pdf) and Jury Charge Criteria, Tarrant County — posted on the court's Court Rules and Procedures page

Judge Kimberly Fitzpatrick's 342nd District Court docket call procedure (dated June 17, 2022; the current posting): all trial documents e-filed by noon Monday of the pretrial-conference week — exhibit and witness lists, motions in limine, proposed charge or findings, and a letter to the judge reporting the parties' conferral on pre-admitted exhibits and disputed limines and any pretrial motions — with deposition page-and-line designations filed and objections to opposing designations delivered (highlighted condensed transcripts, yellow for plaintiff and orange for defendant, plus a proposed order) by 5 p.m. the Wednesday before trial; proposed charge or findings e-mailed in Word with case type, days needed and witness count; trial check-in 8:15 a.m., juror cards by e-mail from 3 p.m. the day before, shuffle requests by 8 a.m.; an in-person pretrial conference Thursday at 1:30 p.m. the week before trial; a signed Rule 11 settlement agreement filed before the pretrial hearing to leave the docket; reset requests by 5 p.m. Wednesday; exhibits per Local Rule 3.03(c) in binders for the court, reporter and each opposing party, redacted, pre-marked, tabbed and indexed, numbered without alphabetical sub-parts; oversized exhibits with letter-size copies and physical exhibits with photos; audio in mp3 and video in mp4 on USB drives, no links. The companion Jury Charge Criteria sheet requires the charge in Book Antiqua 12-point with one-inch margins and footer page numbers, e-mailed in Word by Monday noon of the pretrial week or the trial may be reset.

342nd District Court Dress Code for Courtroom Proceedings (Nov. 10, 2025), Tarrant County — posted on the court's county web page

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.

Friendly/Minor Prove-up Hearing Requirements, 342nd District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's Court Rules and Procedures page

The 342nd District Court's requirements for minor settlement (friendly suit) prove-ups: all required documents must reach the court by noon the day before the hearing or it is cancelled, with the listed documents due by noon two days before — the guardian ad litem's report (injuries, last treatment date, other recovery sources, whether bills are paid with a residual breakdown, liability facts) and fee order e-filed; the settlement agreement, final judgment with all signatures, expense list if not waived, payout breakdown and minor information sheet e-mailed to the court; counsel not waiving case expenses must explain and itemize them; attorneys charging a minor more than one-third of the proceeds must be prepared to explain the case's complexity.

Notice of Hearing / How to Request a Hearing, 342nd District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's Court Rules and Procedures page (NoticeofHearing.pdf)

The 342nd District Court's hearing instructions: confirm the date before sending a notice of hearing; the notice states whether the hearing is in person, by Zoom or by submission, which motions will be heard and the time allotted; orders and responses filed per the Rules of Civil Procedure or by noon the day before; where the motion and response exceed 50 pages a notebook is delivered two days before the hearing (9–11 a.m. or 2–4 p.m.); hearings are requested by e-mail or phone with the cause number and style, motions, filing date, lead attorney, desired timeframe, format and time needed; some hearings must be in person; Zoom links go out about a day before.

Temporary Restraining Order – TRO (TROProcedure.pdf) and Certificate of Conference in Compliance with Tarrant County Local Rules for Ex Parte Relief (TROCertificateOfCompliance.pdf), 342nd District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's Court Rules and Procedures page

The 342nd District Court's TRO procedure: the plaintiff's original petition, application for TRO, supporting affidavit, certificate of conference under the Tarrant County Local Rules for ex parte relief, and proposed order granting the TRO must all be on file before the TRO is presented; counsel then calls the court to set a time, and the judge may hear the TRO by phone, Zoom or in person. The court's companion Certificate of Conference form tracks the three Local Rule 3.30(c) alternatives (opponent unrepresented; opposing counsel notified and does not wish to be heard; diligent unsuccessful attempts to notify).

348th District Court — Court's Policies and Procedures (page last modified June 16, 2026), Tarrant County court web page

The 348th District Court's posted policies (page last modified June 16, 2026): proposed orders submitted in Word by e-mail to 348DC@tarrantcountytx.gov; when a motion, response, reply and exhibits together exceed 50 pages, the party requesting the hearing must deliver a tabbed binder with a table of contents by noon the day before or the hearing may be cancelled; all exhibits in hard copy except audio/video files, numerically marked, tabbed and in binders, two copies (witness/jury/court reporter and a courtesy copy for the judge); Zoom-hearing exhibits e-mailed to the court at least one hour before; audio and video exhibits in MP3 or MP4 up to 10 GB per the Second Court of Appeals' requirements, brought on a flash drive for the court reporter.

About 352nd District Court — Arriving at the Courthouse: Procedures, Decorum & Attire (Court-Procedures-Decorum-and-Attire.pdf), 352nd District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's page

The 352nd District Court's posted procedures, decorum and attire sheet: visitors pass the security station and metal detectors at the Tarrant County Justice Center (weapons forbidden; pockets emptied and bags screened; allow time for screening and elevators); conduct in the hallways and courtrooms is quiet, calm and dignified; no shorts, short skirts, low-cut blouses, sleeveless shirts, hats or other inappropriate attire; no food or beverages in most courtrooms; no newspapers or distracting activity in the gallery; cell phones, pagers and devices off or silent, no calls, no texting or electronic communication without the judge's explicit permission, no photographs or audio or visual recording without the judge's express permission; the judge and bailiff control the courtroom and may remove noisy, sleeping, disruptive or gesturing visitors; questions for Judge Burgess go through the bailiff, and he answers what he is ethically permitted to answer.

352nd District Court Remote Hearing Procedures; 352nd District Court Inclement Weather Policy — posted on the court's county web page

Judge Josh Burgess's 352nd District Court remote hearing procedures: Zoom hearings hosted by the court reporter (Michelle Escobar); the coordinator must have a participant's e-mail at least 72 hours before any hearing; telephone-only participation coordinated with the reporter the day before; exhibits e-mailed to all parties, the coordinator and the reporter by 4:00 p.m. the day before in .pdf with the cause number and "Plaintiff's/Defendant's Exhibits" in the subject, or the court cannot consider them; witnesses must appear by video on their own feed with identification ready. The court's separate inclement-weather policy follows the Fort Worth ISD closure schedule.

Scheduling Order (form with standing provisions; Josh Burgess, Judge Presiding), 352nd Judicial District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's page

The standing provisions of the 352nd District Court's Rule 166 scheduling order form (Judge Josh Burgess): new parties joined and served six months before trial, the joining party serving a copy of the order; any objection to an expert's qualifications or the reliability of an opinion made within 30 days after receiving the report or the deposition (or within 30 days of the order if those dates have passed) and heard no later than 30 days before trial, or waived, the objecting party being responsible for obtaining the hearing; discovery per the TRCP level unless modified; mediation or a hearing on an objection to mediation four weeks before trial, with a court-appointed mediator failing agreement and sanctions for non-participation; dispositive motions heard 30 days before trial; for every hearing or trial a courtesy copy of any filing over 50 pages marked 'Judge's Copy' delivered to chambers; the trial week setting is not preferential and unreached cases are reset by the court.

Hood County District Clerk — Electronic Filing and Service (www.hoodcounty.texas.gov/courts/355th_district_clerk/efile.php; custody 2026-09-06).

The Hood County District Clerk's electronic-filing rule for the 355th District Court: when e-filing began and the mandate that subsequent criminal filings be e-filed.

Local Rules of the 355th Judicial District Court, Hood County (adopted Dec. 28, 2022) — TOPICs reg. doc 499.

The local rules of the 355th Judicial District Court of Hood County (adopted December 28, 2022): time standards, courtroom decorum, the calendar and setting process, criminal and civil pretrial practice, motion practice, trial procedure, and withdrawal and judgment submission.

Standard Discovery Order — Appendix C to the 355th District Court Local Rules (filed Dec. 28, 2022) — TOPICs reg. doc 499.

The 355th District Court's standard criminal discovery order (Appendix C to the local rules) under the Michael Morton Act: the State's production duties, expert and Daubert timing, the continuing duty, and the defendant's remaining filing duties.

Standing Order Exempting Mandatory Disclosure in Delinquent Tax Cases — Appendix E to the 355th District Court Local Rules (signed Dec. 2, 2021) — TOPICs reg. doc 499.

The 355th District Court's standing order (Appendix E to the local rules) exempting delinquent-tax cases from the mandatory-disclosure requirement of Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 194.

360th Guidelines Concerning Notice of Proceedings (TRCP 21d), 360th District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's county web page

The 360th District Court's guidelines on Rule 21d notices of proceedings: evidence is taken only after both sides have proper notice; the notice should tell parties that evidence is submitted under the Texas Rules of Evidence; the court's bailiffs are the Rule 21d "designated persons"; all hearings are in person unless extraordinary circumstances exist and the remote-proceeding rules are followed; exhibits marked by number with copies to each party, the amicus/ad litem and the court reporter; complex property cases need an Excel spreadsheet of assets; audio in MP3 and video in MP4 (no .mov; 5 GB cap); in hybrid or remote evidentiary settings, documentary evidence goes to the court reporter and all counsel by 10:00 a.m. the business day before as text-searchable, unencrypted PDFs (OCR'd scans; 100 MB cap) with account and Social Security numbers redacted. The court states the language is "not mandatory" and that non-compliance "is not an independent ground for exclusion of evidence."

360th District Court Self-Represented Litigant Instructions (rev. Jan. 10, 2023), Judge Patricia Baca Bennett, Tarrant County (TOPICs reg. doc 1013)

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.

Exhibit Rules, 362nd Judicial District Court of Denton County (Crystal Butler, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Bruce McFarling) — posted on the court's page

The 362nd District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Crystal Butler, Judge Bruce McFarling): exhibits pre-marked on the front of the first page, numbered only (no letter combinations), offered in any order; in family cases marking as Mother, Father, Husband, Wife is preferred; more than a few exhibits in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of requested-relief exhibits for the judge; audio and video exhibits to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, played on the court's system from the party's own laptop, no contemporaneous verbatim record absent good cause, playable in Windows Media Player or VLC; video-deposition recordings entered as exhibits; the court reporter needs no separate set and no advance delivery, PDF copies on a flash drive preferred but required only for audio and video; witness and exhibit lists preferred before the hearing; parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before the hearing on stipulations.

Exhibit Rules, 367th Judicial District Court of Denton County (Robin Newton, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Brent Hill) — posted on the court's Practice Tips page

The 367th District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Robin Newton, Judge Brent Hill): parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before a hearing or trial on stipulations; exhibits pre-marked on the front of the first page, preferably top right, numbered only, no duplicates across motions in the same hearing; in family cases marking as Mother, Father, Husband, Wife is preferred; more than a few exhibits in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of requested-relief exhibits for the judge; audio and video exhibits to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, played on the court's system from the party's own laptop, with no contemporaneous verbatim record absent good cause and playable in Windows Media Player or VLC; the court reporter needs no separate paper set and does not need exhibits before the day of hearing; PDF copies on a flash drive preferred, flash drives required only for audio and video and for final hearings and trials; witness and exhibit lists preferred before the hearing.

Practice Tips: 367th District Court (Judge Brent Hill; court administrator Debra Jones) — county web page dentoncounty.gov/1714

Judge Brent Hill's practice tips page for the 367th District Court: e-mail is the preferred and, for hearing dates, cancellations and settlement announcements, the required mode of communicating with the court administrator, and no one contacts the judge unless directed; parties' and children's full names, not initials (Family Code); settings at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with full-day trials at 8:30 a.m.; dockets of full day, half day, over one hour and one hour or less; hearings are set by e-mailing the administrator, conferring with the other side on the offered dates without the administrator copied, then confirming and e-filing a notice of hearing; temporary hearings limited to 30 minutes per side absent special circumstances raised at the start; docket call on a Friday at 8:30 a.m. about ten days before full-day and jury trials; divorce prove-ups by submission with all signatures on the decree and a prove-up affidavit on file, or in person by appointment; conferencing on dates required in ongoing cases with two business days to respond, availability defined, failure to confer forfeits the hearing; mediation mandatory before final hearing, not mediating does not continue the trial, fees may be assessed for forcing a motion for mediation, DCAP orders must attach each party's Exhibit A or are rejected, outcome letter places settled cases on the entry docket; the entry docket (about twice monthly, Thursdays 8:30 a.m.) is a built-in motion to enter and counsel attends if the order is not entered first; the court's exhibit rules govern witness and exhibit lists; child interviews are set with the companion hearing and children are not brought to court.

371st District Court — Rules of Conduct for Counsel While in Trial (page last modified May 14, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

The 371st District Court's trial-conduct rules as posted on its court page (page last modified May 14, 2015): be on time, brief legal objections, stand to object, no responding to objections without leave, no talking over others, no racist, sexist, obscene or profane language except when quoting the facts; bring appropriate clothing for in-custody clients to the bailiff before trial; any basis for a challenge for cause must be completely developed during voir dire of the panel; witnesses present, ready and dressed appropriately; no bench conferences except in extraordinary circumstances; no pointing firearms at anyone in the courtroom; ask permission to approach a witness or the court reporter.

Standing Order Regarding Certain Discovery Matters, No. 3095, 371st Judicial District Court, Tarrant County (Aug. 23, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1533)

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.

Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery, 372nd District Court, Tarrant County (Jan. 5, 2024; filed Feb. 7, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1888)

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.

2024 TRO, TEXPO, Writ Requirements, 393rd District Court, Denton County (Judge Karen Alexander; administrator Baylee Latchaw) — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's requirements for emergency temporary restraining orders, temporary ex parte protective orders and writs: e-file the petition or application, supporting affidavit, certificate of ex parte relief and proposed order, taking care that the proposed order is its own separate lead document so it reaches the court's queue, and wait for the file-marked copies of the first three; then send a courtesy e-mail to the court administrator (Baylee Latchaw) with the cause number and style and copies of all four documents, copying the opposing party or counsel only if they have appeared or the certificate requires it; the judge reviews and decides how to proceed, including whether an appearance is necessary, and no one appears unless Judge Alexander directs.

Common Reasons Orders Are Rejected, 393rd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's checklist of why proposed orders are rejected (identical to the 442nd's): a final decree of divorce is rejected when the record does not show the petition on file more than 60 days, service on or a proper waiver by the respondent, both parties' signatures on the order, or a prove-up affidavit or declaration on file when the order is reviewed; a modification or SAPCR order when service or waiver or both signatures are missing; an adult name-change order when the petition does not meet Family Code § 45.102, is unverified or lacks a prove-up affidavit, the fingerprint card is illegible or incomplete, the petitioner has an offense above a Class C misdemeanor (requiring an in-person prove-up), or the order does not meet § 45.103; a child name-change order when all conservators or parents have not been served or waived or both signatures are missing.

Exhibit Rules, 393rd District Court, Denton County (Kimberly Buchanan, CSR, Official Court Reporter; 5 pp) — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's five-page exhibit rules (official court reporter Kimberly Buchanan): all parties pre-mark and pre-number exhibits on the front of the first page matching the exhibit list exchanged with all parties, the court and the reporter; stipulations encouraged, admissibility otherwise ruled on when offered; numbers not letters, offered in any order; audio or audio-visual recordings played in court are entered as exhibits and no contemporaneous verbatim record is made unless the court orders; audio recordings require a verbatim written transcript identifying each speaker (highlight key portions beyond five pages) and audiovisual equipment must be tested the week before or its use is not allowed; parties mark their own unmarked exhibits; oversized exhibits come with marked 8½×11 copies; demonstrative aids may be used by all parties and not marked without permission; digital copies of all exhibits go to the court reporter on a flash drive, DVD, e-mail or other device at the pretrial hearing or by 5 p.m. the business day before trial, in the Supreme Court's Uniform Format Manual formats — text-searchable unprotected PDFs, photographs at least 2,048×1,536 pixels, separator pages where the number is not on the image, MP3 audio not over 100 MB and MP4 video not over 5 GB, broken into multiple files if longer.

Self-Represented Litigants — General Instructions; Instructions for finalizing a divorce; Instructions for finalizing a name change, 393rd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's instructions for self-represented litigants: neither the administrator nor the judge can give legal advice; hiring counsel is strongly encouraged (Denton County Bar, North Texas Legal Aid, Friends of the Family, or a court-appointed attorney in CPS cases or jail-seeking enforcement actions); self-represented parties are held to an attorney's standard and research their own filings (texaslawhelp.org, the Law Library); agreed divorces are proved up by affidavit on or after the 61st day after filing by e-filing the respondent's waiver or answer, the prove-up affidavit and the completed agreed decree as separate lead documents, with in-person prove-ups on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. only for those unable to e-file or prepare the affidavit, proper courtroom attire required; an answer or waiver must be on file for the respondent if not served; contested divorces are set for final trial by e-mailing the administrator with both sides included, dates at least 75 days out under the county's local rules, two business days to confer; a final trial cannot be set until the respondent has been served or has answered; default prove-ups in person on Fridays at 8:30 a.m. or by scheduled setting; adult and child name changes filed as separate lead documents, with in-person appearance where criminal history is indicated or both parents do not agree.

Practice Tips for the 393rd District Court — Judge Karen Alexander (last updated April 2024; 8 pp) — posted on the court's page

Judge Karen Alexander's eight-page practice tips for the 393rd District Court (last updated April 2024; the court states they control where they overlap the county's Uniform Rules): child interviews set only with a companion hearing, children not brought to court unless directed; the court administrator is reachable by e-mail only, with all opposing counsel and self-represented litigants copied, only after the file-marked motion is back, and un-copied e-mails are deleted after warning; no contact with the judge; conference on dates required in ongoing cases with two business days for the other side to respond, failure to confer forfeits the hearing; any continuance in a case over 18 months old or off a DWOP docket requires a hearing, agreed ones in younger cases by separate proposed order with a blank reset date; dismissal notices with steps and deadlines; the court's entry docket about twice monthly at 8:30 a.m. in person, one extension typical; the 393rd CPS Requirements 2024 and the TRO/TEXPO/Writ requirements are separate postings; notices of hearing and proposed orders e-filed as separate lead documents; full names of parties and children, not initials; settings at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday–Friday plus an 8:30 a.m. Attorney Zoom Docket on Wednesdays and Fridays, everything else in person absent leave and good cause; the court's scheduling order with actual dates for final and jury trials, docket call for trials of a day or more, pre-trial conferences for jury trials; the court's exhibit list and witness list forms at every hearing with copies for all, pre-marked exhibits to the reporter on USB and hard copies for the judge and witness stand; a summary of requested relief with an extra copy for the court; inventories exchanged before final divorce hearings and an editable proposed property division; mediation mandatory at least 30 days before final trial, DCAP orders with each party's Exhibit A, indigency hearing where a party is certified indigent, outcome letter to the court; motions for summary judgment set with the court's instructions attached to the notice and filed and heard 30 days before trial; agreed divorces proved up by affidavit, with in-person prove-ups Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. for self-represented parties who cannot.

Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery, 396th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County (Jan. 9, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2399; prior edition Oct. 12, 2021, doc 1534)

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.

396th District Court — Rules of Conduct for Counsel While in Trial (page last modified June 12, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

The 396th District Court's trial-conduct rules (page last modified June 12, 2025): be on time, brief legal objections, stand to object or address the court; the typical trial week — Monday morning jury selection with hearings outside the jury's presence in the afternoon, openings and testimony Tuesday afternoon then daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a large touchscreen TV with two HDMI inputs for both parties; counsel must bring appropriate clothing for in-custody clients to the bailiff before trial, or advise the court at least 24 hours before if unable; the court covers juror qualifications, exemptions, scheduling and basic constitutional issues before the parties' voir dire; challenges for cause at the end of voir dire; questionnaires and seating charts provided early; a digital timer for jury selection and argument; witnesses present, ready and appropriately dressed; no pointing firearms at anyone in the courtroom; ask permission to approach a witness.

Parker County 415th District Court page (www.parkercountytx.gov/356; custody 2026-09-06).

The 415th District Court's page: how evidence is handled in remote proceedings and the courtroom attire and decorum guidelines (Presiding Judge Graham Quisenberry).

Court Notices are served in accordance with Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(f)(10), 431st District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 431st District Court's notice on how its orders reach the parties: once a signed order — including the scheduling orders the court issues on its own motion when the parties have not filed an agreed one — is entered by the District Clerk, the clerk transmits the order or notice electronically through re:SearchTX, the statewide portal tied to eFileTexas, which sends Case Notices to the registered e-service addresses of all attorneys of record; under TRCP 21(f)(10) the clerk must use the electronic system and Denton County practice includes no separate physical mailing or individual e-mailing, so no further action by the court is taken.

Exhibit Rules, 431st District Court, Denton County (Cori Warren, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Jim Johnson) — posted under FAQs, Rules & Forms on the court's page

The 431st District Court's exhibit rules (issued through official court reporter Cori Warren for Judge Jim Johnson): parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before a hearing or trial on stipulations to exhibits; every exhibit is pre-marked on the front of its first page with a number only (no letters or letter-number combinations), no duplicate numbers, and exhibits need not be offered in sequence; more than a few exhibits go to the court in a tabbed binder; all exhibits are also brought on a USB drive left with the court reporter and updated if exhibits change; audio and video must play in Windows Media Player or VLC, with paper as PDF, audio as MP3, video as MP4, documents text-searchable and 100 MB or less, recordings 2 GB or less, the party supplying its own laptop; video-deposition recordings played in court are entered as exhibits; the witness and exhibit list is e-mailed to the court reporter by 5 p.m. the business day before trial begins.

Self-Represented Litigants — General Instructions, 431st District Court, Denton County — posted under FAQs, Rules & Forms on the court's page

The 431st District Court's general instructions for self-represented litigants: the court administrator is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice, and the judge, as trier of fact, cannot either; self-represented parties are strongly encouraged to hire counsel (Denton County Bar), are held to the same standard as an attorney and must conduct their own research on what to file and how (texaslawhelp.org, the Law Library at 121 N. Woodrow Lane, Suite 160, Denton); the District Clerk's website has filing forms, e-filing, citation issuance and copy requests but the clerk cannot give legal advice; District Court Administration posts court rules and forms but cannot assist with 431st District Court matters beyond referring the party to the 431st court administrator.

Practice Tips for the 431st District Court (Judge Jim Johnson; question-and-answer format, 8 pp) — posted under FAQs, Rules & Forms on the court's page

The 431st District Court's question-and-answer practice tips: the court's standard Scheduling Order and Discovery Control Plan is used in all cases, with counsel obtaining trial and pretrial dates from the court administrator and e-filing an agreed or proposed order; a Notice of Dismissal Setting issues when a plaintiff takes no action for more than 60 days, fails to appear or announce ready, or under the local rules, avoided by a final order or a trial setting with a signed scheduling order; emergencies and all contact go by e-mail to the administrator; motions to compel are heard on motion with certificate of conference, response and reply, TRCP 215 enforced; all pleadings by e-filing only, settings by e-mail, oral argument permitted or submission by agreement, no fax or e-mail filings, rulings usually announced at the hearing; pretrial matters over an hour set the week before jury trial; briefs concise with Second Court of Appeals or Supreme Court authority preferred, no paper copies, courtesy copies by e-mail as searchable PDF; the court hears discovery disputes itself but may appoint a discovery umpire; mediation is generally required before final trial and a party who has not mediated is not ready; written Ready/Not Ready announcements 5–15 days before trial with dismissal for failure to announce; no agreed passes; continuances and pretrial matters heard by the Friday before, none the day of a jury trial; proposed charges in Word by the Friday before; witness and exhibit lists on the court's forms to the court reporter by the Friday before; voir dire typically 30 minutes per side with strikes for cause after voir dire outside the panel's presence; openings and closings 10–30 minutes; microphone required; the court provides an Elmo and video connections; trial position given at docket call; ad litem appointments per the county local rules by written order; attorneys are expected to follow the Texas Lawyer's Creed.

431st District Court — Denton County, Texas, Trial Docket Guidelines, Re: Announcement Procedures (Judge Jim Johnson, Jan. 13, 2025) — posted as 'Jury Trial Guidelines' on the court's page

Judge Jim Johnson's memorandum to all parties with cases set on the 431st District Court jury docket (Jan. 13, 2025): each attorney and self-represented party submits a written announcement of Ready or Not Ready to the court administrator not less than five nor more than fifteen days before trial, and a party who does not announce at least five days out has its affirmative claims or defenses dismissed with prejudice, costs taxed at the court's discretion; no agreed passes or continuances except as the Denton County local rules permit, and a motion for continuance must be heard by the Friday before trial; short pretrial matters at 8:30 a.m. the morning of trial, lengthy ones by the Friday before; the proposed charge (Word format, in the exact form for the jury, following the TRCP and the Pattern Jury Charges) and the witness and exhibit lists are due to the administrator and court reporter respectively by the Friday before trial; on settlement the administrator is notified promptly and a final judgment, decree or nonsuit must be entered within 30 days of the trial date or the case is dismissed for want of prosecution; backup cases are not released until the administrator's notice on the Monday of trial.

Standing Order Regarding Requests to Modify a Bail Decision, 432nd Judicial District Court, Tarrant County (filed Oct. 7, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2653)

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.

Parker County 43rd District Court page (www.parkercountytx.gov/180; custody 2026-09-06).

The 43rd District Court's dress code and courtroom guidelines, including the ban on recording without a court order (Judge Craig Towson).

43rd District Court Standard Discovery Order [offenses on or after Jan. 1, 2014] (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/82; custody 2026-09-06).

The 43rd District Court's standard criminal discovery order, entered in every case at arraignment for offenses on or after January 1, 2014: the district attorney's production duties, exclusions, the continuing duty and the bar on duplicative motions.

43rd District Court Standard Pretrial Scheduling Order (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/87; custody 2026-09-06).

The 43rd District Court's standard civil pretrial scheduling order, setting the deadlines counted back from the trial date for discovery, witness and expert designations, dispositive motions, mediation and the pretrial conference.

Common Reasons Orders Are Rejected, 442nd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 442nd District Court's checklist of why proposed orders are rejected: a final decree of divorce is rejected when the record does not show the petition on file more than 60 days, service on or a proper waiver by the respondent, both parties' signatures on the order, or a prove-up affidavit or declaration on file when the order is reviewed; a modification or SAPCR order when service or waiver or both signatures are missing; an adult name-change order when the petition does not meet Family Code § 45.102, is unverified or lacks a prove-up affidavit, the fingerprint card is illegible or incomplete, the petitioner has an offense above a Class C misdemeanor (requiring an in-person prove-up), or the order does not meet § 45.103; a child name-change order when all conservators or parents have not been served or waived or both signatures are missing.

442nd District Court CPS Requirements (Judge Tiffany Haertling) (TOPICs reg. doc 1820, registered 02/22/2024)

The 442nd District Court's requirements in child-protection (DFPS) cases: assistant district attorneys provide proposed orders for statutory hearings to all counsel by the Monday before the hearing with the next hearing date filled in; counsel review orders with clients beforehand; since May 1, 2022 all agreed statutory orders are proved up in person by all attorneys and parties — no passes, submissions or Zoom; mediation is mandatory unless good cause is timely shown, scheduled with the Denton County Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (DCAP) before the status hearing and completed at least 30 days before final trial, on a Friday at DCAP only, with all attorneys and parties ordered to attend; the court's CPS Scheduling Order is entered at the status hearing without edits; attorneys ad litem e-mail the court administrator (copying all counsel, the caseworker and CASA) a date- and time-stamped selfie with the child by 3 p.m. the day before each statutory hearing.

Instruction for Self-Represented Litigants, 442nd Judicial District Court (Judge Tiffany Haertling) (TOPICs reg. doc 1831, registered 02/22/2024)

The 442nd District Court's instructions for self-represented litigants (last updated August 2024): neither the administrator nor the judge can give legal advice; hiring counsel is strongly encouraged (Denton County Bar, North Texas Legal Aid, Friends of the Family, or a court-appointed attorney in CPS cases or jail-seeking enforcement actions); self-represented parties are held to an attorney's standard and research their own filings (texaslawhelp.org, the Law Library at 121 N. Woodrow Lane); agreed divorces are proved up by affidavit on or after the 61st day after filing by e-filing the respondent's waiver or answer, the prove-up affidavit and the completed agreed decree as separate lead documents (not before the 61st day — the court cannot hold orders), with in-person prove-ups on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. only for those unable to e-file or prepare the affidavit, proper courtroom attire required; an answer or waiver must be on file for the respondent if not served; contested divorces are set for final trial by e-mailing the administrator with both sides included, dates at least 75 days out under the county's local rules, two business days to confer; a final trial cannot be set until the respondent has been served or has answered; default prove-ups in person on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. or by scheduled setting, attorneys through the administrator; adult and child name changes filed as separate lead documents, with in-person appearance where criminal history is indicated or both parents do not agree.

Practice Tips for the 442nd District Court, Judge Tiffany Haertling (last updated January 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1827, registered 02/22/2024)

Judge Tiffany Haertling's Practice Tips for the 442nd District Court (updated January 2024; the court states they control where they overlap the county's Uniform Rules): child interviews set only with a companion hearing and children never brought to court unless directed; the court administrator reachable by e-mail only, with all opposing counsel and self-represented litigants copied, and only after the file-marked motion is back from the clerk; conferring on dates with two business days for a response before a setting; continuances in cases over 18 months old or off a DWOP docket require a hearing, agreed ones in younger cases by separate proposed order; dismissal notices with steps and deadlines; the court's Entry Docket about twice monthly at 8:30 a.m. in person, one extension; notices of hearing and proposed orders e-filed as separate lead documents, full names (not initials) for parties and children; settings at 9:00 and 1:30 (9:30 Fridays), all in person absent leave and good cause; time-limit dockets; the court's Exhibit List and Witness List for every hearing with pre-marked exhibits on a USB drive for the reporter plus hard copies for the judge and witness stand; a Summary of Requested Relief; inventories exchanged before final hearing with a proposed property division in editable format; mandatory mediation at least 30 days before final trial with DCAP Exhibit As attached; summary-judgment motions filed and heard 30 days before final trial; agreed divorces proved up by affidavit, in-person prove-ups Tuesdays at 8:30; tax suits by submission or the monthly tax docket.

442nd Requirements for Witness Lists, Exhibit Lists, & Exhibits (court reporter Deana Scobee), 442nd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 442nd District Court's exhibit-handling requirements: e-mail courtesy copies of the court's required witness list, exhibit list and the labeled exhibits in PDF to court reporter Deana Scobee by noon the business day before the hearing (or per the scheduling order); exhibits numbered, not lettered; e-mailing does not admit anything and all proposed exhibits are still provided to the judge and opposing side at the hearing per the Practice Tips; include cause number and style in the subject and the hearing date and time in the body; no external or cloud links, each exhibit a separate attached file; bring all exhibits on a USB drive to leave with the court reporter; formats PDF, MP3, MP4; follow the Denton County Standing Order Regarding Evidence; do not forget the summary of requested relief.

Requirements Regarding Emergency TRO, TEXPO or Writ, 442nd Judicial District Court (Judge Tiffany Haertling) (TOPICs reg. doc 1828, registered 02/22/2024)

The 442nd District Court's requirements for emergency temporary restraining orders, temporary ex parte protective orders and writs: e-file the petition or application, supporting affidavit, certificate of ex parte relief and proposed order (the proposed order as its own separate lead document so it reaches the court's queue), wait for the file-marked copies of the first three, then send a courtesy e-mail to the court administrator with the cause number and style, copies of all four documents, and the opposing party or counsel copied only where they have appeared or the certificate requires it; the judge decides how to proceed, and no one appears unless directed.

462nd Criminal Docket Guidelines (Judge Lee Ann Breading; updated July 23, 2024) — posted on the court's page

Judge Lee Ann Breading's criminal docket guidelines for the 462nd District Court (updated July 23, 2024): retained attorneys e-file a letter of representation with the District Clerk, and a motion to substitute counsel with the required signatures if the defendant is already represented; defendants must be present at all settings unless excused; arraignments and announcements on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m., where the status of discovery and any plea offer is reported and bond conditions acknowledged, followed by three announcement settings 60 days apart, after which the case is set for disposition by plea or moves to the jury trial docket (extra settings by exception; cases may move to plea or trial earlier); pleas Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m. as scheduled with the court; docket calls Fridays at 10 a.m. ten days before jury trial; the 462nd Drug Treatment Court sits the first and third Thursdays 3–5 p.m.; all settings are scheduled by court administrator Stacy Fruth.

462nd Hearings & Trials: Policies & Procedures (Judge Lee Ann Breading; updated June 28, 2022) — posted on the court's page

Judge Lee Ann Breading's hearings-and-trials policies for the 462nd District Court (updated June 28, 2022): a case set for jury trial is also set for docket call ten days before, where the order of trial is established and cases may or may not be released; agreement on motions is encouraged and the court does not hear motions on the day of jury trial without prior leave, reserving the right to take child, outcry or confrontation-issue witness testimony after jury selection; the State and defense are encouraged to exchange exhibits and are directed to produce a witness list and exhibit list (the court's forms) to court reporter Kimberly Tinsley by 5 p.m. the Friday before trial; final docket position may be confirmed with court administrator Stacy Fruth on the Friday before the Monday trial.

Exhibit Rules, 467th District Court, Denton County (Jennifer Ryan, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Derbha Jones; 2 pp) — posted on the court's page

The 467th District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Jennifer Ryan, Judge Derbha Jones): parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before a hearing or trial on stipulations; exhibits pre-marked on the front of the first page, numbered only with no letter combinations, no duplicate numbers across motions in the same hearing; in family cases marking as Mother, Father, Husband, Wife is preferred; more than a few exhibits in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of requested-relief exhibits for the judge; audio and video exhibits to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, played from the party's own laptop after familiarizing with the equipment, no contemporaneous verbatim record absent good cause, video-deposition recordings entered as exhibits, playable in Windows Media Player or VLC and compliant with appellate size and format rules (text-searchable PDFs of 100 MB or less; recordings not over 2 GB in the listed formats); PDF copies of all exhibits on a flash drive and witness and exhibit lists before the hearing are preferred.

Exhibit Rules, 477th Judicial District Court of Denton County (Misty Skinner, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Michael Dickens) — posted on the court's page

The 477th District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Misty Skinner, Judge Michael Dickens): parties are ordered to confer before a hearing or trial on stipulations; exhibits are pre-marked on the front of the first page, preferably top right, numbered only (no 1A, A-1, 2A and the like), with no duplicate numbers even across motions heard together; more than a few exhibits come in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of any requested-relief exhibit for the judge to write on; audio and video exhibits go to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, must play in Windows Media Player or VLC, the party brings its own laptop, and no contemporaneous verbatim record of a played recording is made absent good cause; video-deposition recordings are entered as exhibits; witness and exhibit lists are preferred before the hearing begins; for trial a binder of all exhibits plus a flash drive of audio, video and photo exhibits is delivered to the court reporter at the beginning of trial or earlier.

Practice Tips for the 477th District Court (Judge Michael Dickens; court administrator Kim Kunz) — posted on the court's page

Judge Michael Dickens's practice tips for the 477th District Court: e-mail is the preferred and, for hearing dates, cancellations and settlement announcements, the required mode of communicating with the court administrator, and no one contacts the judge unless directed; parties' and children's full names, not initials, in the style and body of pleadings (Family Code); Monday–Wednesday mornings for jury trials and long hearings, Thursdays and Fridays for hearings of an hour or less; hearings are set by e-mailing the administrator, conferring with the other side on the offered dates without the administrator copied, then confirming and e-filing a notice of hearing; temporary hearings limited to 30 minutes per side absent special circumstances raised at the start; docket call on a Friday at 8:30 a.m. about ten days before full-day or jury trials or pro se enforcement motions; divorce prove-ups accepted by submission with all signatures on the decree and a prove-up affidavit on file, or in person by appointment; conferencing on dates is required in ongoing cases, availability defined, and failure to confer may forfeit the hearing; mediation is mandatory before final hearing, not mediating does not continue the trial, fees may be assessed for forcing a motion for mediation, DCAP orders must attach each party's completed exhibits or are rejected, and the outcome letter places settled cases on the entry docket; the entry docket (about twice monthly, Fridays 1:30 p.m.) is a built-in motion to enter, not a dismissal docket, and counsel must attend if the order is not entered first.

481st District Court Policies (Judge Crystal Levonius; coordinator Laurie DiPierro; 6 pp) — posted on the court's page

The 481st District Court's policies (Judge Crystal Levonius; coordinator Laurie DiPierro): in-person proceedings follow Denton ISD or Lewisville ISD weather closures while virtual ones continue; agreed orders signed by every party and attorney with distinctive signatures and a waiver-of-record appearance section need no prove-up; going forward without the other side requires filed or offered proof of notice; a full-day trial is 2½ hours per side, a half-day about 1¼ hours, a one-hour hearing 20 minutes; hearings and trials are set by e-mailing the coordinator, agreeing dates with the other side and e-filing a notice of hearing (bench trials with the court's TBC scheduling order, jury trials with a signed jury scheduling order and a pre-trial hearing by the Wednesday before); trials without a scheduling order or without attempted mediation are limited to 1.5 hours per side, and scheduling orders without a mediator's name are rejected; check in with the bailiff; ex parte requests are e-filed and the coordinator called or e-mailed or nothing happens, TROs must not duplicate the standing orders; any continuance in a case over 12 months old requires a hearing; Zoom appearances only in very limited circumstances; child interviews scheduled in advance, not on the day of trial; silent devices allowed but any sound in a jury trial may draw a $50 fine; display through USB only; cases sealed only after an evidentiary hearing following final judgment; proposed property division (editable) and a financial information statement required when asked to divide property or order support; health-insurance pleading and cash medical support where children have government coverage; TRCP 21c redaction with children's initials in all filings except the SAPCR or divorce petition; motions for new trial decided on the pleadings unless the four listed conditions call for a hearing; defaults scheduled only after the court's checklist is filed; withdrawals within 30 days of trial set for hearing.

Courthouse Dress and Decorum, 67th District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's Court Rules and Procedures page (Courthouse_Dress_and_Decorum.pdf)

The 67th District Court's posted dress-and-decorum sheet: visitors pass security screening at the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building and should plan for the metal detectors and elevators; quiet, dignified conduct in hallways and courtroom; no shorts, short skirts, low-cut or sleeveless tops, hats or other inappropriate attire; no food or beverages; phones and devices off or silent, no calls, texting or other electronic communication without the judge's explicit permission; no photographs or audio/visual recording without the judge's express permission; the judge and bailiff control the courtroom and may remove noisy, sleeping or disruptive visitors.

67th District Court Procedures for Remote Hearings — posted on the court's county web page

Judge Don Cosby's 67th District Court remote hearing procedures: Zoom hearings hosted by the court reporter (Monica Brantley); the coordinator must have a participant's e-mail at least 72 hours before the hearing; telephone-only participation coordinated with the reporter the day before; exhibits e-mailed to all parties and the reporter by 4:00 p.m. the day before in .pdf with the cause number and "Plaintiff or Defendant Exhibits" in the subject, or the court cannot consider them; witnesses must appear by video on a separate feed with identification ready.

Scheduling Order (Level 1 & 2), eff. 1/2026, and Discovery and Docket Control Plan for Level 3 Case, eff. 1/2026 (Donald J. Cosby, Judge Presiding), 67th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's page

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.

78th District Court Docket Control Order — Jury Trial, Civil (wichitacountytx.com/download/dco-jury-civil-trial; custody 2026-09-06).

The 78th District Court's docket control order for civil jury trials: deadlines the parties may modify by agreement unless the trial date changes, expert designations, ADR/mediation, challenges to experts and pretrial materials.

78th District Court Family Law Case Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants (Judge Meredith Kennedy) (wichitacountytx.com/download/pro-se-instruction-sheet; custody 2026-09-06).

Judge Meredith Kennedy's instructions for self-represented litigants completing a divorce in the 78th District Court: service or waiver, the 60-day waiting period, setting a hearing, and completing the final decree.

78th District Court Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (signed Mar. 26, 2024) — part of TOPICs reg. doc 1866.

The current Wichita County district-courts artificial-intelligence standing order, applied to the 78th District Court: a joint order of the 30th, 78th and 89th District Courts requiring a signed certification before any AI-generated information is used in a submission, and banning recording and AI use in the courtroom and court offices.

89th District Court Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (signed Mar. 27, 2024) — part of TOPICs reg. doc 1866.

The current Wichita County district-courts artificial-intelligence standing order, applied to the 89th District Court: a joint order of the 30th, 78th and 89th District Courts requiring a signed certification before any AI-generated information is used in a submission, and banning recording and AI use in the courtroom and court offices.

90th Judicial District Court Amended Local Rules (Young and Stephens Counties; amended Sept. 1, 2023; Judge Stephen E. Bristow) — TOPICs reg. doc 1529.

The amended local rules of the 90th Judicial District Court (Judge Stephen E. Bristow), which sits in Young and Stephens Counties, requiring email communication with all parties copied and coordinator-scheduled settings, adopted to move the heavy civil and criminal docket expeditiously.

90th Judicial District Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties (Stephens County; Feb. 18, 2026) — TOPICs reg. doc 2820.

The 90th Judicial District Court's family standing order, entered in every divorce and suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed in Stephens County, restraining both parties on the conduct of the children, communication between the parties, and the preservation of property, and ordering the parties to mediate.

90th Judicial District Court Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Young and Stephens Counties; filed Feb. 12, 2026) — TOPICs reg. doc 2821.

The 90th Judicial District Court's standing order on the use of artificial intelligence, applying to every case in the court for Young and Stephens Counties: a signed AI-use certification with human verification of all AI-generated content, and a prohibition on AI use and recording in the courtroom and court offices.

90th Judicial District Court Amended Local Rules (Young and Stephens Counties; amended Sept. 1, 2023; Judge Stephen E. Bristow) — TOPICs reg. doc 1523.

The amended local rules of the 90th Judicial District Court (Judge Stephen E. Bristow), which sits in Young and Stephens Counties, requiring email communication with all parties copied and coordinator-scheduled settings, adopted to move the heavy civil and criminal docket expeditiously.

90th Judicial District Court Standing Order Regarding Audio/Visual Evidence (Young County; filed May 29, 2019) — TOPICs reg. doc 648.

A standing order of the 90th Judicial District Court governing the format of audio and video media exhibits so they can be uploaded to and opened by the Court of Appeals, with file-size limits, an accepted-format list, and the requirement that only offered segments be on the media admitted.

90th Judicial District Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties (Young County; adopted Oct. 25, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1659.

The 90th Judicial District Court's family standing order (adopted Oct. 25, 2023), entered in every divorce and suit affecting the parent-child relationship — including motions to modify possession and access — filed in Young or Stephens County, restraining both parties on the conduct of the children, communication, and the preservation of property.

90th Judicial District Court Standing Order Sealing CPS Cases (Young and Stephens Counties; signed Apr. 16, 2025; Judge Phillip Gregory) — TOPICs reg. doc 2384.

A standing order of the 90th Judicial District Court (Judge Phillip Gregory) sealing all Child Protective Services case files in the counties comprising the 90th Judicial District, with confidentiality and no non-party access absent party status or good cause.

91st Judicial District Court Media Plan and Rules Regarding Recording by Individuals (Eastland County; filed Oct. 2, 2025) — TOPICs reg. doc 2612.

The 91st Judicial District Court's local rule on media coverage and recording of courtroom activity: recording of any court proceeding is prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Judge, with definitions, the Judge's discretion, and restrictions protecting the dignity and fairness of proceedings.

Instructions When Called to Trial (Exhibits and Limines), 96th District Court, Tarrant County — court web page (last modified Aug. 4, 2025)

The 96th District Court's instructions when a case is called to trial (page last modified Aug. 4, 2025): parties appear for the pretrial conference at 8:30 a.m. on the trial Monday in the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, 4th floor, with the jury called for 9 a.m.; pretrial documents — motions in limine, jury questions, instructions and definitions, witness and exhibit lists — must be filed no later than 3 p.m. the Friday before trial; the parties confer on exhibit and limine objections beforehand and review the court's standing limine order, only matters not covered there being heard; at the pretrial conference exhibits must be marked, tabbed and bound, using whole numbers only (no decimals or subparts); the court's policy allows expert witnesses to testify by Zoom, objections heard at pretrial; parties using the court's audio-visual equipment arrange an advance visit; the proposed charge is e-mailed in Word to the court reporter and court coordinator by 3 p.m. the Friday before trial.

Scheduling Order (form with standing provisions; J. Patrick Gallagher, Judge Presiding), 96th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County — posted on the court's page (doc04805920230818094500.pdf)

The standing provisions of the 96th District Court's scheduling order form (J. Patrick Gallagher, Judge Presiding): the order applies unless modified, items without dates follow the TRCP, and compliance does not substitute for supplementation; all parties are added and served by the joinder date and the joining party serves a copy of the order; expert designations by party; responses to all discovery served by the discovery deadline, incomplete discovery not delaying trial; pleading amendments by the cutoff, responsive pleadings excepted; mediation completed with a mutually agreed mediator; all trial exhibits and fact-witness lists (name, address, phone, topic) exchanged by the set date, unlisted fact witnesses barred absent good cause, and any counsel requiring authentication of an exhibit must notify the offering counsel in writing within three business days after the exhibit is made available or authenticity is admitted; if the case is not reached the parties submit an agreed reset date in writing within ten days.

Standing Order in Limine, 96th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County (10 pp; posted as Standing-Order-Limine-June18-2024.pdf under the court's Preferred Forms) — J. Patrick Gallagher, Judge Presiding

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.

97th Judicial District Court Local Rules (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; filed Jan. 10, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1034.

The local rules of the 97th Judicial District Court, which sits in Archer, Clay and Montague Counties, governing all civil and criminal proceedings before the court — conduct and courtroom decorum, settings and setting preferences, settlement authority in civil cases, criminal-case procedures, and service under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21a.

97th District Court Standing Order on Sealing CPS Cases (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; filed May 31, 2018) — TOPICs reg. doc 1038.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court sealing the files in cases in which Child Protective Services or the Department of Family and Protective Services appears as petitioner, in the counties comprising the 97th Judicial District.

97th Judicial District Court Standing Order Regarding Evidence (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; filed Jan. 10, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1036.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court governing the format of audio, video and other electronic media exhibits so they can be uploaded to and opened by the Court of Appeals, with file-size limits, labeling, and text-searchable PDF requirements.

97th District Court's Standing Order Regarding Mandatory Disclosures in Tax Cases (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; Aug. 30, 2021) — TOPICs reg. doc 1035.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties) applying Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 194's initial-disclosure duty to delinquent-tax cases: each party must make the Rule 194.1(a) mandatory disclosures without awaiting a discovery request.

Standing Temporary Injunction in Family Law Cases Pursuant to 97th Judicial District Court (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; filed Jan. 10, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1037.

The 97th Judicial District Court's standing temporary injunction in family law cases, enjoining both parties from a list of acts concerning communication, harassment, and the property and records of the parties while the case is pending.

97th Judicial District Court Local Rules (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; filed Jan. 10, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1044.

The local rules of the 97th Judicial District Court, which sits in Archer, Clay and Montague Counties, governing all civil and criminal proceedings — conduct and courtroom decorum, settings, settlement authority in civil cases, criminal-case procedures, and service under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21a.

97th Judicial District Court Standing Order Regarding Evidence (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties) — TOPICs reg. doc 1041.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court governing the format of audio, video and other electronic media exhibits so they can be uploaded to and opened by the Court of Appeals, with file-size limits, labeling, and text-searchable PDF requirements.

97th District Court's Standing Order Regarding Mandatory Disclosures in Tax Cases (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; Aug. 30, 2021) — TOPICs reg. doc 1043.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties) applying Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 194's initial-disclosure duty to delinquent-tax cases: each party must make the Rule 194.1(a) mandatory disclosures without awaiting a discovery request.

Standing Temporary Injunction in Family Law Cases Pursuant to 97th Judicial District Court (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties) — TOPICs reg. doc 1042.

The 97th Judicial District Court's standing temporary injunction in family law cases, enjoining both parties from a list of acts concerning communication, harassment, and the property and records of the parties while the case is pending.

97th Judicial District Court Local Rules (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; filed Jan. 10, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1046.

The local rules of the 97th Judicial District Court, which sits in Archer, Clay and Montague Counties, governing all civil and criminal proceedings — conduct and courtroom decorum, settings, settlement authority in civil cases, criminal-case procedures, and service under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21a.

97th District Court Standing Order on Sealing CPS Cases (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; filed May 31, 2018) — TOPICs reg. doc 1050.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court sealing the files in cases in which Child Protective Services or the Department of Family and Protective Services appears as petitioner, in the counties comprising the 97th Judicial District.

97th Judicial District Court Standing Order Regarding Evidence (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties) — TOPICs reg. doc 1048.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court governing the format of audio, video and other electronic media exhibits so they can be uploaded to and opened by the Court of Appeals, with file-size limits, labeling, and text-searchable PDF requirements.

97th District Court's Standing Order Regarding Mandatory Disclosures in Tax Cases (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties; Aug. 30, 2021) — TOPICs reg. doc 1047.

A standing order of the 97th Judicial District Court (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties) applying Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 194's initial-disclosure duty to delinquent-tax cases: each party must make the Rule 194.1(a) mandatory disclosures without awaiting a discovery request.

Standing Temporary Injunction in Family Law Cases Pursuant to 97th Judicial District Court (Archer, Clay and Montague Counties) — TOPICs reg. doc 1049.

The 97th Judicial District Court's standing temporary injunction in family law cases, enjoining both parties from a list of acts concerning communication, harassment, and the property and records of the parties while the case is pending.

Archer, Clay and Montague Counties Juvenile Court Remote Proceedings for Detention Hearings Plan (Fam. Code 54.012) — TOPICs reg. doc 1877.

The Clay County plan, under Texas Family Code 54.012, for conducting juvenile detention hearings by remote proceeding, leaving to the court's discretion whether to proceed remotely or allow a party to attend remotely.

Expunction Procedures in Cooke County (District Clerk; SB 1667, eff. 9/1/2025) (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3105/docs/District%20Clerk/2026CookeDistrictClerkExpunctions.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County District Clerk's expunction procedures: naming the correct magistrate justice of the peace in the petition and order, the filing fee, and the agency-notice list.

Cooke County Court at Law Attorney Withdrawal Information (rev. July 2026) (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3093/docs/AttorneyWithdrawalInformation.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County Court at Law's requirements for an attorney's withdrawal: delivery to the client, the facts the motion must recite, the civil timing and content rules, and when withdrawal may be granted without a hearing.

Cooke County Court at Law Criminal Case Procedures (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3093/docs/CCAL_CriminalCaseProcedures.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County Court at Law's criminal-case procedure: the arraignment, consultation and status-conference settings, when appearances may be waived, and when pleas are heard.

Cooke County Court at Law Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims Instructions (Guardianship/Estate) (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3093/docs/Court%20at%20Law/InventoryAppraisementandListofClaimsInstructionsGuardianshipEstate.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County Court at Law's annotated instructions for preparing an Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims in a guardianship or estate: the Court's filing expectations before it will approve the inventory.

Local Rules of Practice in the County Court at Law, Cooke County (adopted Dec. 11, 2003; approved by the Supreme Court Jan. 20, 2004) (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/4337/docs/CookeCountyCourtatLawLocalRules.PDF; custody 2026-09-06).

The local rules of practice in the Cooke County Court at Law (approved by the Supreme Court): time standards, civil settings and pretrial, juvenile and criminal dockets, courtroom decorum, withdrawal and substitution, and submission of judgments.

Cooke County Court at Law — Filing Requirements for an Occupational Driver's License (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3093/docs/ODLInfoSheetandPetition3.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County Court at Law's filing requirements for an occupational driver's license: the documentation a petitioner must provide before a hearing is scheduled or the case is filed.

Cooke County Court at Law Procedures for Criminal Class C Appeals (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3093/docs/CCAL_ProceduresForCriminalClassCAppeals.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County Court at Law's procedure for criminal Class C appeals: no arraignment or pretrial, a monthly status-conference docket with mandatory attendance, and how a guilty plea or a trial date is handled.

Cooke County Court at Law Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (signed July 22, 2026) (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3093/docs/StandingOrderRegardingAI7.22.26.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County Court at Law's artificial-intelligence standing order: a self-represented litigant or attorney who uses AI must incorporate and certify a certificate within each AI-generated pleading, and recording and AI use are banned in and near the courtroom and court offices.

Cooke County Court at Law page (www.co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.County.Court; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County Court at Law's walk-in schedule for uncontested and agreed divorces and name changes.

Cooke County Local Administrative Order of the 235th Judicial District Court and the Cooke County Court at Law (filed Apr. 13, 2018) (www.co.cooke.tx.us/upload/page/3105/docs/District%20Clerk/M-LocalAdministrativeOrder%204-13-18.pdf; custody 2026-09-06).

The Cooke County local administrative order of the 235th District Court and the County Court at Law directing where a civil case is filed and heard based on the amount in controversy.

Parker County Court at Law No. 1 page (www.parkercountytx.gov/167; custody 2026-09-06).

County Court at Law No. 1's dress code and courtroom conduct requirements (Judge Kirk D. Martin).

Eviction Appeal — Frequently Asked Questions for Parker County Residential Landlords (Feb. 2025) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12016; custody 2026-09-06).

County Court at Law No. 2's frequently-asked-questions guide for a residential landlord appealing an eviction: who may appeal, how to appeal at the justice court, possession and rent during appeal, and setting the trial de novo.

County Court at Law No. 2 Information for Pro Se (Self Represented) Litigants (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12856; custody 2026-09-06).

County Court at Law No. 2's information for self-represented family litigants: the decree requirements, the prerequisites to a final hearing, default and agreed-divorce procedures, and setting a contested case.

Parker County Court at Law No. 2 page (www.parkercountytx.gov/168; custody 2026-09-06).

County Court at Law No. 2's court page: its contested-probate jurisdiction, filing location, and courtroom dress and guidelines (Judge Lynn Marie Johnson).

County Court at Law No. 2 Rules for Remote Hearings (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6391; custody 2026-09-06).

County Court at Law No. 2's rules for remote (Zoom) hearings: decorum and participation, the day-before deadlines for the link, exhibits and telephone participation, and the exhibit-emailing requirement.

Rules of Decorum — County Court at Law No. 2 (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10038; custody 2026-09-06).

County Court at Law No. 2's rules of decorum: timeliness, prohibited items and attire, and the conduct required of counsel and self-represented parties.

County Court at Law Court's Standing Criminal Pre-Trial Order — Exhibit C to the Rules of Practice (registered June 21, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1437.

The standing criminal pre-trial order for the Wise County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2 (Exhibit C to the Rules of Practice): the State's automatic disclosure obligations, defense-counsel duties, and courtroom requirements in every criminal case set for trial.

Local Rules of the County Court at Law No. 1 and County Court at Law No. 2 of Johnson County (eff. Jan. 1, 1994; approved by the Supreme Court Misc. Docket 93-0239) (www.johnsoncountytx.org/home/showpublisheddocument/720; custody 2026-09-06).

The local rules of the Johnson County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2, approved by the Supreme Court: decorum, the filing and rotation of civil, probate and criminal cases, the hearing of uncontested matters, conflicting settings, trial procedure and criminal case procedure.

Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery, Criminal District Court No. 1, Tarrant County (Apr. 26, 2022) (TOPICs reg. doc 1889)

Judge Elizabeth Beach's standing omnibus discovery order for Criminal District Court No. 1: in all pending cases the State may release medical records, grand jury records, CPS records, criminal histories and juvenile records to defense counsel without a formal motion (the State may withhold if it requests a formal hearing); defense counsel may not disclose protected information or use it for anything but the case, and must return or destroy the records when the case concludes.

Court's Standing Omnibus Order on Discovery, Criminal District Court No. 2, Tarrant County (May 27, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2406)

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.

Standing Administrative Order (bond-related filings), No. 2947, Criminal District Court No. 3, Tarrant County (Jan. 18, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1532)

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.

Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas (eff. Jan. 1, 2025; filed with the District Clerk Feb. 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2307, registered 02/28/2025)

The county's master local rules for every district and statutory county court, adopted by the trial judges acting in concert (Gov't Code § 74.093) and effective Jan. 1, 2025, repealing all prior local rules. Title I (general): attorneys' duties, courtroom conduct (no electronic devices except participating counsel, no recording, no campaign materials), pro se parties held to the rules, conflicting settings with a priority ladder, vacation letters filed 45 days ahead, first continuance or pass granted before announcement day, continuance motions 10 days before trial, the certificate-of-conference requirement for every non-dispositive motion, briefs 3 working days before hearing, proposed orders tendered 2 working days before submission with 5 days to object, evidence in court-of-appeals-uploadable formats. Title II (civil): ex parte applications filed first and certified, affidavit default prove-ups for liquidated damages, bankruptcy notice in 3 days, deposition notices under 10 days presumed unreasonable with a conference recital, DWOP grounds after 60 days without a setting, trial settings no sooner than 75 days from request with 7-day objections, the Eighth Region rules followed, 'ready' announcements 5–15 days before trial, settlement judgments within 30 days, witness/exhibit lists and exhibits marked 7 days before trial, business-records and § 18.001 affidavits filed without attachments, video-deposition designations 30 days before trial. Title III (family): filing and transfer of ancillary actions, the attorney's certificate for ex parte relief, mandatory sworn inventories within 60 days of appearance and financial information 3 days before the first hearing, a certificate of conference before any hearing is set, two-business-day notice of final settings, pre-trial conference attendance. Title IV (criminal/juvenile): letters of representation within 3 business days, defendants present at every setting. Title V: e-filing rules for the County and District Clerks (separate lead documents, page numbering, one-inch margins, no PDF portfolios, proposed orders as subsequent filings, three business days to cure a returned filing, no audio/video via eFile).

Dress Code and Courtroom Decorum, JV-SO-2022-7, County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County, sitting as a Juvenile Court (signed Apr. 1, 2022) — posted on the court's page

Judge Kimberly McCary's juvenile-court standing order JV-SO-2022-7 (Apr. 1, 2022): all persons dress in a manner reflecting the court's dignity — no hats, caps or other head wear without prior permission, no shorts, tank tops, bare midriffs, sagging pants or flip-flops; cameras and video or audio recording devices are not allowed; cell phones and electronic devices are turned off and stowed before entering, except court staff and officers of the court on silent for work; no food, gum or tobacco products, and no beverages other than water.

Remote Hearing Orders — Seventh Amended (First Amended Order in Response to the JCIT Technology Standards of September 2023), County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County, sitting as Juvenile Court (Judge Kimberly McCary; signed Sept. 18, 2023) — posted as 'Remote Hearing Guidelines' on the court's page

Judge Kimberly McCary's Seventh Amended Remote Hearing Orders for County Court at Law No. 1 sitting as juvenile court (signed Sept. 18, 2023, responding to the JCIT Technology Standards v7.1 and the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals orders of Sept. 11, 2023, which are attached): contact the court if any participant cannot appear remotely; all parents, guardians and custodians present; hearings live-streamed in a public-access room or on YouTube unless a closed courtroom is obtained; for adjudications, modifications and dispositions, respondent's counsel obtains the probation terms and social history, the State's plea paperwork and signatures on the Adjudication Packet and e-mails or drops off everything one business day before; motions for deferred are decided on pre-submitted evidence and 'representations of counsel' without live testimony; attendees appear by Zoom on any video-capable device, join ten minutes early, and each party compiles attendee and witness names, e-mails and phone numbers and forwards the invite; no electronic passing of notes to a testifying witness; no other devices or programs during the hearing without permission; court is officially in session and dress and conduct apply; no recording of any kind by anyone but the court, on pain of contempt; subpoenaed witnesses attend by Zoom and subpoenas carry the prescribed notice, may be served by e-mail with proof filed, and the clerk attaches these orders to every subpoena; exhibits are moved and e-mailed to opposing counsel, the judge and the court reporter with respondent's initials, cause number and exhibit number in the subject, documents as PDF and audio/video per the approved technology standards, physical evidence by photograph; the court does not require advance exchange of exhibits but encourages cooperation.

Remote Hearing Orders/Plan for Detention and Related Hearings, First Amended, County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County (Judge Kimberly McCary, Sept. 18, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1582, registered 09/22/2023)

Judge Kimberly McCary's First Amended Remote Hearing Orders/Plan for detention and related juvenile hearings (signed Sept. 18, 2023; responding to the JCIT Technology Standards v7.1 and the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals orders of Sept. 11, 2023, which are attached): contact the court if any participant cannot appear remotely; all parents, guardians and custodians present; an unobstructed view of any testifying party or witness; hearings live-streamed on the court's YouTube channel unless a closed courtroom is obtained; for adjudications, modifications and dispositions on the detention docket, counsel obtains the probation terms and social history, the State's plea paperwork and the signatures on the Adjudication Packet and e-mails everything to the judge and court administrator at least one business day before; motions for deferred by representations of counsel without live testimony; Zoom hosted by the court, attendees joining ten minutes early with contact lists and invites forwarded to witnesses; no passing notes to a testifying witness, no other devices or programs during the hearing; no recording or screenshots on pain of contempt; subpoenaed witnesses attend by Zoom with a prescribed notice and may not share the meeting ID; exhibits e-mailed to opposing counsel, the judge and the court reporter with the respondent's initials, cause number and exhibit number in the subject line — documents as PDF, audio/video per the Technology Standards, physical evidence by photograph; the court does not require advance disclosure of exhibits.

Current Standing Orders of County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County, sitting as a Juvenile Court — JV-SO-2022-1 to 2022-12 (Apr. 1, 2022), JV-SO-2025-1, JV-SO-2026-1 (Jan. 6, 2026), Judge Kimberly McCary (TOPICs reg. doc 2822, registered 02/18/2026)

Judge Kimberly McCary's compiled standing orders for County Court at Law No. 1 sitting as the juvenile court (registered Feb. 18, 2026): all prior standing orders from 2011–March 2022 rescinded (JV-SO-2022-1); attorneys may not give respondents or their parents copies of social histories, psychiatric or psychological reports, behavioral or drug evaluations, Chapter 55 reports or diagnostic studies without prior court permission (2022-2); Probation provides records-sealing information (2022-3); occupational driver's license petitions arising from this court's adjudications are filed and heard here under a new cause number (2022-4); the docket-management order — one appearance, one announcement, one adjudication/disposition setting, a jury-trial announcement at which agreed adjudications close, and Supreme Court juvenile time standards (2022-5); pretrial matters not filed seven calendar days before the hearing are waived except venue or good cause, each motion with a proposed order (2022-6); dress code and decorum with no cameras or recording devices and phones off (2022-7); clerks may release listed documents to respondents with proper identification (2022-8); the Charlie J. Cole Building security screening policy (2022-9); Probation may provide the respondent's juvenile-justice summary, and to the military with written permission (2022-10); detention custody transports (2022-12); a discovery protective order under CCP arts. 39.152 and 39.153 barring copying or dissemination of invasive-visual-recording and forensic-exam material produced under art. 39.14, returned or destroyed at disposition (2025-1); and the Motions for Deferred procedure — evidence to the court and opposing counsel one week ahead, no live testimony, representations of counsel in a set order (2026-1, rescinding 2022-11).

Instructions – Occupational Drivers License (7-page packet: instructions, civil case information sheet, petitioner's affidavit and acknowledgment, petition, acknowledgment, DPS instructions), County Court at Law No. 2, Denton County — posted on the court's page

County Court at Law No. 2's occupational driver's license packet: since Sept. 1, 2013 district, county and justice courts have concurrent jurisdiction over ODL petitions except those arising from a physical or mental disability or a Penal Code § 49.04 (DWI) conviction, justice-court filing fees are lower, and a JP petition must be filed in the proper precinct (where the petitioner resides or the offense occurred); to obtain an occupational license the petitioner must be current on surcharges and installment agreements with the state and bring proof to the hearing; the packet supplies the civil case information sheet, the petitioner's affidavit and acknowledgment of the court's ignition-interlock standing order, the petition and acknowledgment forms, and DPS's post-order instructions (certified copy, license fee, reinstatement fees and SR-22).

Standing Order Regarding Motions for Summary Judgement, County Court at Law No. 2, Denton County (Cause No. SO-2026-…; filed for record with the County Clerk Sept. 4, 2026) — posted on the court's page

County Court at Law No. 2's standing order on summary-judgment motions (signed 2026; file-marked with the County Clerk Sept. 4, 2026), responding to the amended statutory and rule deadlines for hearing and ruling on summary judgments that cannot be modified by agreement or court order: motions for continuance of a summary-judgment setting are not granted and the only way off the docket is a motion and order withdrawing the motion; a request to convert a submission setting to an oral hearing is granted, with the hearing held the same day the motion was set for submission at a time the court designates; the parties provide proposed orders five days before the hearing, and the prevailing party provides any modified order within five days of the ruling.

County Court at Law 2 — Submission Hearings, Zoom Hearings and Jurisdictional Limits, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/646)

County Court at Law No. 2's page (Judge Robert Ramirez): when a notice sets a hearing by submission the parties do not come to court — the judge decides on the pleadings and documents in the court's file and allows no oral address by attorney or pro se litigant; anything the party wants considered must be submitted at least one business day before the submission date; only certain hearings may be conducted by Zoom under Texas procedural law and the court may allow non-evidentiary motions by Zoom, in which case all parties appear by Zoom using the link in the notice and must contact the court coordinator immediately if the link fails; jurisdiction covers civil matters over $500 and not over $250,000 exclusive of interest, statutory or punitive damages, penalties, fees and costs.

Summary Judgment Instructions (with Proof of Proper Notice Instructions), County Court at Law No. 2, Denton County — posted on the court's page

County Court at Law No. 2's summary-judgment instructions: every motion for summary judgment is set for an oral hearing and both parties attend unless the movant requests submission; a submission setting is obtained from the court administrator under the TRCP, the movant notifies the non-movant by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the date and time with a written statement that the movant will not appear but asks the court to consider the motion by submission and that the non-movant may appear; the case is still called and the non-movant may argue a properly filed response; no summary judgment is entered on submission unless proof of notice is filed with the clerk — an affidavit attaching the notice letter with its USPS numbers and the signed green card, the returned mail with postal notation, or the USPS tracking page; the attached forms (proof-of-proper-notice instructions with an annotated PS Form 3811) show acceptable proof.

Uniform Dress Code for Denton County Courts — posted on the District Court Administration page (dentoncounty.gov/612)

The Uniform Dress Code for Denton County Courts posted by District Court Administration (and reproduced on the 158th District Court's page): no shorts; no hats or caps; no flip-flops; no halter, midriff, open, unbuttoned, low-cut, tank or open-back tops; no leggings unless the derriere is covered; no clothing with offensive language or symbols; no sweat suits or exercise clothing; no pajamas; no sunglasses.

County Criminal Court 1 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/1316)

County Criminal Court No. 1's page notice (Judge Lauri Ragland): starting June 15, 2021 defendants must be present for all plea settings, and every plea setting requires the presence of both attorney and defendant; hearings are in person (facial coverings recommended, not required); court dates are on the county records inquiry site; defense attorneys may sign and e-file bond conditions ahead of time, but all resets are done in person and e-filed pass slips are not accepted.

County Criminal Court 4 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/1319)

County Criminal Court No. 4's page notice (Judge Chance Oliver): defendants without attorneys must be present on the date of their setting; defense attorneys may sign and e-file bond conditions before the bond-condition hearing; all case resets are handled in person, and attorneys may reset cases early in person (reset questions to the court coordinator by e-mail); court dates are on the case records search.

Standing Order of the Denton County Criminal Courts Directing the County Clerk to Issue Alias Capias Warrants, SO-2023-0001 (Feb. 22, 2023) — posted on the County Court Administration page

The five county criminal courts' standing order (SO-2023-0001, Feb. 22, 2023; Judges Lauri Ragland, Susan Piel, Forrest Beadle, Chance Oliver and Coby Waddill): when a signed Certificate of Call is filed in a misdemeanor case — the court's certification that the defendant failed to appear when the case was called — the County Clerk issues an alias capias warrant unless there is already an active warrant on the case.

Standing Order of the Denton County and District Courts Establishing Processes and Procedures for Unfiled Criminal Matters of the Magistrate Court Trial Processes (signed Dec. 10, 2019; filed Dec. 12, 2019; effective Jan. 1, 2020) — posted as 'Standing Order – District Clerk and Magistrate Court' on the District Courts' Local Rules page (identical prints on the Magistrate Court, County Courts and County Court Administration pages)

The standing order of the Denton County district courts, county criminal courts and County Court at Law No. 1 (sitting as juvenile court), signed Dec. 10, 2019 and effective Jan. 1, 2020: the Magistrate Court, presided over by the Associate Criminal Judge under Chapter 54A, is the court for every criminal matter arising from an arrest by warrant or on view while the person is in the Sheriff's custody or on bail and no complaint, information or indictment has been filed, with authority to modify bonds and conditions until a charge is filed, after which only the court of filing acts; any motion, writ or filing in a pre-charge criminal matter is filed with the Denton County District Clerk as the designated clerk of the Magistrate Court; the Magistrate Court keeps the docket and records (probable-cause affidavits, commitments, warnings, bail conditions, risk assessments, mental-health evaluations) and files them with the District Clerk, who transfers misdemeanors to the County Clerk once a complaint or information is accepted; preliminary matters in filed cases may be assigned to the Magistrate Court only by a specific order of assignment and it may never render a final disposition; the record on appeal includes the order under which the magistrate acted; a court reporter is provided on a party's request with the cost taxable; sworn witnesses are subject to perjury and attachment; the referring court may modify, reject or adopt the magistrate's action; bond forfeitures are filed with the district or county clerk according to where the case stands; the clerks charge the same court costs as in the district or county courts.

Standing Order of District Courts of Denton County — minor children and their names (eff. Dec. 4, 2017; signed Feb. 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2304, registered 02/28/2025)

The district courts' standing order (effective Dec. 4, 2017 and re-signed by the current bench in 2023, 2024 and 2025) that district court cases involving a minor may use the minor's initials in the case style but must identify the minor by full name and full date of birth in the body of pleadings and related orders, alongside compliance with Family Code §§ 102.008 and 105.006 and TRCP 21c.

Standing Order Regarding Cash Bonds in Disposed Civil Cases, State District Courts, Denton County (signed Feb. 2025; file-marked Feb. 21, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2305, registered 02/28/2025)

The district judges' standing order directing the District Clerk to release cash bond funds, less administrative fees, to the depositor when a civil or family case has been disposed as to all parties (transfer, nonsuit, dismissal, final judgment or appellate mandate) and the funds remain in the registry 105 days or more afterward.

Denton County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties, Denton County District Courts (filed with the District Clerk Feb. 27, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2303, registered 02/28/2025)

The district courts' standing order, adopted under Family Code §§ 6.501–6.503, 105.001 and 105.009, that applies in every divorce and every SAPCR (including modifications and enforcements) filed in Denton County and binds the parties, their agents and anyone with notice on pain of contempt: no removing children from Texas to change residence, withdrawing them from school, hiding them, changing their abode, disparaging the other party (including on social media) or discussing the litigation before them, and no overnight dating partners while in possession of a child in an original divorce; no harassing communications; in a dissolution, the full preservation-of-property regime (no transfers, new debt, withdrawals, beneficiary changes, account closures, utility shutoffs, intercepting mail or communications, excluding a spouse from the residence, altering electronic data or metadata, deleting social-network content, or using the other party's passwords) with authorizations for ordinary business, attorney's fees and living expenses; records and insurance preserved; the petitioner must attach the order to the petition or the clerk declines to issue citation; effective on filing as a 14-day TRO, then a temporary injunction until final order; protective orders prevail; parties to complete a listed parent-education and stabilization program within 60 days.

Standing Order Regarding Evidence, State District Courts, Denton County (signed by the district judges; registered Feb. 28, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2306)

The district judges' standing order that the sponsoring party must offer evidence in a format the court of appeals can accept: text documents as text-searchable, unencrypted PDFs converted directly where possible (scans OCR'd); document images at 300 dpi black and white; photographs at not less than 2,048 × 1,536 pixels; separator pages where the exhibit number is not on the image; audio files no larger than 100 MB and video no larger than 2 GB, in a format VLC or Windows Media Player supports, containing only the offered segments; and the sponsoring party must supply a compliant copy if the appellate court cannot open the exhibit.

Standing Order Regarding HIPAA, the Texas Medical Privacy Act, and Drug Testing Records, District Judges in and for Denton County (Feb. 27, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2308, registered 02/28/2025)

The district judges' standing order in every Family Code suit authorizing all litigation participants (parties, counsel and staff, testing facilities and laboratories, experts, evaluators, parenting facilitators and coordinators, mental-health professionals, witnesses, mediators, arbitrators and courts) to disclose, receive and use drug test records and the protected health information in them for the pending litigation without further HIPAA or Texas Medical Privacy Act authorization — and for no other purpose — with notice that such information is subject to electronic disclosure.

Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence, Denton County District Courts (filed Oct. 20, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2640, registered 10/21/2025)

The Denton County District Courts' re-issued standing order on generative artificial intelligence (signed May 8, 2026 by the presiding judge and all twelve district judges — Shipman, Burgess, Shanklin, McFarling, Hill, Alexander, Johnson, Haertling, Breading, Jones, Dickens, Levonius — and filed with the District Clerk May 11, 2026; it replaces the October 2025 edition, which required a certification only from those who used AI): every attorney and self-represented litigant who files pleadings or documents or otherwise appears in a district court case shall sign and submit the appropriate attached certification, attesting that all AI-created or AI-contributed language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analysis were verified by a human through traditional (non-AI) legal sources before submission, and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions for their own, their staff's or co-counsel's non-compliance; the per-case Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence is attached, and a Uniform Attorney Certification lets an attorney certify once for all pending and future cases in any Denton district court and undertake to comply with future versions without further notice (deliverable to the District Clerk by e-mail, fax, mail or hand delivery); the order is effective immediately for all pending and later-filed cases, remains until rescinded or replaced, and the District Clerk files it with the Office of Court Administration and posts it at the courthouse and on the district courts' website.

Unified Standing Order of the District Courts of Denton County — Standing Order Related to Notice and Transfer of Bail and Conditions Issued in Criminal Felony Offenses Committed in Denton County, Texas (Senate Bill 9, 89th Leg.); filed with the District Clerk Oct. 8, 2025 — posted on the Local Rules page of the Denton County District Courts

The Denton County district courts with felony jurisdiction' standing order implementing Senate Bill 9 (signed by Judges Steve Burgess, Brent Hill, Michael Dickens, Karen Alexander, Tiffany Haertling, Derbha Jones and Crystal Levonius; filed with the District Clerk Oct. 8, 2025): prior Chapter 54 part-time magistrate appointments are rescinded and attorney municipal judges of courts of record may serve as magistrates under CCP art. 2A.151(14); for a felony arrest without an indictment, the 'court before which a case is pending' is the Denton County Magistrate Court, which also has jurisdiction over a prior unindicted felony when a second felony arrest follows; under art. 17.027 the Magistrate Court is designated to set bail or conditions for a defendant arrested for a felony committed in Denton County while unindicted felonies are pending, and no other magistrate may set or modify that bail without written district-judge authorization or under approved emergency coverage, with the Magistrate Court reviewing the bond on the prior offense; a judge or magistrate without jurisdiction who sets bail at an art. 15.17 hearing must transmit the probable-cause affidavit, warrant or commitment, bail form, bond conditions, warnings and arrest report to the Magistrate Court by the close of the next business day, by e-filing with the District Clerk or secure e-mail to the designated prosecutor, the District Clerk and magistrate staff; on the District Attorney's request any Denton district judge may review and modify a bail decision made by a magistrate without jurisdiction, acting by the next business day under arts. 17.09 and 17.15, with a summons before any warrant if the defendant is not in custody; Section 3 applies to arrests on or after Sept. 1, 2025.

Justice of the Peace Payments — Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/380)

The county's Justice of the Peace payments page: online payment is available only to criminal defendants 17 and over for offenses committed after age 17; all juveniles under 17 and minors over 17 charged with alcohol or tobacco offenses must appear in person with a parent or guardian; payment constitutes a plea of nolo contendere and, under CCP art. 27.14(c), a finding of guilty and a written waiver of jury trial; the defendant must verify the correct precinct on the citation, pay with a debit or credit card in the name of the person on the citation (otherwise refunded), know the precinct number, amount and docket or cause number, pays a 2.75% processing fee, and the payment posts the next business day so an outstanding warrant may not be recalled until then; Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted, American Express not.

Standing Order 2024-001JP, Standing Order Regarding Compliance with TRCP Rule 501.4, In the Justice of the Peace Courts of Denton County (May 10, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1945, registered 05/29/2024)

The justices of the peace's standing order (signed May 10, 2024, effective immediately) requiring every motion for default judgment in a TRCP 508 debt claim case filed in a Denton County justice court to carry a certificate of service complying with TRCP 501.4(d) before the court will process it; deficient motions draw a deficiency notice under each court's procedures.

Rules of Administration, Denton County Justices of the Peace (revised 1/2023; accepted Jan. 13, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1095, registered 01/23/2023)

The six Denton County justices of the peace's Rules of Administration under Gov't Code § 27.061 (accepted unanimously Jan. 13, 2023): court held at times and places each justice designates; civil jury cases to conclude within 18 months and non-jury cases within 12 months of appearance; an annual dismissal docket for cases inactive 365 days; transfer of civil (CPRC § 15.0821) and criminal (CCP art. 4.12(e)) cases between precincts by written order on consent of the participating judges, any Denton justice able to sit for any other; bench exchanges under TRCP 502.4(f) with the visiting judge noted on the docket; a uniform Sworn Statement of Inability to Pay form; fair-venue changes under TRCP 502.4(e) noted on the docket; monthly judicial meetings, an elected one-year administrative judge; each court may adopt further rules not in conflict.

Administrative and Standing Order Regarding the eFiling of Inventory, Annual Account and Account for Final Settlement, Probate Standing Order PR-2014-002 (Hon. Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Probate Court; filed Jan. 31, 2014) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

Judge Bonnie J. Robison's administrative and standing order PR-2014-002 (filed Jan. 31, 2014) setting the procedure for every inventory, annual account or account for final settlement in guardianship and probate estates once TRCP 21c took effect: file the inventory or accounting in compliance with Rule 21c with sensitive data redacted (including in deposit verifications, safekeeping confirmations and tax affidavits); file it electronically; do not file supporting vouchers and backup documents (financial and brokerage statements, copies of checks) with the clerk; within 7 business days of filing deliver by mail or hand to the Probate Court Auditor/Attorney an unredacted copy of the filed accounting showing its filing date, all unredacted supporting documents (which counsel retrieves within 30 days after approval or the court destroys them), an unredacted copy of the inventory with a first annual account, and in a probate the names and birth dates of minor heirs; the court's website carries the auditor's checklist.

Standing Administrative Order on Denton County Probate Court Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem Appointment Lists, No. SO-2016-00001 (Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed Feb. 24, 2016; filed Feb. 24, 2016) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

Judge Bonnie J. Robison's standing administrative order SO-2016-00001 under Government Code § 37.01: two probate ad litem lists and two guardianship ad litem lists (List I for attorneys with ten or more years of probate and guardianship experience approved for difficult, complex and contested cases; List II for other qualified attorneys), posted quarterly on the courthouse bulletin boards and the court's website; an attorney seeking placement e-mails the Probate Court Attorney Administrator a request letter, a current State Bar Attorney Ad Litem Certificate (§ 1054.201 four-hour training), a resume and the court's application and profile form, then interviews with the judge; qualification requires working knowledge of probate and guardianship law, the Rules of Evidence and the court's standing orders (List I: demonstrated ability with complex cases and dependent, temporary and guardianship administrations); guardianship-list attorneys also observe three guardianship prove-ups, complete five court visits and register with the County Court Administrator; the court may appoint out of order or off-list for specialized skill, prior involvement, geography or the parties' agreement; the attorney must keep the certificate current and decline appointments when it lapses — expiration removes the attorney from the list, restoration requires a current certificate, five additional court visits and placement at the bottom of the list.

Standing Administrative Order on Denton County Probate Court Mediator Appointment Lists, No. SO-2016-00002 (Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed and filed Feb. 24, 2016) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

Judge Bonnie J. Robison's standing administrative order SO-2016-00002 under Government Code § 37.01: two mediator lists for probate and guardianship cases — List I for attorneys with ten or more years of probate and guardianship experience approved for difficult, complex and contested cases, List II for attorneys with five or more years — posted quarterly on the courthouse bulletin boards and the court's website; placement requires a request letter, a current State Bar Attorney Ad Litem Certificate, a resume and the court's mediator application and profile form sent to the Probate Court Attorney Administrator, followed by an interview with the judge; a mediator must demonstrate working knowledge of probate and guardianship law, the Rules of Evidence and the court's standing orders and be registered and in good standing on a Denton County probate or guardianship ad litem list (List I: demonstrated ability to mediate complex matters and significant experience with dependent, temporary and guardianship administrations); the court may appoint out of order or off-list for specialized skill, prior involvement, geography or the parties' agreement; when the attorney's ad litem certificate expires the mediator is removed from the list, and restoration requires a current certificate, five court visits and placement at the bottom of the list.

Standing Administrative Order Regarding Compliance with Texas Estates Code Sections 256.052, 257.051 and 301.052, No. SO-2017-00001 (Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed Sept. 8, 2017; filed Sept. 11, 2017) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

Judge Bonnie J. Robison's standing administrative order SO-2017-00001 (signed Sept. 8, 2017; effective Sept. 1, 2017): every application to probate a will, to probate a will as a muniment of title or for letters of administration must state the last three digits of the applicant's driver's license and Social Security numbers and, if known, the decedent's, or state why the numbers are omitted (Estates Code §§ 256.052, 257.051, 301.052); the Probate Court Administrator will not set a non-compliant matter on the docket.

Standing Order in Accordance with Texas Estates Code §1054.201; Attach Certification Letter to Guardianship Applications, No. SO-2017-00003 (Bonnie Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed and filed Dec. 12, 2017) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

Judge Bonnie Robison's standing order SO-2017-00003 (signed Dec. 12, 2017, replacing SO-2015-00002): every attorney filing an application or counter-application for guardianship attaches to the initial pleading a copy of the State Bar letter acknowledging completion of the four-hour training required by Estates Code § 1054.201 (the 'Attorney Ad Litem Certificate'); once attached it need not accompany amended pleadings, but on or before the certificate's expiration the attorney supplements the application and files an updated certificate in every case in which the attorney appears for a guardianship applicant; non-compliance results in a compliance-docket setting or status conference.

Additional Requirement for Muniment of Title Cases (effective May 7, 2009), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 (Judge David W. Jahn; Associate Judge Edward Nolter) — posted on the Probate Documents & Forms page

Probate Court No. 1's guideline for wills offered as muniments of title (letterhead of Judge David W. Jahn and Associate Judge Edward Nolter): because a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program claim for benefits received after March 1, 2005 is a debt that bars muniment probate, every application to probate a will as a muniment, the prove-up testimony (including any written statement of proof) and the order admitting the will must, since May 7, 2009, state that 'Medicaid benefits, if any, received by the Decedent on or after March 1, 2005 have been repaid.'

Probate Court No. 1 Hearing/Docket Information (Court Calendar), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 — posted on the court's page

Probate Court No. 1's court calendar: Mondays and Wednesdays are the contested docket and status conferences; will prove-ups are heard by Zoom on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons; Fridays carry the DWOP docket (typically the first Friday of the month at 9 a.m., after notice where the court finds no activity), show-cause and status-conference settings every other Friday at 10 a.m. for compliance issues in guardianship and estate administrations (the court and auditor meet with counsel and parties), and pre-trial settings; Associate Judge Nolter hears Probate Court No. 1's settings on the odd-numbered days of each month, so counsel checks the docket to see whether Judge Jahn or Judge Nolter presides.

Probate Court No. 1 Zoom Hearing Policies (TRCP 21(d)), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 — posted on the court's page

Probate Court No. 1's Zoom hearing policies under TRCP 21d for applications for letters testamentary and muniments of title: the party requesting a remote hearing gives notice to all participants; the order, any sworn resident-agent appointment and the death certificate must be on file 3 days before the hearing or the setting is removed; proofs and oaths are executed during the Zoom hearing and e-filed afterward (never e-mailed to the administrator); a party not logged in when called reschedules, technical problems reschedule, participants use recognizable names and observe courtroom dress; counsel tells the judge whether the client signs on camera or before a notary; orders must drop 'the allegations contained in the Application are true', explain why a named executor is not serving (with a death certificate or obituary on file), state the executor's exact name as in the will, contain § 309 inventory and § 308 notice language, and omit power-of-sale language unless requested in the prayer; for muniments, an out-of-state applicant needs a resident agent, proof of death and oath of no debts may be combined, declinations from prior-named or co-executors are required, orders make no property or child-support findings, and the § 257.103 affidavit is waived only if all beneficiaries join and sign the application and no trust is a beneficiary.

Probate Court No. 2 Hearing/Docket Information (Court Calendar), Denton County Probate Court No. 2 — posted on the court's page

Probate Court No. 2's court calendar: Mondays and Thursdays are the contested docket and status conferences; Tuesdays carry the Zoom rocket docket (twice a month, typically every other week depending on trial settings, per the court's Zoom Rocket Docket information sheet) and will prove-ups; Wednesdays are will prove-ups in person and by Zoom; Fridays carry the DWOP docket (typically the first Friday of the month at 9 a.m., after notice where the court finds no activity), show-cause and status-conference settings every other Friday at 10 a.m. for compliance issues in guardianship and estate administrations, and pre-trial settings; Associate Judge Nolter hears Probate Court No. 2's settings on the even-numbered days of each month, so counsel checks the docket to see whether Judge Everett or Judge Nolter presides.

Zoom Rocket Docket Policies, Denton County Probate Court No. 2 (Judge Christopher J. Everett) — posted on the court's page

Judge Christopher J. Everett's Zoom Rocket Docket policies for Probate Court No. 2: the docket runs two Tuesdays a month, four cases per hour at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., with counsel logging in for the assigned hour; only self-proved wills offered for letters testamentary or as muniments of title (not § 401.002 applications) qualify, and a foreign will needs the statute proving it self-proved; the order, any sworn resident-agent appointment and the death certificate must be on file 3 days before or the setting is removed; parties not logged in when called or with technical trouble reschedule; recognizable participant names and courtroom dress; counsel tells the judge whether the client signs on camera or before a notary; signed oaths and proofs are e-filed, never e-mailed; orders drop 'the allegations contained in the Application are true', explain why a named executor is not serving, use the executor's exact name as in the will, contain § 309 and § 308 language and omit power-of-sale language unless requested in the prayer; muniment applications by non-residents need a resident agent, declinations from prior-named or co-executors are required, orders make no property or child-support findings, and the § 257.103 affidavit is waived only where all beneficiaries join and sign the application and no trust is a beneficiary.

S.O. PR-2024, Administrative and Standing Order Regarding the Filing of a Small Estate Affidavit in the Denton County Probate Court (signed July 9, 2024; file-marked Aug. 5, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2715, registered 12/15/2025)

The probate courts' order (signed July 9, 2024) that any small estate affidavit under Estates Code ch. 205 must substantially comply with the form posted on the Probate Court No. 1 website to be approved; every affidavit filed after July 9, 2024 requires a posted general citation (Estates Code §§ 51.001, 51.003, 51.053, 51.104) with no action until the first Monday after the citation is returned; and the applicant must file an original death certificate with the first six digits of the decedent's Social Security number redacted.

Court Instructions for Dependent Administrator of Decedent's Estate, v102 (7 pp, initialed and sworn form), Denton County Probate Courts — posted on the Probate Documents & Forms page

The Denton County Probate Courts' court-ordered instructions that every dependent administrator reads, initials in eight places and signs before the judge or a notary before leaving the courtroom (filed with the clerk; the attorney certifies having discussed the duties): the oath and the bond within 20 days of the order; letters must be requested from the clerk; published notice to unsecured creditors within one month, certified-mail notice to secured creditors within two months and notice to the Comptroller within five days where applicable, each with proof filed; a sworn inventory, appraisement and list of claims signed by the attorney within 90 days of qualification (failure risks show cause, revocation and a fine up to $1,000); an annual account within 60 days of each anniversary with reconciliation, bond-premium and tax affirmations, receipts to the court auditors and bank verifications under §§ 359.003–.004; estate funds in separately titled, FDIC-insured accounts, never commingled; no expenditure or reimbursement without a written court order except the few statutory exceptions, allowances spent only for approved purposes, cash withdrawals prohibited, receipts kept; no sale, transfer, long lease or abandonment of any asset without prior written order and personal property kept in Texas; a final account, delivery receipts and application for discharge close the administration; failure to comply may lead to removal and personal liability.

Court Policy Concerning Required Retention of Attorney and Self-Represented Applicants (Rev. 10/2024), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 (Judge David W. Jahn) and Probate Court No. 2 (Judge Christopher J. Everett) — posted as "'Pro Se' Representation in Probate Court" on the Local Rules of the Probate Court page

The joint policy of Probate Courts Nos. 1 and 2 (Rev. 10/2024; signed by Judge Christopher J. Everett and the Associate Judge): consistent with the unauthorized-practice statutes, the courts do not permit a self-represented litigant to represent estates or other persons — named or applying executors, administrators and applicants for guardianship must act through a licensed attorney, the courts take no action on filings without an attorney of record, and a representative who discharges counsel and falls out of compliance must re-employ counsel; a person may represent only his or her own interest (examples: a sole beneficiary in a muniment of title, a non-corporate creditor, a non-corporate party in an ancillary civil action, a guardian of the person filing the § 1163 annual report); self-represented litigants must follow Local Rule 1.3, the TRCP, the Rules of Evidence, the Estates Code and appellate rules on pain of fine or punishment; the FAQ explains the fiduciary rationale; for a self-represented muniment all beneficiaries must be applicants and testify, each must swear on personal knowledge that there are no debts other than real-estate liens (perjury warning), the court reviews prove-up documents before the hearing, additional documents are required for a copy of a will, a non-self-proved will or probate more than four years after death, the will and redacted death certificate are filed with the application with the TRCP 57 contact information, and within 24 hours of setting the hearing the proposed order and unsigned proof (and any additional proposed testimony) are e-mailed in Word to the court's coordinator with the hearing date and decedent's name in the subject, additional signed pleadings filed at least one week before the hearing.

Instructions for Estate Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims (annotated example, Form #102, 8 pp, image-only), Denton County Probate Court — posted on the Probate Documents & Forms page

The Denton County Probate Court's annotated example inventory (Form #102) showing what the court expects in an inventory, appraisement and list of claims: the schedules must add up and balance; a required bond must be sufficient to cover all personal property or the inventory cannot be approved; the inventory cannot be approved until the notice to creditors and the Estates Code § 308 affidavit of compliance are filed; assets with beneficiary designations, survivorship or payable-on-death accounts and insurance payable to others are not probate assets and are excluded; real property needs a legal description (street address helpful; out-of-state realty in footnotes); community assets are listed at full value then reduced by the surviving spouse's half; financial accounts show the institution's name and address and the last four digits of the account or policy number; vehicles show VINs; household furnishings and personal effects need itemization only if the decedent's portion exceeds $10,000; claims owed to the estate show the debtor, nature, date, amount and character; the format is an example and not required.

Denton County Probate Courts Local Rules (version 10-01-24, eff. Oct. 1, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2457, registered 07/22/2025)

The Local Rules of the Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (version 10-01-24, effective Oct. 1, 2024, repealing all prior local rules; registered July 22, 2025): self-represented parties may not apply to serve as executor, administrator or guardian or represent third parties (the clerk accepts the filing but the court takes no action until an attorney appears), and may appear only as a sole muniment-of-title beneficiary, non-corporate creditor, ancillary-suit party or small-estate distributee; cause numbering with '01' ancillary suffixes; transfers need a motion, order and hearing; severed claims filed as new cases; vacation letters 45 days ahead; bankruptcy notice within five days; ad litem reports and $-for-costs security in heirship and guardianship cases; attorney-fee applications under the courts' fee standards; proposed orders agreed by all counsel or submitted 10 days after service with alternative forms and a further 10-day hold; amended pleadings no later than 7 days before trial; non-jury hearing requests state a time estimate; uncontested docket by calling the administrator; weekly mental-health docket; mandatory mediation of all final contested matters; trial settings no sooner than 45 days from request with 7-day objections; continuance motions 10 days before trial; pre-trial conference 10 days before trial with Monday trial starts; dilatory pleas 30 days before trial; one second setting; witness/exhibit lists and motions in limine at trial; evidence in court-of-appeals formats; certificate of conference on every non-dispositive motion; briefs 3 working days ahead; Zoom only for agreed uncontested matters (no telephonic hearings; no contested testimony by Zoom); deposition guidelines with 10-day notice presumption and 30-day video designations; ex parte relief with two hours' notice and the attorney's certificate; private process certificates; withdrawal/substitution without hearing only 45 days before a setting with client consent; DWOP after 60 days of inaction; decorum rules.

Denton County Probate Courts Positions and Policies for the Uncontested Docket and Decedent Died With a Will (Judge David W. Jahn, Probate Court No. 1; Judge Christopher J. Everett, Probate Court No. 2; 8 pp) — posted on both courts' pages (two identical prints: 'Decedent Died With a Will' and 'Testate Estates')

The two probate courts' positions and policies for testate estates on the uncontested docket (Judges David W. Jahn and Christopher J. Everett): complete the prove-up checklist; title the application by what is sought; the court will not hear the application unless the posted citation has been returned; applications must include the last three digits of SSN and driver's license or the reason they are omitted, why a named executor is not applying, the applicant's name as stated in the will, later marriages or children and charitable beneficiaries; at the prove-up the court takes judicial notice, makes venue and notice findings and swears the witness, counsel proves execution and qualification (a sworn resident-agent appointment on file before the hearing for non-residents; notarized declinations, guardianship number or doctor's letter, divorce decree or death evidence for named executors not serving); independent administration and bond waiver require sworn consents of all distributees where the will does not provide them, electronic or DocuSign consents and waivers not accepted; power-of-sale authority must be requested or consented to; self-proving affidavits are checked against § 251.104 and the alternative § 256.152 tests, with specific pleading and proof for out-of-state wills; non-self-proved wills require a subscribing witness or two handwriting witnesses; orders drop the 'allegations are true' recital, use the will's name, make findings on non-serving executors, say 'alternate' not 'successor', and include § 308 and § 309 language; muniment applications must show other named executors declined or were served, include no language beyond the Estates Code, may waive § 257.103 only where the applicant is sole distributee or all distributees apply and sign or appear, need a resident agent for out-of-state applicants, must include the Medicaid proof language and a MERP certification or exception proof where Medicaid was received, and need declaratory relief where the will does not identify the takers or property; copies of wills and probates after four years carry additional pleading, witness, ad litem and order requirements.

Small Estate Affidavit Instructions – Denton County Probate Court, with the Court's Small Estate Affidavit form (11 pp; revised 9.01.2017) — posted as 'Complete Small Estate Affidavit' on the Probate Documents & Forms page; mandated by the Administrative and Standing Order Regarding Small Estate Affidavits (July 9, 2024; TOPICs 2715)

The Denton County Probate Court's instructions for small estate affidavits under Estates Code chapter 205 (revised Sept. 1, 2017; the companion standing order of July 9, 2024 mandates the form): use the court's SEA form or one in substantial compliance; request a posted citation from the County Clerk, and the affidavit is not approved until the first Monday after ten days' posting; file an original certified death certificate separately with the first digits of the SSN redacted; not filed within 30 days of death, in the county of the decedent's residence, no will and no pending or needed administration; list every asset with detail (VINs, last four account digits, legal descriptions), show total assets of $75,000 or less excluding homestead and exempt property, characterize community and separate property, allege exempt status, list every liability including attorney's fees, be solvent, state whether Medicaid was received after March 1, 2005 and list the MERP claim or file a certification, state the family history and each distributee's shares in all three property types (an 'NA' for separate property is rejected), be signed and sworn by every distributee with capacity (guardians for minors, whose shares go into the registry or to a guardian of the estate) and by two disinterested witnesses who can swear to all facts, and include the § 205.007(c) liability acknowledgment; the court may require a hearing.

Standards for the Denton County Probate Courts Approval of Attorney Fee Applications, Rev. 09.2023 (9 pp; Judge David W. Jahn, Probate Court No. 1; Judge Christopher J. Everett, Probate Court No. 2) — posted on the Fee Approval Forms page

The Denton County Probate Courts' fee-application standards (Judges David W. Jahn and Christopher J. Everett, Rev. 09.2023): fee applications identify the date, time in tenths and work performed; administrative tasks are not compensable; court approval must precede payment from an estate, guardianship or trust; private-pay hourly bands by years of probate and guardianship practice ($200 to $450, board certification considered), with resumes for new attorneys and paralegals; county-pay ad litems capped at $125 per hour and their paralegals at $65; attorney-fiduciaries keep segregated time and file two separate applications, are paid fiduciary rates ($100–$150; staff $50–$55) for fiduciary work and may seek above-statutory compensation only with time records; applications at least quarterly while a case is pending (final applications within 30 days of the final hearing), each entry identifying the professional, time, date and work in Rohrmoos detail, with N/C notations for reductions and a summary for complex work; proposed orders leave the amounts blank and state the period; paralegal work $75–$125 per hour on El Apple factors, secretarial tasks (faxing, scheduling, e-filing, scanning, redacting) not compensable at any rate; travel to the courthouse at the approved rate but out-of-county and client-visit travel at half rate; no reimbursement for basic probate research, bill preparation, faxes, routine hand delivery, or calls to the court auditor or clerk; copies at no more than $0.15 per page; billing in 0.1-hour increments, no block billing; costs caused by misfeasance fall on the representative or attorney; applications are held ten days for objections and usually decided on submission, and fee requests filed as claims against the estate always require a hearing under §§ 355.056 and 1157.056.

Standing Administrative Order Regarding Annual Reports of Guardians of the Person, Denton County Probate Courts (signed May 28, 2026; filed for record with the County Clerk June 3, 2026; with the courts' Annual Report of Guardian of the Person forms and Request for New Letters attached) — posted on both probate courts' pages

The Denton County Probate Courts' standing administrative order on annual reports of guardians of the person (signed May 28, 2026; file-marked with the County Clerk June 3, 2026; effective immediately until countermanded or superseded by statute), applying to every guardianship in which a guardian of the person files an annual report: the County Clerk collects at least $14 in fees when the report is filed — $10 for the annual report of the guardian of the person (Local Gov't Code § 118.052(2)(a)(vi)), $2 signature fee for the order approving the report (§ 118.101(11)) and $2 for issuance of one letter of guardianship (§ 118.101(2)) — plus $6 for a requested certified copy of the approval order (§ 118.052(3)(B)); the courts' annual report forms include a separate Request for New Letters (Exhibit A, attached); on receipt of a signed order approving the annual report the clerk immediately issues letters of guardianship to the guardian of the person; the clerk posts the order among the probate courts' administrative orders and at the courthouse. The attached form sheet notes that letters of guardianship expire a year and four months from the anniversary date and must be updated annually, and that payment is by cash, credit card, money order or cashier's check (no personal checks).

Standing Order SO-2023-00003, Standing Administrative Order Regarding Cash Bonds After Closure of Guardianship and Probate Cases, Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (file-marked June 20, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 2712, registered 12/15/2025)

The probate courts' standing order (file-marked June 20, 2023; by its terms in effect from Jan. 1, 1990 until countermanded) directing the County Clerk to release cash bond funds left in the registry, less administrative fees, to the depositing party 75 days after a probate or guardianship case is administratively closed, deemed inactive, dismissed, nonsuited or closed on approval of the guardian's final report — no motion required.

No. SO-2025-00001, Standing Administrative Order — Court Procedure Regarding Security of Cost for Attorney Ad Litem Fees in Determination of Heirship and Guardianship Proceedings, Probate Courts of Denton County (signed Jan. 27, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2713, registered 12/15/2025)

The probate courts' standing order (signed Jan. 27, 2025; amending SO-2015-00007 and SO-2015-00008) requiring the Clerk to collect a $600 retainer deposit, administrative fee waived, in every application for determination of heirship (Estates Code § 53.052(a)) and every guardianship application (§ 1053.052(a), except applicants described in §§ 1053.052(c) and 1155.151(a-2)) filed on or after Feb. 1, 2025, held for the attorney ad litem's fees; the Clerk releases the approved fee to the ad litem and any balance to the applicant within 30 days of the fee order, and the applicant pays any excess within 30 days.

No. SO-2023-00001, Administrative Standing Omnibus Order of Referral — Associate Probate Judge, Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (Jan. 3, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 2714, registered 12/15/2025)

The probate courts' omnibus order (Jan. 3, 2023) confirming Edward J. Nolter as full-time Associate Probate Judge (appointed Jan. 6, 2022) and referring to him any aspect of any case at the probate judges' discretion, without a specific order of referral, as reflected on the weekly printed docket; his powers under Gov't Code § 54A.209(a) including signing agreed, default, temporary, waiver-based and letters-issuing final orders and mental-health orders; the referring judge signs § 54A.209(a)(16) orders within 30 days; a party may object to the associate judge trying a matter on the merits by written objection, and where a trial has been set on his docket the objection must be filed within 10 days of notice (§ 54A.207); de novo hearings are requested within 7 working days of notice of the associate judge's order or report (§ 54A.216); supersedes all former standing and omnibus orders.

Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence, Denton County Probate Courts, SO-2025-00002 (file-marked Dec. 12, 2025) (TOPICs reg. docs 2716 and 2719, registered 12/15/2025 and 12/16/2025)

The Probate Courts of Denton County's standing order SO-2025-00002 (signed late 2025, file-marked with the County Clerk Dec. 12, 2025; registered twice, Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, 2025, as identical prints): every self-represented litigant and attorney in every pending or later-filed probate case — whether or not they say they use any form of artificial intelligence — must sign and submit the attached Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence, attesting that all AI-created or AI-contributed language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analysis were verified by a human through traditional (non-AI) legal sources before submission, and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions for their own, their staff's or co-counsel's non-compliance. Effective immediately; the County Clerk files it with OCA and posts it at the courthouse and on the probate courts' website.

Standing Order SO-2023-00002, Administrative Order — Location of Mental Health Proceedings, Zoom Videoconferencing, Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (file-marked Feb. 14, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 2711, registered 12/15/2025)

The probate courts' administrative standing order (file-marked Feb. 14, 2023) that all mental health hearings and proceedings under Health and Safety Code § 574.031(a), subject to § 574.203, are conducted by secure Zoom videoconferencing (or audio teleconference if Zoom is unavailable); proposed patients and patients appear remotely from their inpatient treatment facility; and the proceedings, which are open to the public, may be observed in the Associate Judge courtroom at 3900 Morse Street, Denton.

The Uncontested Docket: When a Client Dies Without a Will – The Denton County Probate Courts Policies and Positions on Heirships and Administrations, Version 09.24 (9 pp; David W. Jahn, Presiding Judge, Probate Court No. 1; Christopher J. Everett, Presiding Judge, Probate Court No. 2) — posted on both courts' pages

The two probate courts' guide for intestate matters on the uncontested docket (Version 09.24; Presiding Judges David W. Jahn and Christopher J. Everett): complete the website prove-up checklist; Zoom hearings allowed if all counsel agree; in every heirship the court automatically appoints an attorney ad litem once the deposit is posted (contact the court if none within two weeks) and the ad litem must attend; a compliance docket is set 90 days after the appointment; heirship and administration are pleaded in one application (an independent administration cannot be heard before the heirship, a dependent administration opened first must have its heirship within 60 days, no independent administration where any heir is a minor, no administration more than four years after death except rarely), with every distributee's consent to independent administration and bond waiver, preferably folded into the waivers of citation; the application must contain every § 202.005 and § 301.052 element, verified under § 202.007, with the heirs' information preferably in a chart giving each heir's interest in separate personal, separate real and community property as finished fractions and, when administration is sought, children's birth dates marked as sensitive data; posted citation on all applications, citation by publication in a local paper and the OCA website with both publishers' affidavits e-filed before the hearing is set, service on or waiver by every non-applicant adult heir (no private process servers in Texas without a motion; certified-mail citation valid only with the addressee's signature), minor-heir rules by age and filing date, and a § 202.057 certificate or affidavit; all oral testimony is reduced to writing prepared in advance and signed before the judge — a proof of death and other facts (no citation recitals) and statements of two disinterested witnesses on the heirs; the judgment includes a chart of all heirs, relationships and interests.

Involuntary Mental Health Commitments — Denton County Probate Court No. 1 and Probate Court No. 2 web pages (dentoncounty.gov/1208 and /1605)

The probate courts' mental-health division page (identical on both courts' sites): the Mental Health Court handles all involuntary commitments for Denton County residents, placing patients at North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls, unless the family obtains a private facility's bed letter before any hearing; every application goes through the District Attorney's office using the packet of Application for Involuntary Temporary Commitment, Certificate of Medical Examination and, if needed, Affidavit of Inability; the application is completed in detail with pages three and five notarized, may be faxed to the DA but the originals must reach the court no later than the hearing date; the certificate must be completed by a doctor no later than five days before submission or the application is denied; the $502 filing fee may be waived on a notarized affidavit of inability filed before the ruling; the page supplies the attorney paperwork for long-term commitment, modification, medication, extended and probable-cause hearings.

Local Rule 3_0614 — Local Administrative Rule, Family Law Filings, 18th/249th/413th District Courts, Johnson County (eff. Apr. 15, 2015) (www.johnsoncountytx.org/home/showpublisheddocument/12329; custody 2026-09-06).

A local administrative rule of the Johnson County District Courts directing the District Clerk to refuse a family pleading that omits the required notice or that styles the parties or children by initials only.

Johnson County Local Rules of the District Courts Concerning the Electronic Filing of Court Documents (adopted Mar. 23, 2005) (www.johnsoncountytx.org/home/showpublisheddocument/722; custody 2026-09-06).

The Johnson County District Courts' local rules for the electronic filing and service of court documents: what may be e-filed, digital signatures, filing time, convenience fees, format, and electronic service.

Local Rules — Erath County Court at Law (eff. July 15, 1994) (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/407; custody 2026-09-06).

The local rules of the Erath County Court at Law: agreed pretrial orders on discovery and special exceptions, jury charges before pretrial, audio recording in lieu of a reporter, criminal docket-call and plea-bargain practice, and witness and probate procedures.

Erath County Court at Law Policy Regarding Pro Se Applicants (Mar. 30, 2016) (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/413; custody 2026-09-06).

The Erath County Court at Law's policy on self-represented (pro se) applicants in probate and guardianship: a pro se party may represent only himself, not an estate or another person, and the court will take no action on such filings without an attorney of record.

Erath County Court at Law Small Estate Affidavit Checklist (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/950; custody 2026-09-06).

The Erath County Court at Law's checklist of the twelve requirements the court applies before approving a Small Estate Affidavit.

Erath County Court at Law Standing Order in All Criminal Misdemeanor Cases (Criminal History) (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/414; custody 2026-09-06).

The Erath County Court at Law's standing order in all criminal misdemeanor cases: the State produces the defendant's criminal arrest and conviction records to defense counsel by the pretrial hearing without a motion.

Erath County Court at Law Standing Order Regarding Remote Detention Hearings (adopted Apr. 9, 2025) — TOPICs reg. doc 2385.

The Erath County Court at Law's plan, sitting as a juvenile court, for conducting juvenile detention hearings remotely by Zoom under Family Code section 54.012, with participant duties for cross-examination, camera views and evidence.

Erath County Justice Court Youth Diversion Plan (eff. June 14, 2026) (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/6724; custody 2026-09-06).

The Erath County Justice Court youth diversion plan under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 45A: eligibility, diversion agreements, the administrative fee, and expunction at 18.

Local Rules of Procedure and Rules of Decorum for the Justice of the Peace Courts, Erath County (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/383; custody 2026-09-06).

The local rules of procedure for the Erath County Justice of the Peace courts: general provisions and calendar, civil filing and jury practice, criminal settings and standard fines, and transfers between precincts.

Erath County JP Precinct 1/3/4 — Eligibility Requirements for Drivers Safety (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/746; custody 2026-09-06).

The Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, 3 & 4 notice of the requirements to be eligible for a driving safety course dismissal and how to obtain the required driving record.

Erath County JP Precinct 2 — Eligibility Requirements for Drivers Safety (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/1126; custody 2026-09-06).

The Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 notice of the requirements to be eligible for a driving safety course dismissal and how to obtain the required driving record.

Local Administrative Order Pursuant to the Damon Allen Act — 266th Judicial District of Erath County (eff. Sept. 1, 2022) (www.co.erath.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/3794; custody 2026-09-06).

The Erath County local administrative order under the Damon Allen Act setting the bail procedures for Class B and higher offenses: magistrate training, a public-safety report before bail, the 48-hour bail deadline, and the courts that may set felony or personal bond.

Hood County Local Rules of Practice of the Statutory County Court at Law (adopted Jan. 10, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1051.

The local rules of practice of the Hood County Statutory County Court at Law (adopted January 10, 2023): decorum, civil settings and ADR, criminal arraignment and plea practice, family procedure, the uncontested docket, and trial procedure.

County Court at Law Standard Discovery Order — Exhibit 4 to the Hood County Court at Law Local Rules (adopted Jan. 10, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1051.

The Hood County Court at Law's standard criminal discovery order (Exhibit 4 to the local rules): the County Attorney's production duties, expert and Daubert timing, and the defendant's remaining filing duties.

Standing Order Regarding Property and Conduct of the Parties in Divorce Cases and SAPCRs — 355th District Court and County Court at Law No. 1 of Hood County (eff. Jan. 9, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1012.

The Hood County family standing order of the 355th District Court and County Court at Law No. 1: it restrains the parties in every divorce and suit affecting the parent-child relationship on the children, conduct, property, records and insurance, and requires the petitioner to certify review of the order in the petition.

Jack County Court Remote Detention Hearing Procedures (Fam. Code 54.012; registered Dec. 14, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1726.

The Jack County Court's plan, under Texas Family Code 54.012, for conducting juvenile detention hearings as remote proceedings — court discretion to proceed remotely, the opportunity to cross-examine, and an unobstructed-camera requirement consistent with constitutional confrontation rights.

Johnson County Local E-Filing Practices (County Clerk; Feb. 27, 2023) (www.johnsoncountytx.org/home/showpublisheddocument/21165; custody 2026-09-06).

The Johnson County Clerk's local e-filing practices for the county courts: lead documents, exhibits, redaction of sensitive data, party and address requirements, and the sensitive-data notice.

Johnson County Court at Law No. 1 Remote Proceedings for Juvenile Detention Hearings Plan (Tex. Fam. Code § 54.012; filed Nov. 15, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 2118.

The Johnson County Court at Law No. 1's plan under Family Code section 54.012 for conducting juvenile detention hearings remotely, with participant duties for cross-examination, camera views and evidence.

Johnson County Court at Law No. 2 Remote Proceedings for Juvenile Detention Hearings Plan (Tex. Fam. Code § 54.012; filed Nov. 15, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 2119.

The Johnson County Court at Law No. 2's plan under Family Code section 54.012 for conducting juvenile detention hearings remotely, with participant duties for cross-examination, camera views and evidence.

Johnson County Courts at Law No. 1 & 2 Deposit Requirement for Applications for Temporary Guardianship (eff. Dec. 6, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 2120.

A standing order of the Johnson County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2 directing the clerk to collect a $750 deposit from the filing attorney on each temporary-guardianship application, held to pay the statutorily required attorney ad litem.

Johnson County Courts at Law No. 1 & 2 Interstate Guardianships: Requirements for Accepting a Foreign Transfer of Guardianship (filed Jan. 30, 2026) — TOPICs reg. doc 2848.

A standing order of the Johnson County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2 setting the papers that must be attached to an application to receive and accept a guardianship transferred from another state.

Clay County Justice Court Local Rules (adopted Jan. 1, 2023; Judge Lanny R. Evans) — TOPICs reg. doc 1053.

The Justice Court of Clay County's local rules — Rules of Administration and Court Decorum — adopted Jan. 1, 2023 by Justice of the Peace Lanny R. Evans, covering the court's objectives, scope, jurisdiction, and administration and decorum requirements.

Clay County Justice Court Standing Order Regarding Credit for Time Served (Apr. 10, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 1874.

A standing order of the Clay County Justice Court applying the Code of Criminal Procedure's jail-credit rules — a defendant earns credit toward the fine and costs for time spent in jail on the offense charged.

Clay County Justice Court Standing Order Regarding Docketing or Continuance of a Criminal Case (Apr. 10, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 1875.

A standing order of the Clay County Justice Court on docketing and continuing criminal cases: a not-guilty plea or a notice of representation places the case on a pre-trial hearing docket, with the court's continuance procedures from there.

Clay County Justice Court Standing Order Regarding Request for Continuance of a Civil Case (Apr. 10, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 1876.

A standing order of the Clay County Justice Court requiring every civil continuance motion to carry a certificate of conference stating whether it is opposed and a proposed order.

Clay County Justice Court Standing Order Regarding Taking Pleas at the Jail (Apr. 10, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 1873.

A standing order of the Clay County Justice Court governing the taking of pleas from non-juvenile defendants at the jail, framed by the justice of the peace's dual magistrate and judicial roles under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/481)

Justice Court Precinct 1's page notice (Judge Alan Wheeler): effective Dec. 1, 2025 the court no longer accepts paper filings for civil and criminal cases — filers register and e-file through eFileTexas (guided instructions posted for new civil filings and filings into a case); a plea of not guilty on a traffic citation results in a pre-trial hearing being scheduled to speak with the prosecutor.

Request for Tow Hearing Instructions (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308, Subchapter J) with Request for Tow Hearing form, Denton County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 — posted on the precinct's page

Justice Court Precinct 1's instructions for tow hearings under Occupations Code chapter 2308, subchapter J: the owner or operator of a vehicle towed without consent to a storage facility may request a probable-cause hearing by delivering a written request to the court at 401 W. Hickory St., Suite 227, Denton, before the 14th day after the vehicle was removed (not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays); the request must be completed with the specified information and designate the county where the storage facility is located; the clerk accepts filings Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; a $41 filing fee is paid by cash or money order payable to Denton County JP 1 at filing; the packet includes the request form and notice of hearing.

Scheduling Order, Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 (Judge Alan Wheeler) — posted as 'JP1 Scheduling Order - 2026' on the precinct's Standing Orders page

Judge Alan Wheeler's scheduling order for Justice Court Precinct 1's debt claim and small claim cases (posted as the 2026 order): every new case is set for hearing on the last Thursday of the following month; served citations with no answer or default judgment on file are set for a case review 30 days from service; first continuances or retains reset to a 30-day case review; once an answer is filed the case is set for trial within 60 days and prior non-motion hearings are cancelled; unserved cases get a 30-day case review and citation must be requested within that time to stay on the docket; after an answer, trial is 30 days out, a granted discovery motion moves trial 45 days out, and a first granted continuance resets trial 30 days out; continuances filed less than 7 days before a hearing or trial are not reviewed unless the motion states an emergency; the court applies different timetables as a case dictates and continues to hear lawful motions.

Standing Order for Civil Trials, Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 — posted on the precinct's Standing Orders page

Justice Court Precinct 1's standing order for civil bench and jury trials: parties and witnesses dress appropriately (no shorts, flip-flops, hats or shirts with obscene or suggestive wording) with cell phones off; arrive on time and check in with the bailiff outside the courtroom; parties who have not tried to settle arrive 15 minutes early to do so and the judge asks before trial begins; all documents and exhibits to be used at trial are exchanged no less than 7 business days before trial, or they may be excluded or a continuance granted to the other side; bring enough exact copies for each party, the judge and any jury; the courtroom supports audio, video and image presentation from electronic devices but the court will not assist, and parties may schedule a compatibility test through the court; witnesses are scheduled to be present when trial begins, an absent witness may be excluded as the party is required to move forward, and witnesses do not check in with the bailiff or clerk.

Justice Court, Precinct 1 — Fee Schedule (eff. Jan. 1, 2026; updated Nov. 4, 2025) and Payment Rules (eff. Nov. 10, 2017 / Dec. 20, 2019), Tarrant County — posted on the court's county web page

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 of the Peace Court 1 — Important Notice (page last modified Feb. 11, 2026), Tarrant County court web page

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.

Local Rule: Notice of Court Procedure as to Non-Compliance with TRCP 510.16(b) Plaintiff Duties, Justice Court, Precinct One of Tarrant County (eff. Jan. 1, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 2823)

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.

Local Rule: Court Procedures for eFile Texas Filings and Copy Fee Assessment, Justice Court, Precinct One of Tarrant County (eff. Apr. 30, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 2949)

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.

Local Rule — Discovery, Justice Court, Precinct One of Tarrant County (eff. July 1, 2015; revised Apr. 30, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 2950)

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.

Electronic Filing (E-File Texas & E-File Texas Self-Help) Local Rule, Justice Court, Precinct One of Tarrant County (eff. July 1, 2019; modified Sept. 4, 2025; dated Sept. 5, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2555)

Judge Ralph Swearingin Jr.'s e-filing local rule for Justice Court Precinct One (in force since July 1, 2019; this edition modified Sept. 4, 2025 and dated Sept. 5, 2025): e-filing is the preferred method for all cases with limited exceptions; electronic court documents have been the official record since May 16, 2019; pro se litigants and attorneys are strongly encouraged to file evictions, small claims, debt claims and all later filings through eFile Texas Self-Help or eFile Texas; a litigant unable or electing not to e-file may request to file in person and the court decides case by case whether to grant an exception; a kiosk in the court office serves litigants without computer access; filings the systems cannot process are submitted in person.

Local Rule Electronic Communications (via eFile Texas (Preferred), Email and Fax), Justice Court, Precinct One of Tarrant County (dated Feb. 1, 2021; eff. Aug. 1, 2021) (TOPICs reg. doc 20)

Judge Ralph Swearingin Jr.'s local rule for Justice Court Precinct One (dated Feb. 1, 2021; effective Aug. 1, 2021): all communications between the court and litigants in every case must be sent through eFile Texas (preferred), e-mail or fax and must include a valid e-mail address; pro se litigants and attorneys alike are required to communicate electronically; court notices, copies and judgments issue from JP1court@tarrantcounty.com, and litigants must immediately report any change to their e-mail address.

Local Rule: Notice of Non-Recording of Court Proceedings and Staff Communication (By Any Means), Justice Court, Precinct One of Tarrant County (eff. Mar. 15, 2021) (TOPICs reg. doc 22)

Judge Ralph Swearingin Jr.'s local rule for Justice Court Precinct One (effective Mar. 15, 2021; bilingual English/Spanish notice): recording, taping or photographing by any means is strictly prohibited for any party participating in a court proceeding, remotely or in person, and for any party communicating with court staff at any time by any means; violators may be held in contempt.

Tarrant County Justice Court Pct. 1 — Rules and Procedures for E-Hearings and In-Person Hearings/Trials (page last modified Jan. 15, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

Justice Court Precinct 1's e-court procedures (page last modified Jan. 15, 2025): for Zoom settings the court must have the party's e-mail by noon the last business day before, shared with the other party; exhibits e-mailed to all parties and e-filed at least three business days before the hearing in legible .pdf, or they may not be considered; witnesses must appear by video with a separate feed and identification; continuance motions e-filed at least two days before trial, in writing and served; non-English speakers may need to bring a certified interpreter; the public may obtain access codes but recording is prohibited. The court's companion "Hearings and Trials" page (last modified Dec. 23, 2024) adds that the court currently cannot accept video exhibits except by e-mail, and its "E-Court Video Conference Request" page (last modified Apr. 4, 2025) sets the request process: requests by form, Adobe Sign or eFile; jury trials do not qualify; parties log in at least 15 minutes before the setting.

Standing Judicial Order Regarding Defendant's Extension to Pay/Payplan/Modification of Payments, Order Number 2022-0001, Justice Court, Precinct 1, Tarrant County (eff. July 21, 2022) (TOPICs reg. doc 21)

Judge Ralph Swearingin Jr.'s standing order 2022-0001 for Justice Court Precinct One: for any defendant pleading guilty, nolo contendere or no contest in person 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 (Loc. Gov't Code § 133.103).

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/482)

Justice Court Precinct 2's page notice (Judge James R. DePiazza): criminal e-filing is mandatory as of Sept. 1, 2025 through eFileTexas; the court does not accept civil filings after 4:00 p.m. daily, e-filing being available around the clock; the court's docket is viewed on the JP & County Court Calendar by selecting the judicial officer; deferred disposition, driving safety course and statutory dismissal requests may be made online.

Local Rule – Discovery, Justice Court, Precinct Two of Tarrant County, Texas (eff. July 1, 2015; revised May 1, 2026) — posted on the Justice Court, Precinct 2 document page, tarrantcountytx.gov

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.

Instructions If Your Defendant Is Located Outside of Tarrant County, OUT_OF_COUNTY_INSTRUCTIONS.pdf — posted on the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 page

Justice Court Precinct 2's instruction sheet: 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 agency name, county and precinct number 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; the sheet refers filers to the court's pamphlet on filing a justice court suit.

Local Rule: Continuance Requests, Tarrant County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 (eff. June 6, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1962)

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.

Local Rule — Discovery, Justice Court, Precinct Two of Tarrant County (eff. July 1, 2015; revised May 1, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 2952)

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.

Local Rule: eFile Submission Copy Fees, Tarrant County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 (dated Jan. 14, 2025; eff. Feb. 1, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2245)

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.

Local Rule: Electronic Appearance Requests, Tarrant County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 (eff. Mar. 14, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1999)

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.

Order Adopting a Youth Diversion Plan, Justice Court, Precinct 2, Tarrant County (eff. Jan. 1, 2025) (Youth_Diversion_Plan.pdf, posted on the court's county web page)

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.

Courtroom Policy, Judge James Kerbow, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3, Denton County — posted as 'Dress Code' on the precinct's page

Judge James Kerbow's courtroom policy for Justice Court Precinct 3 (Denton County Precinct 3 Government Center, 400 N. Valley Parkway, Suite 2012, Lewisville): electronic devices and cell phones turned off or silenced; packages, purses and briefcases subject to search by the bailiff at any time; persons causing distractions or disruptions may be removed; proper attire required — shorts only as part of an employer's dress code, no cutoffs, swimsuits, exposed midriffs, muscle shirts, sagging pants, revealing clothing or sleepwear, hats and caps removed, shoes required; no food or drinks in the courtroom.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 — Public Notice, Civil Filings and Hours, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/483)

Justice Court Precinct 3's page notices (Judge James Kerbow): since Sept. 1, 2022 civil electronic filings are no longer accepted by e-mail — all electronic filings, motions and requests in civil cases go through e-File; criminal e-filing becomes mandatory Sept. 1, 2026; civil filings must be filed 30 minutes before closing; the court opens at 9:00 a.m. on the first Friday of each month (hours Monday–Thursday 8–5, Friday 8–4, first Friday 9–4).

Compliance Dismissal Requirements ($10 fee and no-fee charts), Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 of Denton County — posted on the precinct's page

Justice Court Precinct 4's compliance-dismissal chart: for the $10-fee offenses (expired license, license restriction, failure to display license or update address, registration insignia and plate offenses, expired registration, defective equipment, window tint, vessel certificate) the defendant submits the listed documentation — renewal proof, affidavits that the defect is corrected and registration was valid, tax-office receipts including the delinquent penalty (within the later of 20 working days or the appearance date), or DPS removal of a restriction — and remits the $10 dismissal fee no later than the appearance date on the ticket; for the no-fee offenses (no insurance, boater and hunting, fishing and trapping license offenses, hunter-education certificate) the documentation or request is submitted within 10 days of the offense or by the appearance date, with insurance agents contacted to verify coverage; the court notes the list is not exhaustive, may change, and is not legal advice.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 — Public Notice and Civil Filings, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/484)

Justice Court Precinct 4's page notice (Judge Harris Hughey): effective Sept. 1, 2026 attorneys, apartments and property management companies are required to use E-File Texas for all pleadings — filings by mail, courier, UPS, FedEx, e-mail or in person are not accepted, and pleadings filed through E-File Self-Help (Guide and File) are not accepted; the requirement does not apply to self-represented individuals; civil filings must be filed 30 minutes before closing (hours Monday–Thursday 8–12 and 12:30–4, Friday 10–12 and 12:30–4).

Justice of the Peace Court 4 — Appeal Information (Eviction/Civil) (page last modified Jan. 30, 2026), Tarrant County court web page

Justice Court Precinct 4's appeal page (last modified Jan. 30, 2026): appeals are not accepted through eFile and must be filed in person; the page restates TRCP 510.19 (eviction appeals within 5 days) and 506.1 (civil appeals within 21 days; $500 plaintiff bond or twice the judgment for defendants) and sets the court's fee and payment terms — a $64 justice court appeal fee payable to Justice Court Four by cash (exact change), cashier's check, money order or firm check; rent payments for non-payment appeals in cash, cashier's check or money order; bonds set by the court with at least two sureties or a Statement of Inability; and the $350 county court at law fee paid to that court.

Court Standing Order — Emergency Mental Health Warrant, Tex. Health & Safety Code 573.012(a), Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Tarrant County (Nov. 17, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1696)

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.

Court Standing Order — Substitute or Alternate Service, T.R.C.P. Rule 501.2(e) and 510.4(c), Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Tarrant County (Nov. 20, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1697)

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.

Local Rule Electronic Communications, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Tarrant County (eff. Nov. 17, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1698)

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.

Local Rule: Non-Recording of Court Proceedings and Staff Communication, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Tarrant County (eff. Nov. 17, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1699)

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.

Local Rule Preferred Filing Method, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Tarrant County (Nov. 17, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1700)

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.

Standing Judicial Order Regarding Defendant's Extension to Pay/Payment Plan/Modification of Payments, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Tarrant County (eff. Nov. 17, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1695)

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 of the Peace Court 4 Youth Diversion Plan (eff. Jan. 1, 2025) — Tarrant County court web page (last modified Jan. 29, 2025)

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 of the Peace Precinct 5 — Public Notice, All Filings and Payments, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/486)

Justice Court Precinct 5's page notices (Judge Mike Oglesby): since Apr. 1, 2024 all electronic filings, motions and requests in civil cases (evictions, small claims, debt claims) must be made through eFile; criminal e-filing becomes mandatory July 2, 2026; all filings must be filed before 4 p.m. (eFile available around the clock); business checks are accepted but personal checks are not, and no cash, money-order or cashier's-check payments are taken after 4 p.m.; the office opens at 8:30 a.m.; the docket is viewed on the JP & County Court Calendar by judicial officer.

Instructions If Your Defendant Is Located Outside of Tarrant County (Sergio L. De Leon, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5; 2026), CITATION_OUT_OF_COUNTY_SERVICE_INSTRUCTION_2026.pdf — posted on the precinct's page

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.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 — Public Notice and Civil Filings, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/487)

Justice Court Precinct 6's page notices (Judge Blanca Oliver): since Dec. 1, 2023 all electronic filings, motions and requests in civil cases (evictions, small claims, debt claims) must be made through eFile; parties arrive 15 minutes before a scheduled hearing and check in at the court counter; civil filings must be filed before 4:00 p.m. (hours 8–12 and 12:30–4:30).

Justice of the Peace Court 6 — Appeal Information (page last modified July 22, 2022), Tarrant County court web page

Justice Court Precinct 6's appeal page (last modified July 22, 2022): appeals are not accepted through eFile; the $64 justice court appeal fee is payable to Justice of the Peace, Pct. 6 by cash (exact change), cashier's check, money order or check; the $350 county court at law filing fee is collected once the appeal is filed with the County Clerk; rent payments for non-payment appeals in cash; cash bonds must be cash only, surety bonds need at least two sureties. The page restates TRCP 510.9 (as then numbered) and 506.1 for eviction and civil appeals.

Court Standing Order — Emergency Mental Health Warrant, Tex. Health & Safety Code 573.012(a), Justice of the Peace, Precinct Six, Tarrant County (Nov. 6, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1676)

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.

Court Standing Orders — Substitute or Alternate Service, T.R.C.P. Rule 501.2(e) and T.R.C.P. 510.4(c), Justice of the Peace, Precinct Six, Tarrant County (Feb. 29, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1840)

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.

Dismissal Fees (DISMFEES.pdf), Justice of the Peace Precinct 6, Tarrant County — posted on the precinct's page

Justice Court Precinct 6's dismissal-fee chart for Class C compliance dismissals: a $10 administrative fee where the defect is remedied before the defendant's first court appearance — failing to display plates front and rear, failing to display the registration insignia (with proof of registration for the period), wrong-period, obscured, illuminated or coated plates or insignia, improperly equipped vehicles (not commercial), an expired vessel certificate remedied within 10 working days and not expired over 60 days, license to be carried and exhibited (license issued, appropriate and valid at the offense), and special restrictions or endorsements removed or imposed in error; a $20 administrative fee for driving with expired registration (remedied within 20 working days or before the first appearance, whichever is later, with the delinquent registration fee paid), expired inspection (remedied within 20 working days or before the first appearance and not expired over 60 days), driving with an expired driver's license and failing to give notice of a change of address or name (remedied within 20 working days or before the first appearance, whichever is later).

Justice Court 6 Remote Hearings (page last modified Oct. 22, 2024), Tarrant County court web page

Justice Court Precinct 6's remote-hearings page (last modified Oct. 22, 2024): all trials and hearings are scheduled in person; a party unable to appear in person must request remote appearance in writing with the reason, and if approved receives the court's meeting ID (TRCP 500.10); all settings are streamed live on YouTube for public access; remote participants must treat the Zoom hearing as a formal courtroom — business attire preferred and no sweatshirts, gym clothes or pajamas; camera on and muted until called; no lying down, driving, eating or leaving the session; a clean background, eye-level device, no fans or background media; disruptive behavior may be punished as contempt.

Justice of the Peace Court 7 — Important Notices (court web page, Tarrant County; Zoom notice eff. Apr. 1, 2024; continuance notice eff. July 15, 2024)

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.

Justice Court 7 — Local Rule Prohibiting Recordings, Tapings, and Photography in the Courtroom or Secured Office, Tarrant County (eff. Nov. 6, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1679)

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.

Electronic Filing (E-File Texas and E-File Texas Self-Help) Local Rule, Justice Court, Precinct 7 of Tarrant County (eff. Jan. 2, 2023) — posted on the court's county web page

Judge Kenneth D. Sanders's e-filing local rule for Justice Court Precinct 7 (effective Jan. 2, 2023): e-filing is the court's preferred filing method for all cases — paper filings accepted but strongly discouraged; all attorneys are required to e-file debt claims, evictions, small claims and subsequent filings; non-attorney litigants are strongly encouraged to use Guide and File/eFile; a kiosk serves parties without computer access.

Justice of the Peace Court 7 — Tickets/Citations, Tarrant County court web page (last modified June 2, 2026)

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.

Order Adopting a Youth Diversion Plan, Justice Court, Precinct 7, Tarrant County (signed Dec. 17, 2024; eff. Jan. 1, 2025) (2025youthdiversionprogram.pdf, posted on the court's county web page)

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.

JP Pct. 8 Fee Payments (page last modified Aug. 5, 2021), Tarrant County court web page

Justice Court Precinct 8's payment rules (page last modified Aug. 5, 2021; Judge Lisa R. Woodard): the office issues no refunds under any circumstances; in-person payments by cash, money order, cashier's check or personal check between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday–Friday except county holidays, with no personal checks on misdemeanor cases; mail payments by money order or cashier's check payable to Justice of the Peace Precinct 8 at 3500 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth; filing fees per the county JP filing fee schedule and the sheriff/constable service fee schedule.

Turnover and Receiver Local Rule, Justice Courts of Tarrant County, Texas (eff. March 26, 2019) — posted on the Justice Court, Precinct 2 document page, tarrantcountytx.gov

A county-wide Justice Court local rule governing post-judgment applications for turnover orders and appointment of receivers in aid of judgment collection, drawn from Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 31.002 (the turnover statute) and Chapter 64 (receivership).

Local Rules of Procedure and Rules of Decorum for the Justice of the Peace Courts, Montague, Texas (eff. Jan. 1, 2012; updated Sept. 1, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1757.

The local rules of procedure and rules of decorum for the Justice of the Peace Courts of Montague County — originally effective Jan. 1, 2012 and updated Sept. 1, 2023 — governing procedure and courtroom conduct in both justice precincts.

Parker County JP Precinct 2 — Civil Fees (www.parkercountytx.gov/322; custody 2026-09-06).

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2's civil filing instructions and fees: the filing and service fees, the copies required, and mail-filing instructions.

Montague County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Standing Order on Deferred Disposition (signed May 16, 2026; Judge Glen Neff) — TOPICs reg. doc 2970.

A standing order of Montague County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 (Judge Glen Neff) setting which offenses qualify for deferred disposition, the standard conditions, deferral periods, payment terms, and sworn-affidavit requirements.

Local Rules of the District Courts and County Courts at Law of Parker County, approved by Supreme Court of Texas Misc. Docket No. 09-9062 (eff. Apr. 1, 2009) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/83; custody 2026-09-06).

The master local rules for the 43rd and 415th District Courts and County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2 of Parker County (approved by the Supreme Court, Misc. Docket 09-9062): time standards, decorum, the civil docket calendar and setting process, district and county criminal dockets, civil pretrial and Rule 166 conferences, motion practice, trial procedure, and withdrawal and judgment submission.

Important Notice: Conversion to re:SearchTX for Civil Cases Only — District Clerk Sharena Gilliland and County Clerk Lila Deakle (eff. Feb. 18, 2025) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12104; custody 2026-09-06).

The Parker County District Clerk and County Clerk notice that, after conversion to re:SearchTX, the clerks no longer mail copies of orders, judgments and notices in civil, family and probate cases — notification is through re:SearchTX.

Administrative Order Regarding Assignment, Docketing and Transfer of Cases — Parker County Courts (adopted Nov. 5, 2004) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12061; custody 2026-09-06).

The Parker County administrative order governing how cases are assigned, docketed and transferred among the district courts and county courts at law: random assignment, the courts that hear particular case types, transfers, consolidation, emergency applications and conflicting settings.

Parker County Court Administrative Order Regarding Applications to Probate a Will More Than Four Years after the Testator's Death (eff. June 15, 2023) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10190; custody 2026-09-06).

The Parker County Court's administrative order for an application to probate a will more than four years after the testator's death: appointment of an attorney ad litem for unknown or disabled heirs, the notice attached to each citation, and the service or waiver each heir must give.

Parker County Probate Court Docket and Procedures (rev. June 11, 2025) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12313; custody 2026-09-06).

The Parker County Court's probate docket and procedures sheet: in-person hearings, the docket schedule and coordinator, the Probate Auditor's readiness requirement, will-filing and guardianship prerequisites, the dress code, and the attorney-compensation addendum.

Parker County Probate Court Small Estate Affidavit Checklist (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5988; custody 2026-09-06).

The Parker County Probate Court's sixteen-item checklist a Small Estate Affidavit must satisfy before the court will approve it.

Parker County Court Uniform Standing Order Regarding Pro Se Applicants (eff. Apr. 3, 2023) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10720; custody 2026-09-06).

The Parker County Court's standing order requiring a fiduciary applicant in probate and guardianship to be represented by a licensed attorney, with limited exceptions a pro se party may pursue.

Parker County District Clerk page — E-filing Tips (www.parkercountytx.gov/182; custody 2026-09-06).

The Parker County District Clerk's e-filing tips: proposed orders as separate lead documents, exhibits as one document, and the requirement to name (not initial) the parties in family-case captions.

Local Administrative Rule — Family Law Filings, Parker County District Courts (eff. Oct. 20, 2015) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2468; custody 2026-09-06).

A local administrative rule of the Parker County District Courts directing the District Clerk to refuse a family pleading that omits the required notice or that styles the parties or children by initials only.

Parker County Justice of the Peace page (www.parkercountytx.gov/185; custody 2026-09-06).

The county-wide Justice of the Peace courtroom rules: the ex parte prohibition, prohibited items, the requirement to be present and to provide document copies, and attire.

Standing Order of the District Courts and County Courts at Law of Parker County (Appendix C to the Local Rules; signed Aug. 7, 2008) (www.parkercountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/83; custody 2026-09-06).

The standing order of the Parker County District Courts and County Courts at Law (Appendix C to the local rules) requiring a party seeking conservatorship or access in a contested SAPCR or modification to complete an approved parenting program before final trial.

Rules of Practice in the 271st Judicial District Court of Wise and Jack Counties, County Court at Law No. 1 and County Court at Law No. 2 of Wise County (registered June 21, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1437.

The master local rules for the 271st Judicial District Court (Wise and Jack Counties) and the Wise County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2: time standards, scheduling and mediation, civil and family procedure, criminal procedure, courtroom decorum, withdrawal and substitution of counsel, submission of judgments, and clerk electronic-filing procedures.

Stephens County Local Rules Pertaining to Defendants on Bond (90th District Court, County Court, Justice of the Peace; adopted Feb. 29, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 1839.

Local rules jointly adopted by the 90th Judicial District Court, the Stephens County Court and the Justice of the Peace Court for Stephens County, imposing bond conditions on criminal defendants under Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.40 — no drug use with random testing, and school or work.

County Court at Law No. 1 — Appeals from Justice Court (page last modified June 9, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 1's procedures for appeals from the justice courts (page last modified June 9, 2025): eviction appeals set for trial within two to three weeks of a written trial request; other justice-court appeals referred to Dispute Resolution Services unless another mediator is requested; appeals are tried de novo under the full rules of procedure and evidence; entities must appear through Texas counsel; pro se litigants held to attorney standards; cameras and recordings prohibited.

County Court at Law No. 1 — Court Policies (page last modified June 9, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

Judge Don Pierson's County Court at Law No. 1 policies (page last modified June 9, 2025): coats and ties for male counsel, no flip-flops, shorts, sweat suits or athletic wear; no photography or recording without permission; no faxing or e-mailing pleadings, motions, letters or briefs without permission; pro se litigants held to attorney standards; occupational driver's licenses typically heard in Courts 2 and 3; TROs heard as the judge is available, other courts' TROs only with that judge's permission, and Local Rules ex parte compliance required; substitute service on an individual requires evidence of current residence and at least three attempts, one before 7:30 a.m. or after 6:30 p.m. (none on entities — Secretary of State service with the Whitney Certificate); default judgments by submission with affidavit damages unless a hearing is required; dismissal notices when citation is not returned within 180 days, and for cases over 10 months old with an unanswered served defendant or no trial setting.

County Court at Law No. 1 — Trial and Pre Trial Procedures (page last modified Oct. 16, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

Judge Don Pierson's County Court at Law No. 1 trial and pre-trial procedures (page last modified Oct. 16, 2025): no settlement, dismissal or nonsuit involving a minor without an ad litem's recommendation; agreed scheduling orders with jury trials set as "the week of" a Monday; mediation before trial when ordered, with opposed parties moving and conferring; a certificate of conference (with prescribed wording) before any non-dispositive motion is set, none required for summary judgments; telephone motion hearings by agreement; agreed continuances in cases under a year old granted without hearing, signatures of all counsel required for older cases, opposed continuances heard; eviction appeals given docket priority and continued only for good cause (medical good cause by physician letter) for two weeks or less; an 18-person jury panel unless arranged a week ahead; juror questionnaires by agreement; expert challenges filed more than a week before trial; motions in limine, exhibit and witness lists and the proposed charge or findings filed and exchanged by the morning of trial, with the charge e-mailed to the court reporter (BJPartin@tarrantcountytx.gov) the business day before.

County Court at Law No. 2 — Dismissal Procedures (page last modified June 15, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 2's dismissal-docket procedure (page last modified June 15, 2015): after a six-month notice the case is dismissed in 45 days unless a letter to the coordinator, a motion to retain, a trial-setting letter or a final judgment arrives; after a twelve-month notice, dismissal in 30 days unless a motion to retain, trial-setting letter, final judgment, or a summary-judgment motion with a motion to retain is filed; retained and reinstated cases carry a date certain and receive no further notice.

County Court at Law No. 2 — General Motion Practice (page last modified June 15, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 2's motion practice (page last modified June 15, 2015): motions heard every morning and occasionally Friday afternoons, obtainable in three to 45 days, emergencies by calling the coordinator; no non-dispositive motion, objection or special exception set without a certificate of conference in the prescribed wording; on discovery motions and special exceptions the parties confer again on the hearing date; telephone hearings by agreement and court approval where no evidence or record is needed; submission dockets for appropriate motions unless the opponent objects; unliquidated damages proved up by testimony, liquidated damages by written instruments without a hearing.

County Court at Law No. 2 — Occupational License Procedures (page last modified May 19, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 2's occupational driver's license procedures (page last modified May 19, 2025): the county courts at law lack jurisdiction over DWI-conviction suspensions and petitioners must be Tarrant residents for local suspensions; most unopposed petitions granted without a hearing; internet forms for criminal courts rejected, fill-in forms retyped; an affidavit separate from the verified petition with the license number, jurisdictional facts, suspension date, essential-need facts, hours and areas of travel, any four-hour-restriction waiver, interlock status for prior DWIs, SR-22 proof and an agreement to comply; repeat-DWI petitioners must install an interlock and restrict the order to that vehicle; a log-book clause and 12-hour daily limit; every order carries the court's standard conditions (no radar detector, no refusal of breath/blood/urine, no alcohol four hours before or while driving, no moving-violation convictions, liability insurance and SR-22, alcohol counseling with reporting); ALR appeals add an upholding clause; five business days for signature; the petitioner, not the clerk, forwards the certified order to DPS.

County Court at Law No. 2 — Summary Judgment Procedures (page last modified June 15, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 2's summary-judgment procedure (page last modified June 15, 2015): motions are set for submission and ruled on with any affidavit objections and reply without a hearing unless a party wishes to be heard, both wish to argue the law, or the court requests one; the movant's notice of hearing is forwarded to the opponent, who may request an oral hearing up to seven days before the submission date; parties are encouraged to submit proposed orders, otherwise the prevailing party prepares one and obtains the opponent's signature as to form.

County Court at Law No. 2 — Trial Procedures (page last modified May 19, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 2's trial procedures (page last modified May 19, 2025): parties must be ready when placed on the trial docket, with the coordinator calling by 3:30 p.m. the day before to say whether a case will be reached; continuances under Local Rule 3.02 and TRCP 251–254, agreed continuances generally granted; expert challenges set at least a week before trial; preferential settings by written request; scheduling conferences before pretrial orders in Level 3 cases; pretrial mediation required in most cases with a court-appointed mediator sent with the trial setting, subject to an agreed objection; motion in limine, exhibit list, witness list and proposed charge or findings filed and exchanged by the morning of trial, the charge e-mailed to the court reporter by noon Friday (or noon Tuesday for Wednesday trials); limine hearings over an hour set the week before; open-ended voir dire with cause challenges at the bench; exhibits pre-marked and conferred on. The court states that where these procedures conflict with the county local rules, the site controls; the court-rules page adds that pro se litigants are held to attorney standards.

County Court at Law No. 3 — AA / Occupational Driver's License Reporting (page last modified Aug. 30, 2023), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 3's reporting rule for occupational-license holders ordered to attend alcohol counseling (page last modified Aug. 30, 2023): weekly attendance is reported by 5 p.m. on the Monday after the week attended and monthly attendance by 5 p.m. on the first day of the following month; a late report revokes the occupational license without further notice and bars any license for at least 60 days; any personal, church or secular recovery program qualifies.

County Court at Law No. 3 — Annuity Sales Procedures (page last modified May 19, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 3's structured-settlement annuity transfer procedure (page last modified May 19, 2015): every annuity sale requires a hearing; filings must state the petitioner's reason for sale, the equivalent interest rate if the sale were a loan, any prior transfers, and attach the final judgment where the annuity arose from a lawsuit settlement; if the petitioner's best interest is not readily apparent the court may appoint an attorney ad litem at the proposed purchaser's expense to investigate and report.

County Court at Law No. 3 — Dismissal Procedures (page last modified May 22, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 3's dismissal-docket procedure (page last modified May 22, 2015): after a six-month notice the case is dismissed in 45 days unless a letter to the coordinator, motion to retain, trial-setting letter or final judgment arrives; after a twelve-month notice, in 30 days unless a motion to retain, trial-setting letter, final judgment, or summary-judgment motion with a motion to retain is filed; a 'Finality Notice' signals imminent disposal; retained and reinstated cases carry a date certain with no further notice.

County Court at Law No. 3 — Motion Practice (page last modified May 22, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 3's motion rules (page last modified May 22, 2015): no non-dispositive motion, objection or special exception is set without the prescribed certificate of conference; parties appearing for a motion are first directed to confer on the points of contention; motions needing no additional evidence may be heard by telephone or video conference by agreement and court approval, the movant arranging the call.

County Court at Law No. 3 — Occupational License Procedures (page last modified Oct. 31, 2023), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 3's occupational driver's license procedures (page last modified Oct. 31, 2023): no jurisdiction over DWI-conviction suspensions; Tarrant residency for local suspensions; most unopposed petitions granted without a hearing, but pro se litigants and petitioners under 25 require one and fill-in-the-blank forms are not accepted; a separate affidavit with the listed contents; since Sept. 1, 2023 a certified abstract of the petitioner's complete driving record under Transportation Code § 521.2421; interlock and log-book clauses; hearings required for safety-responsibility, habitual-violator, under-25 alcohol suspensions, all pro se applications and on the District Attorney's request; the court's Preferred Order with the standard conditions; ALR-appeal clause; five business days for signature; the petitioner forwards the certified order to DPS.

Misc. Order 2023-9002, Standing Order for Jury Trials and Pre-Trial Proceedings, Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 (adopted Apr. 26, 2023; eff. May 1, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1330)

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.

Misc. Order 2023-9001, Standing Order for Remote Hearings Before the Court, Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 (adopted Apr. 26, 2023; eff. May 1, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1329)

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.

Misc. Order 2023-9003, Standing Order for Remote Trials Before the Court (TBC), Tarrant County Court at Law No. 3 (adopted Apr. 26, 2023; eff. May 1, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1331)

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.

County Court at Law No. 3 — Summary Judgment Procedures (page last modified May 22, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 3's summary-judgment procedure (page last modified May 22, 2015): motions are set for submission and ruled on with affidavit objections and any reply without a hearing unless a party wishes to be heard, both wish to argue the law, or the court asks; the non-movant may request an oral hearing not later than seven days before submission; proposed orders encouraged, otherwise the prevailing party prepares the order and obtains the opponent's signature as to form.

County Court at Law No. 3 — Trial Procedures (page last modified Feb. 6, 2026), Tarrant County court web page

County Court at Law No. 3's trial procedures (page last modified Feb. 6, 2026): all cases on the trial docket are generally reached; continuances under Local Rule 3.02 and TRCP 251–254 with the site controlling any conflict; an agreed continuance of the first setting is generally granted in cases under a year old; expert objections filed the Wednesday before trial for a Thursday hearing, late ones heard at the court's discretion; motion in limine, exhibit list, witness list and proposed charge or findings filed and exchanged by the morning of trial, the charge e-mailed to court reporter Breck C. Record by noon Friday (noon Tuesday for Wednesday trials) or tendered on a flash drive before voir dire.

County Criminal Court No. 8 — Court Rules and Procedures (page last modified July 18, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

County Criminal Court No. 8's posted rules and procedures (page last modified July 18, 2025): be on time; no young children, food or beverages; faxed letters of representation accepted and vacation/CLE letters by fax or e-mail to the coordinator; all case inquiries through the coordinator — Judge Vanover takes no calls from litigants; a strict dress code with attorneys responsible for their clients; phones off or confiscated; appointments only from the Office of Attorney Appointments' approved wheel with reimbursement generally required; in-custody defendants are not pulled automatically — one working day's notice for a plea or hearing; no audio or video recording without written permission.

County Criminal Court No. 8 — Court Settings (page last modified June 15, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Criminal Court No. 8's docket structure (page last modified June 15, 2015): the Pre-Trial docket is the general setting; the Initial Appearance docket settles representation before a case progresses (then ~30-day pass to Announcement); Contest dockets on Monday mornings with a jury picked Monday afternoon and a second trial mid-week; at Announcement the defense announces disposition or trial and the case is set 60–90 days out; Disposition/Plea settings require the judge's approval for any continuance; all pre-trial motions must be filed within thirty days after the Announcement setting with hearing dates requested from the coordinator; probation revocations are preceded by a court conference where possible. Attorneys and defendants must appear at every setting unless excused by the judge or coordinator.

County Criminal Court No. 8 — Rules of Conduct for Counsel While in Trial (page last modified May 14, 2015), Tarrant County court web page

County Criminal Court No. 8's trial-conduct rules for counsel (page last modified May 14, 2015): be on time, brief legal objections, stand to object, no responding to objections without leave, no talking over others; bring appropriate clothing for in-custody clients; punishment elections and probation applications filed before jury selection only if the jury is to assess punishment; voir dire time announced beforehand; challenges for cause made as they become apparent (State before passing the panel, Defense before concluding), no individual voir dire; witnesses instructed to answer directly, follow the Rule, be present and dressed appropriately; no pointing firearms at anyone in the courtroom; exhibits pre-marked; post-trial juror contact limited to professional conduct with no discussion of matters not in evidence.

County Criminal Court No. 9 — Court Settings (page last modified Apr. 9, 2024), Tarrant County court web page

County Criminal Court No. 9's setting progression (page last modified Apr. 9, 2024): Initial Appearance dockets in Trial Room D on the 7th floor to secure counsel and bond conditions; an Evidence Exchange setting by which the State must have opened all discovery and made its offer — defendants need not appear unless bond conditions are pending; Consultation and Status settings (defendants required) for plea or memo agreements; Disposition as the last date before the trial docket with the State's best and final offer; trials Mondays and Wednesdays with evidence beginning immediately after jury selection, in-custody defendants first.

County Criminal Court No. 9 — Trial Procedures (page last modified Apr. 10, 2024), Tarrant County court web page

County Criminal Court No. 9's trial procedures (page last modified Apr. 10, 2024): be on time (e-mail or call the coordinator if delayed); brief legal objections; no talking over others; pre-mark exhibits; all pretrial motions other than a dispositive motion to suppress are heard the day of trial or run with trial; each side gets one free continuance, later motions case by case, and day-of-trial motions generally denied; parties may move freely in the well; in-custody defendants dressed out by counsel; defendants wait away from potential jurors; 30 minutes per side for voir dire with more as needed; challenges for cause after voir dire; digital presentations ready on the court's Maverick screen.

Tarrant County Local Rules, Part 5, Rule 5.33: Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings (adopted Mar. 27, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 3103, registered 08/27/2026)

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.

Notice to Defendant Released Prior to Appointment of Lawyer (Revised 5-22-09), Tarrant County Criminal Courts — posted under the criminal courts' shared documents

The criminal courts' notice handed to defendants released from custody before their request for appointed counsel is processed (revised May 22, 2009): no attorney has yet been appointed and the defendant must qualify under the county financial guidelines; a defendant claiming inability to afford counsel completes a financial questionnaire (pay stubs or W-2 may be required) and the judge rules on eligibility, with possible repayment of appointed-counsel fees; because attorneys are appointed by the end of the business day following the request, the defendant must report in person today or the next business day, Monday–Friday 9–11:30 a.m. or 1:30–4 p.m. (next business day after a weekend or holiday release), to the Auxiliary Courtroom on the 7th floor of the Tarrant County Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap; defendants hiring their own attorney need not report.

Standing Order Regarding Certain Discovery Matters, No. 3393, Criminal Courts of Tarrant County (July 16, 2024; filed July 17, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2001)

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.

Standing Order Regarding Files of the Community Supervision and Corrections Department of Tarrant County, Texas (signed May 2023; filed May 31, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1404; supersedes AO 2461 and AO 2613)

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).

Standing Order Sealing Personal Information About Jurors, No. 3394, Criminal Courts of Tarrant County (July 16, 2024; filed July 17, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2002)

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)).

Standing Order Regarding Transfer of Cases Between Courts, No. 3392, Statutory County Criminal Courts of Tarrant County (July 16, 2024; filed July 17, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2000)

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.

Criminal District Court No. 2 — Rules of Conduct for Counsel While in Trial (page last modified June 12, 2025), Tarrant County court web page

Criminal District Court No. 2's trial-conduct rules (page last modified June 12, 2025): be on time, brief legal objections, stand to object or address the court; the typical trial week — Monday morning jury selection with hearings outside the jury's presence in the afternoon, openings and testimony Tuesday afternoon then daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a large touchscreen TV with two HDMI inputs for both parties; counsel must bring appropriate clothing for in-custody clients to the bailiff before trial, or advise the court at least 24 hours before if unable; the court covers juror qualifications, exemptions, scheduling and basic constitutional issues before the parties' voir dire; challenges for cause at the end of voir dire; questionnaires and seating charts provided early; a digital timer for jury selection and argument; witnesses present, ready and appropriately dressed; no pointing firearms at anyone in the courtroom; ask permission to approach a witness.

Criminal District Court No. 3 — Rules of Conduct for Counsel While in Trial (page last modified Jan. 27, 2026), Tarrant County court web page

Criminal District Court No. 3's trial-conduct rules (page last modified Jan. 27, 2026), provided so counsel know the judge's rules before trial: be on time, brief legal objections, stand to object or address the court, use the podium when questioning a witness; bring appropriate clothing for in-custody clients to the bailiff before trial; challenges for cause at the end of voir dire; witnesses present, ready and appropriately dressed (no blue jeans, shorts or T-shirts); no pointing firearms at anyone in the courtroom; ask permission to approach a witness, the court reporter or the bench; notify the court before a witness testifies of any anticipated dispute over an exhibit or testimony.

Local Rule for the Family District Courts of Tarrant County Regarding Title IV-D Child Support Services (adopted Dec. 18, 2006; approved Sup. Ct. Misc. Docket No. 07-9023, Jan. 30, 2007; supersedes Misc. Docket No. 00-9063) (TOPICs reg. doc 340)

Local rule of the Tarrant County Family District Courts, adopted by the seven family judges on Dec. 18, 2006 and approved by the Supreme Court of Texas (Misc. Docket No. 07-9023, Jan. 30, 2007): every final divorce decree signed on or after Oct. 16, 2000 that orders child support, and every final paternity decree not obtained by a IV-D agency that orders child support, is deemed to include an application for Title IV-D child support services through the Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office and the Office of the Attorney General (Family Code ch. 231); an obligee may decline by filing a written Refusal of Child Support Services and may later apply to the Attorney General directly. Supersedes the 2000 rule (Misc. Docket No. 00-9063).

Order of Instruction Regarding Certificate of Adoption, Tarrant County Family District Courts (Jan. 2019) (TOPICs reg. doc 529)

Order of the Tarrant County family district judges (January 2019) instructing the District Clerk on the Certificate of Adoption: the Clerk completes Section 4 and, on request, hands the certificate to the adoptive parents' attorney (or the adoptive parents if pro se), who then mail the completed certificate with the fees to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Texas Department of Health, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, Texas 78711-2040.

Standing Order Regarding Birth Certificates and Alternate Proof of Identity, Tarrant County Family District Courts (registered Apr. 17, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 2932)

Standing order of the Tarrant County family district judges (registered Apr. 17, 2026; signed by Judges Nevarez 231st, Munford 322nd, Newell 233rd, Poulos 324th and Bennett 360th): the District Clerk must seal every birth certificate, and every alternative proof of a child's parents' identity, filed under Texas Family Code § 102.008(c-1).

Tarrant County Family Law Local Rules, Part 4: Rules for Disposition of Family Law Cases (eff. June 1, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1342, registered 06/01/2023)

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).

Discovery — Local Rules, Justice Courts of Tarrant County, Texas (eff. July 1, 2015; signed by the justices of the peace) — posted on the county's Justice of the Peace Courts document page

The county-wide Justice Courts Local Rules for Discovery, effective July 1, 2015 and signed by the justices of the peace (the signature page names Hon. Sergio De Leon, Precinct 5; Hon. Matt Hayes, Precinct 7; Hon. Gary Ritchie, Precinct 6, among the signers): court-approved pretrial discovery only (TRCP 500.9 as then numbered); an objection-proof General Disclosure Request; a discovery period from the signed order to 30 days before trial; six deposition hours and fifteen interrogatories, fifteen requests for production and fifteen requests for admission per party; supplementation 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 written request; and 30-day post-judgment discovery objections. Precincts 1 and 2 re-issued the same text as court-specific revisions in 2026 (TOPICs docs 2950 and 2952).

Turnover and Receiver Local Rule, Justice Courts of Tarrant County, Texas (eff. Mar. 26, 2019; revised Mar. 18, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2097, registered 10/18/2024)

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.

Local Rules for the Justice of the Peace Courts, Tarrant County, Texas (eff. 01/01/2012) — posted on the county's Justice of the Peace Courts document page (jplocalrules_jan2012_comb.pdf)

The county-wide Local Rules for the Justice of the Peace Courts of Tarrant County (effective Jan. 1, 2012, promulgated under Gov't Code § 27.061; posted on the county's Justice Courts document page): courtroom conduct and decorum defaults where a precinct has no written code of its own; attorney conduct; broadcast requests decided case by case; the civil, criminal, administrative and magistration jurisdiction map with the governing statutes; telephone hearings on advance written request (the judge never initiates the call); drafting rules for judgments and orders; motions to withdraw granted without hearing only with client and opposing consents and a last-known-address certificate; civil and criminal transfers between precincts at the judges' discretion (10 days for a defendant to object in criminal cases); criminal filing venue by precinct of offense (school-attendance cases anywhere in the county), docket call and setting practice with 24-hour reset requests, written jury waivers, clerk-set pretrial dockets, and standard fine lists.

Tarrant County Juvenile Board Indigent Defense Plan (dated May 17, 2023) — posted on the Tarrant County Juvenile Courts attorney-list page, tarrantcountytx.gov

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 Local Rules, Part 5: Rules Governing Proceedings in Cases Before the Criminal Courts (adopted Mar. 11, 2025; Rule 5.33 adopted Mar. 27, 2026; Rule 5.44(b) amended June 4, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 3103, registered 08/27/2026)

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.

Local Rules of Court of Tarrant County, Texas, Part 1: General Rules (eff. Jan. 1, 1999; approved Sup. Ct. Misc. Docket No. 99-9164, Sept. 13, 1999) (TOPICs reg. doc 349 "General Local Rules"; the same Part 1 opens docs 148 "Civil Local Rules" and 1318 "General Tarrant County Court Rules")

Part 1 of the Local Rules of Court of Tarrant County — standing orders of every district court and statutory county court in the county (Rule 1.01), adopted by the trial judges in Council under Gov't Code § 74.093 and approved by the Supreme Court of Texas (Misc. Docket No. 99-9164, Sept. 13, 1999). It binds pro se parties to the same requirements as counsel and deems mail to a pro se litigant's address of record constructively received (Rule 1.02); assigns cases by random selection with fixed rules for juvenile, delinquent-tax, bill-of-review, garnishment and transfer matters (Rule 1.03); sets jury and non-jury weeks (1.04); requires counsel to telephone the coordinator and give written notice within three days of a bankruptcy filing (1.05); requires pleadings to be filed with the Clerk, briefs and proposed orders to go to the Court Coordinator, and every motion for affirmative relief to carry a proposed order (1.06); prescribes which discovery responses are filed and which are only served with a Certificate of Written Discovery (1.07); ranks conflicting settings (1.10); and governs attorney vacations (1.11) and judicial absences (1.12).

Local Rules of Court of Tarrant County, Texas, Part 3: Rules for Disposition of Civil Cases (eff. Jan. 1, 1999; approved Sup. Ct. Misc. Docket No. 99-9164, Sept. 13, 1999) (TOPICs reg. doc 148 "Civil Local Rules"; the same print registered as doc 1318 "General Tarrant County Court Rules" for the county courts at law)

Part 3 of the Tarrant County Local Rules governs civil cases in the civil district courts and county courts at law: ADR referral on the court's motion or agreement (3.01(a)); trial settings on written request no sooner than 75 days out, with seven-day objection windows (3.01(c)–(e)); continuance motions filed by the Wednesday before trial and heard Thursday at 2:00 p.m. (3.02); trial procedure — dilatory pleas heard 30 days before trial, witness and exhibit lists, motions in limine and charge requests delivered when parties report for trial, and page-and-line designations for videotaped depositions 14/10/7 days out (3.03); settlement prove-ups and unliquidated default hearings scheduled through the Court Coordinator (3.04); stipulation duties (3.05); certificate-of-conference motion practice, coordinator-set hearings, telephone hearings and submission by agreement (3.06); deposition guidelines — Tarrant County depositions, expert-report fees, ten-day notice presumption and a required conference recital in every notice (3.11); sanctions for frivolous discovery objections (3.12); matters requiring immediate action and ex parte certificates (3.30); private process servers (3.40); and 30-day notice before dismissal for want of prosecution (3.90).

Court Policies, Tarrant County Probate Court No. 1 (courtpoliciesfinal.pdf, posted on the court's Court Policies page)

Probate Court No. 1's posted Court Policies: uncontested dockets mainly Mondays and Thursdays, contested matters Tuesdays and Wednesdays with time estimates; hearings requested by e-mail (first come, first served) with a minimum of 3 days' notice and an e-filed confirmation letter; proposed proofs, oath and order e-filed at least 5 days before the hearing or it may be cancelled; court reporter requests at scheduling and never less than 5 business days out; a genuine attempt to resolve discovery disputes before any hearing; hearings in person with Zoom only when absolutely necessary; submissions by agreement; the certificate-of-conference rule strictly enforced; in camera materials retained no more than 10 days; ex parte relief (other than with original petitions) requires proof of notice to appearing parties; business attire and phones off; ad litem lists kept by the court administrator (decedents' estates) and court investigator (guardianships) with résumé, certification and a conference with the judge; attorney-fee applications judged under Rule 1.04 and Rohrmoos; scheduling orders in all contested cases with the court unlikely to move agreed trial dates; mediation required before final trial absent good cause; the associate judge hears anything but jury trials; pre-trial conference about 10 days before trial; juror questionnaires 30 days before trial; voir dire with individual questioning at the bench and cause challenges outside the panel's presence; voir dire and arguments unrecorded unless requested; counsel stand to object and ask permission to approach; no gratuities.

Probate Court No. 1 — Hearings & Trials (page last modified Mar. 11, 2026), Tarrant County court web page

Probate Court No. 1's hearing and trial procedures (page last modified Mar. 11, 2026): uncontested prove-ups and motions scheduled by e-mail to probatecourt1@tarrantcountytx.gov (first come, first served), then an e-filed hearing setting letter with the requesting party notifying all necessary parties; under the court's standing orders (Standing Order No. 17-AF00001-1 and the Uniform Standing Order on Court Rules for E-Filing) all proposed documents for uncontested applications must be e-filed at least five business days before the hearing or it may be cancelled; the Local Rules' certificate-of-conference rule is strictly enforced; contested litigation proceeds by docket control worksheet and agreed scheduling order; hearings needing a record must say so when requested (official reporter Michelle Stewart).

Policy of Pro Se Representation in Tarrant County Probate Court No. 1 (Judge Christopher W. Ponder letterhead), Pro-Se-policy.pdf — posted on the probate courts' shared documents tree

Probate Court No. 1's policy statement on pro se representation (issued under former Judge Christopher W. Ponder and still posted on the probate courts' shared documents tree): the right to self-representation covers only one's own rights; under Texas law only a licensed attorney may represent third-party individuals or entities, including guardianship wards and probate estates (Steele v. McDonald), so applying to probate a will and be appointed executor, applying to become administrator, and applying for a guardianship all require counsel because an estate appears only through its personal representative; a person may proceed pro se to probate a will as a muniment of title when the applicant is the sole beneficiary (whether a muniment is the correct procedure being a legal decision best made by an attorney) or merely to contest another's appointment without seeking appointment; the mandate cannot be circumvented by labeling the representation 'next friend' or 'friend of the court'; the Tarrant County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service is offered for referrals.

Standing Order No. 17-AF00001-1, Standing Order Amending Time for Filing Hearing Documents in Hearings on Uncontested Applications in Tarrant County Probate Court One (Oct. 4, 2017) — posted on the court's Court Policies page (AdminOrderFilingDocs.pdf)

Probate Court No. 1's standing order (Oct. 4, 2017) amending Section VII of the Uniform Standing Order on Court Rules for E-Filing so that all documents required for a hearing on an uncontested application (proofs, oath, order) must be e-filed as lead documents at least five business days before the hearing, replacing the three-day requirement of the 2014 rules.

Pro Se Policy (as of Jan. 1, 2018), Judge, Probate Court No. 2, Tarrant County — posted with the court's decedent's-estates forms

Probate Court No. 2's Pro Se Policy (as of Jan. 1, 2018, issued under Judge Brooke Allen and still posted with the court's decedent-estate forms): no personal representative of a decedent's estate is appointed unless represented by a Texas-licensed attorney (Steele v. McDonald); a pro se applicant may represent only themself, never other beneficiaries; a pro se may probate a will as a muniment of title only if four years have not elapsed, the original self-proved will signed by the decedent and two witnesses is filed, the applicant is the sole beneficiary and the only debts are secured by real-estate liens; filing with the Probate Clerk (Rm. B90), the posting period, setting the hearing by telephone, completing the Proof and Order in advance, and the in-person hearing procedure.

Probate Court 2 — Zoom Hearings (2025 instructions), Tarrant County — posted on the court's county web page

Probate Court No. 2's 2025 Zoom hearing instructions: under TRCP 21d only uncontested muniments of title, administrations and some heirships are heard by Zoom; hearings are requested through the coordinators (Elva Castilleja for Judge Allen's settings; Melissa McKechnie for Judge Bell's) with a confirming letter verifying the date and time, video/audio ability of the applicant and witnesses, and a notary present for the oath and proofs; one standing Zoom link per judge, shared with all attorneys, witnesses and disinterested parties in advance; formal decorum, court attire, no driving, full names, and a ban on audio or video recording; all exhibits (e.g., the will) in hand to authenticate under the Rules of Evidence.

Court Rules for E-Filing in the Tarrant County Probate Courts, effective Oct. 1, 2014, promulgated by Uniform Standing Order No. 14-AF00014-1 and 2 (Judges Steve M. King and Patrick W. Ferchill) — posted on Probate Court No. 1's Court Policies page (efilingrules.pdf)

The statutory probate courts' Court Rules for E-Filing (promulgated by Uniform Standing Order No. 14-AF00014-1 and 2 under TRCP 21; effective Oct. 1, 2014, under Judges Steve M. King and Patrick W. Ferchill and still posted by Probate Court No. 1): all attorney filings are e-filed except original wills and codicils (a copy e-filed, the original delivered to the clerk within three business days with a chain-of-custody re-stapling protocol), trust originals, citation returns, surety bonds, subpoenas, exemplified documents, transferred matters and trial exhibits; sensitive data redacted by the filer (motion to redact for wills), sensitive information (medical certificates, ad litem and visitor reports, criminal-history and APS records) handled as non-public and mental-health and emergency-protective-services filings never e-filed; text-searchable unlocked PDFs with a document footer and a full attorney block; electronic signatures, notarizations and unsworn declarations; lead documents filed separately (never scanned together) with proposed orders as lead documents in the same transaction; cover letters as lead documents for citation, letters and copy instructions; a motion and order required for every private process server; e-service completes on transmission but the three-day notice-of-hearing rule still applies; settings requested and confirmed by e-mail to the coordinators with the requester notifying all parties; contract court reporters and interpreters, cancellations at least 24 hours ahead; vacation notices to the clerk and court; ad litem filings fee-waived; guardianship information letters and guardian-of-the-person reports by non-attorneys; step-by-step checklists for wills, muniments, administrations, heirships and guardianships with hearing documents e-filed three days ahead (Probate Court No. 1 later moved this to five business days by Standing Order No. 17-AF00001-1).

Uniform Standing Order on Waiver of Filing Fees of Attorneys Ad Litem and Guardians Ad Litem, No. 14-AF00015-1 and 2, Probate Courts Nos. One and Two of Tarrant County (Appendix Two to the Court Rules for E-Filing, eff. Oct. 1, 2014)

The probate courts' uniform standing order (No. 14-AF00015-1 and 2, issued with the 2014 e-filing rules) waiving all county clerk filing fees and deposits for filings by court-appointed attorneys ad litem and guardians ad litem in every proceeding before the courts, extending the guardianship waiver of Estates Code § 1052.051(e) to all proceedings; the e-filing rules add that an ad litem must designate a 'waiver' account in the e-filing provider to secure the waiver.

Uniform Standing Order on Use of Depositions on Written Questions, No. 2015-AF00001, Probate Courts Nos. One and Two of Tarrant County (signed Jan. 27 and Feb. 5, 2015; file-marked Feb. 9, 2015), with the attached Procedure for Proof by Deposition on Written Questions (rev. Apr. 2014) — posted on Probate Court No. 1's Court Policies page

The two probate courts' uniform standing order (No. 2015-AF00001; signed Jan. 27 and Feb. 5, 2015, file-marked Feb. 9, 2015) adopting the attached Procedure for Proof by Deposition on Written Questions and directing the Probate Clerk to give a copy to every pro se filer: a party offering testimony by deposition on written questions must follow Estates Code § 51.203 (decedents' estates) or § 1051.253 (guardianships), which controls over TRCP; the procedure applies to proving a will's execution or the testator's handwriting and other uncontested proof; the attorney coordinates with the deposition official in the witness's location, files the written questions, a notice of intent and the clerk's information filing form; the clerk posts the notice and after the 10-day posting period furnishes a Package Envelope and a certified copy of the will; the attorney transmits the certified deposition and envelope to the deposition official with a prepaid return envelope (FedEx, UPS or USPS Delivery Confirmation); the official swears the witness, supervises the answers, completes the jurat, seals and returns the package to the Probate Clerk; at the hearing the attorney asks the court to take judicial notice of the answers. Attached forms: notice of intent, written questions for a subscribing witness, package envelope.

Local Rules of the Statutory Probate Courts of Tarrant County, Texas (dated Aug. 10, 1993; approved Sup. Ct. Misc. Docket No. 93-0187) — posted on the county's Probate Court No. 1 "Court Policies" page

The Local Rules of the Statutory Probate Courts of Tarrant County (dated Aug. 10, 1993; approved by the Supreme Court of Texas, Misc. Docket No. 93-0187, on a temporary basis; posted by Probate Court No. 1 under "Court Policies"), standing orders of both probate courts: pro se parties bound as counsel (1.02); case assignment equalized between the two courts with related cases to the prior court and an "A" suffix for ancillary matters (1.03); transfers between the probate courts by agreement of the judges, and § 5B transfers from district or county courts on motion (1.04); bankruptcy notice within three days (1.06); all papers filed with the Clerk, proposed orders presented after filing with ten days for objection unless approved by all counsel (1.07); conflicting-setting priorities with mental-health cases preferentially set (1.08); vacations, judicial absences, one-year dismissal dockets (1.09–1.11); attorney ad litem notice, reports and security for costs (1.12); Part 2 contested and ancillary matters — ADR referral, docket control orders, trial settings on 45 days' notice with 7-day objections, continuance motions five days before trial, dilatory pleas heard 30 days out, single second settings, exchange of witness/exhibit lists and video designations, certificate-of-conference motion practice, deposition guidelines (Tarrant County depositions, expert fees, ten-day notice presumption), ex parte certificates, and private process servers.

Statutory Probate Courts of Tarrant County, Texas — Uniform Standing Order Regarding Pro Se Applicants (rev. Aug. 17, 2011) — posted on Probate Court No. 1's Court Policies page

The Statutory Probate Courts of Tarrant County's Uniform Standing Order Regarding Pro Se Applicants (revised Aug. 17, 2011; posted by Probate Court No. 1): applicants for letters testamentary, letters of administration, heirship determinations and guardianships must be represented by a licensed attorney because a fiduciary acts for others — pro se fiduciary applications are the unauthorized practice of law and will not be allowed; the same policy covers next friends under TRCP 44, assigned claims, trustees and non-attorney amici; counsel is appointed only where state law mandates it, never for indigency; the clerk must accept pro se filings but the court takes no action on them without an attorney of record; pro se representation is permitted only for oneself — a sole-beneficiary muniment of title with no unsecured debts, a contestant not seeking appointment, a non-corporate creditor's claim, or a non-corporate party in an ancillary civil action; on a motion to withdraw with no substitute counsel the court takes the motion under advisement for 30 days and orders the representative to retain counsel within 30 days or face citation and show cause for removal; in contested matters a pro se appearance may be continued by written order up to 60 days to retain counsel, with dismissal for want of prosecution if none appears.

Tarrant County IV-D Courts — Policies and Procedures (page last modified Aug. 31, 2023), Tarrant County court web page

The county's posted policies for the two Title IV-D courts in the Family Law Center (page last modified Aug. 31, 2023) — IV-D Court One (Judge Casey Conine) and IV-D Court Two (Judge Cherami J. Blaney Jenkins): check in at the correct first-floor waiting room; expect to wait, possibly all day; dress appropriately (no shorts, tank tops or revealing clothing, or be sent to change); do not bring children — only the judge will reset a case with instructions when a child must be present; the Office of the Attorney General and Domestic Relations Office attorneys do not represent the parties, who may ask for time to hire counsel or request a hearing before the judge; the family law courts, including the IV-D courts, close when Fort Worth ISD closes for inclement weather; never contact a judge directly about a pending or potential case.

Tarrant County Veterans Treatment Court Policy and Procedure Manual (revised September 1, 2022) — posted on the Tarrant County Criminal Courts veterans-treatment-court page, tarrantcountytx.gov

The manual governs the Tarrant County Veterans Treatment Court (TCVTC), a post-arrest diversion program in lieu of prosecution: eligibility, the participant agreement's required and prohibited acts, treatment phases, drug screening, sanctions and incentives, fees, and graduation.

General Order Regarding Evidence, District Courts, County Courts at Law and County Court of Wichita County (signed Oct. 7, 2019) (wichitacountytx.com/download/standing-order-regarding-evidence; custody 2026-09-06).

A general order of the District Courts, County Courts at Law and County Court of Wichita County governing the format of media exhibits: accepted file formats, size limits, oversized-exhibit copies and text-searchable, OCR'd PDFs.

Order Sealing CPS Cases in the District and County Courts at Law for Wichita County (signed Dec. 21, 2018) (wichitacountytx.com/download/order-sealing-cps-cases; custody 2026-09-06).

A general order of the District and County Courts at Law of Wichita County sealing all files in which Child Protective Services or the Department of Family and Protective Services appears as petitioner.

The District Courts of Wichita County Standing Order Regarding Mandatory Disclosures in Tax Cases (signed Aug. 29, 2022) — TOPICs reg. doc 1868.

A standing order of the Wichita County District Courts exempting property-tax lawsuits from the automatic-disclosure requirement of Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 194.

Wichita County Eviction Case Procedure (wichitacountytx.com/download/eviction-procedure; custody 2026-09-06).

The eviction-filing procedure for the Wichita County Justice of the Peace courts: grounds, the notice to vacate, the local filing and service fees, the petition contents, the 10-to-21-day trial setting, service, judgment and the writ of possession.

Wichita County Justice Court — Information for Pro Se Litigants (wichitacountytx.com/download/information-for-pro-se; custody 2026-09-06).

The pro-se information sheet used by the Wichita County Justice of the Peace courts: the ex parte prohibition, the duty to serve copies of every filing, sanctions for violations, and legal-aid resources.

Wichita County Repair and Remedy Case Procedure (wichitacountytx.com/download/repair-and-remedy-procedure; custody 2026-09-06).

The repair-and-remedy filing procedure for the Wichita County Justice of the Peace courts under Property Code Chapter 92: the landlord's liability elements, the information and $166 fee required to file, and the citation, hearing, judgment and appeal.

Wichita County Small Claims Case Procedure (wichitacountytx.com/download/small-claims-procedure; custody 2026-09-06).

The small-claims filing procedure for the Wichita County Justice of the Peace courts: the $20,000 limit, suing a defendant in the correct legal capacity, the 14-day answer, subpoenas, and post-judgment abstract and writ of execution.

Wichita County Local Rules of Practice, approved by Supreme Court of Texas Misc. Docket No. 18-9111 (Aug. 24, 2018) — TOPICs reg. doc 76.

The master local rules for the District, Constitutional County and Statutory County Courts of Wichita County, approved by the Supreme Court of Texas (Misc. Docket 18-9111): conduct and decorum, continuances, case filing and assignment, trial settings and docket call, civil pretrial and ADR, district and county criminal procedure, and family procedure.

Wichita County Standing Orders in Family Law Cases (filed Mar. 26, 2024) — District Courts and County Courts at Law; TOPICs reg. doc 1867.

The county-wide family standing order of the District Courts and County Courts at Law of Wichita County, entered in every family law case until final hearing, enjoining the parties on communications, property, records, accounts, insurance, credit, electronic data, the children and substance use, and defining 'personal property'.

Wise County Court at Law No. 1 — Dockets (www.co.wise.tx.us/179; custody 2026-09-06).

The docket-appearance instruction for Wise County Court at Law No. 1: a case set for status or nisi review does not require a court appearance on that date.

Wise County Court at Law No. 2 — Courtroom Decorum (www.co.wise.tx.us/186; county-site page, custody 2026-09-06).

The courtroom-decorum requirements for Wise County Court at Law No. 2 (Judge Dana Manoushagian): rising for the court, approaching the bench only with permission, security screening, the electronic-device and weapons bans, attorney attire, and prohibited items.

Wise County Court at Law No. 2 (Judge Dana Manoushagian) home page (www.co.wise.tx.us/183; custody 2026-09-06).

The office hours, filing routing and courtroom location for Wise County Court at Law No. 2: the judge's office does not accept filings, which are mailed to the appropriate clerk, and the court sits at the Wise County Annex in Bridgeport.

Wise County Court at Law No. 2 — Dockets (www.co.wise.tx.us/187; custody 2026-09-06).

The docket-appearance instruction for Wise County Court at Law No. 2: a case set for status or nisi review does not require a court appearance on that date.

Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Courtroom Attire (www.co.wise.tx.us/211; custody 2026-09-06).

The courtroom-attire requirement for Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: proper dress is required and non-compliance may result in a reset or contempt.

Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Filing a Case in Justice Court (www.co.wise.tx.us/218; custody 2026-09-06).

The self-represented filing guide for Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: the case types, the documents required to file, and the local filing and service fees with payment instructions.

Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 — Courtroom Attire (www.co.wise.tx.us/251; custody 2026-09-06).

The courtroom-attire requirement for Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4: proper dress is required and non-compliance may result in a reset or contempt.

Remote Detention Hearing Procedures under Tex. Fam. Code § 54.012 (submitted to OCA Nov. 27, 2023) — 271st District Court, County Courts at Law Nos. 1 & 2; TOPICs reg. doc 1727.

The plan under Family Code § 54.012 adopted by the 271st District Court and County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2 for conducting juvenile detention hearings as remote proceedings, with participant duties for cross-examination, camera views and the handling of evidence.

Wise County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties (eff. Sept. 1, 2022) — 271st District Court, County Courts at Law Nos. 1 & 2; TOPICs reg. doc 1156.

The county-wide family standing order entered in every divorce and suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed in Wise County, jointly adopted by the 271st District Court and County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2. Nine numbered sections restrain both parties on the conduct of the children, their communication with each other, the preservation of property and records, insurance, and the specific expenditures each party remains authorized to make; it operates as a temporary restraining order and then a temporary injunction, and orders the parties to mediate.

Wise County Standing Order Re: Sealing of Adoptions (signed Sept. 12, 2022) — 271st District Court, County Courts at Law Nos. 1 & 2; TOPICs reg. doc 1158.

A records-access standing order of the 271st District Court and County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2: all adoption files in Wise County are sealed and confidential, accessible only for good cause on order of the issuing court.

Wise County Standing Order Re: Sealing of Child Protective Service Cases (signed June 26, 2025) — 271st District Court, County Courts at Law Nos. 1 & 2; TOPICs reg. doc 2447.

A records-access standing order of the 271st District Court and County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2 sealing Child Protective Service case files in Wise County.

Wise County Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (signed May 5, 2026; filed May 6, 2026) — 271st District Court, County Courts at Law Nos. 1 & 2; TOPICs reg. doc 2954.

The Wise County artificial-intelligence regime, adopted by the 271st District Court and County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2: any self-represented litigant or attorney who uses AI must sign and submit a certification before using AI-generated information in a court submission.

Wise County Standing Order Re: Use of Full Name of Minor (made eff. Aug. 26, 2014; re-signed Oct. 12, 2022) — 271st District Court, County Courts at Law Nos. 1 & 2; TOPICs reg. doc 1157.

A civil pleading requirement adopted by the 271st District Court and County Courts at Law Nos. 1 and 2: in any civil case filed in Wise County, the full name of a minor who is a party must appear in the style and in the body of the pleadings.

Eighth (8th) Administrative Judicial Region, Rules of Administration (TOPICs reg. doc. 325)

The Eighth Administrative Judicial Region's Rules of Administration (promulgated under Article 200a-1, V.T.C.S., and the Supreme Court Rules of Judicial Administration adopted February 4, 1987), as registered in TOPICs (posted 01/01/2023): case-disposition time standards, county reporting, boards-of-judges local-rule mandates, jury and absence plans, and conflicting-engagement procedures. The registered document is the controlling text.

First (1st) Court of Appeals, 2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation (TOPICs reg. doc. 1354)

2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 05/08/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals, 2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation (TOPICs reg. doc. 1355)

2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 05/08/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.