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Chapter VII, Section Six, Rules 7.12 to 7.17: minimum standards of competence for attorneys appearing in juvenile proceedings (7.12); certification of competency and attorneys not meeting the standards (7.13 to 7.13.2); caseloads for appointed children's counsel (7.14); training and education, and a new Certificate of Competency every three (3) years in dependency matters (7.15 to 7.15.2); the obligations of counsel for dependent children and the conflict of interest guidelines for siblings (7.15.3 to 7.15.4); training and renewal in juvenile justice matters (7.15.5 to 7.15.6); complaints about appointed attorneys - notice of the procedure, a written complaint, a copy to the attorney within 10 days and 20 days to respond, the court's action, the attorney's request for hearing, and an oral request for a new attorney (7.16 to 7.16.9); and informing the court of a dependent child's interests (7.17).
California > Fifth Appellate District > Kern County > Superior Court of California, County of Kern
Section Six – Attorney Competency Standards Rule 7.12 General Competency Requirements (Effective 7/1/03, rev. 7/1/17; rev. 1/1/20; rev. 1/1/25) (a) All attorneys appearing in juvenile proceedings must meet minimum standards of competence as set forth in these rules. These rules are applicable to attorneys employed by public agencies and attorneys appointed by the court to represent any party, as well as attorneys who are privately retained to represent a party. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) (b) Every party in a juvenile dependency proceeding who is represented by an attorney is entitled to competent counsel (Welfare and Institutions Code section 317.5, California Rules of Court, rule 5.660(d)). “Competent counsel” means an attorney who is a member in good standing of the State Bar of California, who has participated in training in the law of juvenile dependency, and who demonstrates adequate forensic skills, knowledge and comprehension of the statutory scheme, the purposes and goals of dependency proceedings, the specific statutes, rules of court, and cases relevant to such proceedings, and procedures for filing petitions for extraordinary writs. (California Rules of Court, rule 5.660(d)(1)) (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) (c) Every party in a juvenile justice proceeding who is represented by an attorney is entitled to competent counsel (Welfare and Institutions Code section 634.3, California Rules of Court, rule 5.664). “Competent counsel” means an attorney who is a member, in good standing, of the State Bar of California, who provides representation in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code section 634.3(a)(1)-(3), and who has participated in training in the law and practice of juvenile justice as defined in this rule. (California Rules of Court, rule 5.664(a)) (Effective 7/1/17; rev. 1/1/20) (d) These rules are established to comply with California Rules of Court, rules 5.660 and 5.664 (Effective 1/1/25) Rule 7.13 Attorney Screening and Standards of Representation (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) Rule 7.13.1 Certification of Competency (Effective 7/1/03, rev. 7/1/17; rev. 1/1/20) All Public Defenders, County Counsel and appointed attorneys who represent parties in Juvenile Court proceedings shall meet the minimum standards of training and/or experience set forth in these rules. Any appointed attorney, Public Defender or County Counsel appearing in a dependency matter for the first time shall complete and submit a Certification of Competency to the court within ten days of his or her first appearance in a dependency matter. Any appointed attorney or Public Defender appearing in a juvenile justice matter for the first time shall complete and submit a Certification of Competency or Declaration of Eligibility for Appointment (Judicial Council Form JV-700) to the court within ten days of his or her first appearance in a juvenile justice matter. Rule 7.13.2 Attorneys Not Meeting Standards (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/07) Upon submission of a Certification of Competency which demonstrates that the attorney has met the minimum standards for training and/or experience, the court may determine, based on conduct or performance of counsel before the court in a dependency case within the six month period prior to the submission of a certification to the court, that a particular attorney does not meet minimum competency standards. In such cases, the court shall proceed as set forth in Rule 7.15 hereinafter. Rule 7.14 Determining Appropriate Caseloads for Appointed Children’s Counsel (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) The attorney for the child must have a caseload that allows the attorney to perform the full range of duties required by Welfare and Institutions Code section 317(e), California Rules of Court, rule 5.660, the rules of the California State Bar Standards of Professional Conduct, and these rules, and to otherwise adequately counsel and represent the child. To enhance the quality of representation afforded to children, attorneys appointed under Welfare and Institutions Code section 317(e) must not maintain a maximum full-time caseload that is greater than that which allows them to meet requirements set forth in relevant statutes, California Rules of Court, rules 5.660(d)(3) (Experience and education), (d)(4) (Standards of representation and (d)(5) (Attorney contact information) and these local rules of court, particularly those requirements that relate to experience and education and standards of representation. Rule 7.15 Minimum Standards of Education and Training (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) Rule 7.15.1 Training and Educational Requirements – Dependency (Effective 7/1/03, rev. 7/1/17; rev. 1/1/20) Each attorney appointed to appear in a dependency matter before the Juvenile Court shall not seek certification of competency and shall not be certified by the court as competent until the attorney has completed the following minimum training and educational requirements. To obtain a Certification of Competency, counsel shall have: (a) Completed a minimum of eight (8) hours of training or education in juvenile dependency. Training or education shall include an overview of dependency law and related case law and statutes, rules of court, Judicial Council forms, motions, trial techniques and skills, writs and appeals, and topics including parentage, child development, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, domestic violence, family reunification and preservation and reasonable efforts. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) (b) At least six (6) months experience in dependency proceedings in which the attorney has demonstrated competence in the attorney’s representation of his or her clients in said proceedings. To qualify for certification under this paragraph, the attorney must have made a substantial number of appearances and handled a variety of dependency hearings, including contested hearings. In determining whether the attorney has demonstrated competence, the court shall consider whether the attorney has demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the topics listed in paragraph (a) of this subdivision. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) (c) For any attorney appointed to represent a child, instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in out-of-home placement. (Effective 1/1/20) Rule 7.15.2 Renewal of Certification of Competency – Dependency (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 7/1/17) (a) In order to retain his or her certification to practice before the Juvenile Court, each attorney who has been previously certified by the court shall submit a new Certificate of Competency to the court every three (3) years after initial certification. The attorney shall attach the renewal Certification of Competency as evidence that he or she has completed at least eight (8) hours of continuing training or education directly related to dependency proceedings since the attorney was last certified. Evidence of completion of the required number of hours of training or education may include a copy of a certification of attendance issued by a California MCLE provider; a certificate of attendance issued by a professional organization which provides training and/or education for its members, whether or not it is a MCLE provider, a copy of the training or education program schedule, together with evidence of attendance of such program; or such other documentation as may reasonably be considered to demonstrate the attorney’s attendance at such program. Attendance at a court sponsored or approved program will also fulfill this requirement. (b) The attorney’s continuing training or education shall be in the areas set forth in Rule 5.660(d)(3), or in other areas related to juvenile dependency practice including, but not limited to, special education, mental health, health care, immigration issues, the Rules of Evidence, adoption, practice and parentage issues, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act, the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, state and federal public assistance programs, the Indian Child Welfare Act, client interviewing and counseling techniques, case investigation and settlement negotiations, mediation, basic motion practice and Rules of Civil Procedure. (Effective 7/1/03, rev. 7/1/17) Rule 7.15.3 Obligations for Attorneys Representing Dependent Children (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/06; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) Counsel for the child or the counsel’s agents are expected to: (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (a) Advocate for the protection, safety, and physical and emotional well-being of the child or nonminor dependent. (Effective 1/1/20) (b) Meet regularly with the child, and to have sufficient personal contact with the child to establish and maintain an adequate and professional attorney-client relationship. The child’s attorney or attorney’s agent must have personal contact with the child prior to the jurisdictional hearing and, thereafter, as often as competent representation requires. In no event shall such subsequent personal contact occur less than once every six (6) months after assumption of jurisdiction. The attorney or attorney’s agent shall interview all children four (4) years or older in person. Whenever possible, the child shall be interviewed at the child’s placement. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (c) Explain fully, consistent with the child’s ability to understand, the nature and consequences of the court proceedings. (d) Contact social workers and other professionals associated with the child’s case; to work with other counsel and the court to resolve disputed aspects of a case without contested hearing, if possible; and to adhere to the mandated timelines. (Effective 1/1/20) (e) Have sufficient contact with the child’s caregiver, CASA, if any, and/or therapist, if any, to assess accurately the child’s well-being and needs. (f) Monitor the child’s development throughout the course of the proceedings and advocate for services that will provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for the child. (g) Maintain a caseload that allows the attorney to perform the duties required by Welfare and Institution Code section 317(e) and California Rules of Court, rule 5.660, and to otherwise adequately counsel and represent the child/nonminors dependent. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/06; rev. 1/1/20) (h) Immediately inform the court of any interest or right of the child which may need to be protected or pursued in other judicial or administrative forums and seek instructions from the court as to the appropriate procedure to follow. Rule 7.15.4 Conflict of Interest Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Siblings (California Rules of Court, rule 5.660(c)) (Effective 1/1/20) (a) The court may appoint a single attorney to represent a group of siblings involved in the same dependency proceeding. An attorney must decline to represent one or more siblings in a dependency proceeding, and the court must appoint a separate attorney to represent the sibling or siblings, if, at the outset of the proceedings an actual conflict of interest exists among those siblings or circumstances specific to the case present a reasonable likelihood that an actual conflict of interest will arise among those siblings. (b) The following circumstances, standing alone, do not necessarily demonstrate an actual conflict of interest or a reasonable likelihood that an actual conflict of interest will arise: There is a purely theoretical or abstract conflict of interest among the siblings, some of the siblings appear more likely than others to be adoptable; the siblings may have different permanent plans, the siblings express conflicting desires, but the issues involved are not material to the case, or the siblings give different or contradictory accounts of the events, but the issues involved are not material to the case. Conflicting reports regarding abuse from siblings, however may represent an actual conflict of interest. (c) An attorney representing children has an ongoing duty to evaluate the interests of each child and assess whether there is an actual conflict of interest. If an attorney believes that an actual conflict has developed during representation, he or she must take any action necessary to ensure that the siblings’ interests are not prejudiced, including notifying the court of the conflict and requesting to withdraw from representation of some or all of the siblings. Rule 7.15.5 Training and Educational Requirements – Juvenile Justice (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) Only those attorneys who, during each of the most recent three calendar years, have dedicated at least 50 percent of their practice to juvenile justice and demonstrated competence or who have completed a minimum of 12 hours of training or education during the most recent 12-month period in the area of juvenile justice, may be appointed to represent youth. To obtain a Certification of Competency, counsel shall have completed training in the following areas: (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (a) An overview of juvenile justice laws and related statutes and cases; (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (b) Trial skills, including drafting and filing pretrial motions, introducing evidence at trial, preserving the record for appeal, filing writs, notices of appeal, and post-trial motions; (c) Advocacy at the detention and dispositional phases; (d) Child and adolescent development, including training on interviewing and working with adolescent clients; (e) Competence and mental health issues, including capacity to commit a crime and the effects of trauma, child abuse, and family violence, as well as crossover issues presented by youth involved in the dependency system; (f) Police interrogation methods, suggestibility of juveniles, and false confessions; (g) Counsel’s ethical duties, including racial, ethnic, and cultural understanding and addressing bias; (h) Cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth, and questioning youth; (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (i) Understanding of the effects of and how to work with victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth; (j) Immigration consequences and the requirements of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status; (k) General and special education, including information on school discipline; (l) Extended foster care; (m) Substance abuse; (n) How to secure effective rehabilitative resources, including information on available community-based resources; (o) Direct and collateral consequences of court involvement; (p) Transfer of jurisdiction to criminal courts hearings and advocacy in adult court; (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (q) Appellate advocacy; (r) Advocacy in the post dispositional phase. Rule 7.15.6 Renewal of Certificate of Competency – Juvenile Justice (California Rules of Court, rule 5.663(c)) (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (a) In order to retain his or her certification to practice before the juvenile court in juvenile justice matters, each attorney who has been previously certified by the court shall complete at least eight (8) hours per calendar year of continuing education, for a total of 24 hours, during each MCLE compliance period. (Effective 7/1/17; rev. 1/1/20) (b) Counsel shall submit a new Certificate of Competency to the court every three (3) years after initial certification. The attorney shall attach the renewal Certification of Competency as evidence that he or she has completed at least eight (8) hours of continuing training or education directly related to delinquency proceedings since the attorney was last certified. Evidence of completion of the required number of hours of training or education may include a copy of a certification of attendance issued by a California MCLE provider; a certificate of attendance issued by a professional organization which provides training and/or education for its members, whether or not it is a MCLE provider, a copy of the training or education program schedule, together with evidence of attendance of such program; or such other documentation as may reasonably be considered to demonstrate the attorney’s attendance at such program. Attendance at a court sponsored or approved program will also fulfill this requirement. (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (c) The attorney’s continuing annual training or education shall be in the areas set forth in California Rules of Court, rule 5.664(b)(2). (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (d) An attorney who is eligible to represent youth in juvenile justice matters for only a portion of the corresponding MCLE compliance period must complete training hours in proportion to the amount of time the attorney was eligible. An attorney who is eligible to represent youth in juvenile justice proceedings for only a portion of a calendar year must complete two (2) hours of training for every three (3) months of eligibility. The 12 hours total initial training may be applied toward the continuing training requirements for the first compliance period. (Effective 7/1/17; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) Rule 7.16 Procedures for Reviewing and Resolving Complaints and Requests for Appointment of New Counsel (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) Rule 7.16.1 Notice of Complaint Procedures (Effective 7/1/03; renum. 1/1/20) Each appointed attorney shall give written notice to his or her adult client of the procedure for lodging complaints with the court concerning the performance of an appointed attorney. The notice shall be given to the client within ten (10) days of the attorney’s appointment to represent the client. Evidence that a copy of said notice was given or mailed to the client shall be provided to the court within ten (10) days of a request from the court. In the case of a minor client, the notice shall be mailed or given to the current caretaker of the child. If the minor is twelve (12) years of age or older, a copy of the notice shall also be sent to the minor Rule 7.16.2 Written Complaint (Effective 7/1/03; renum. 1/1/20) Any party to a juvenile court proceeding may lodge a written complaint with the court concerning the performance of his or her appointed attorney in a juvenile court proceeding. In the case of a complaint concerning the performance of an attorney appointed to represent a minor, the complaint may be lodged on the child’s behalf by the social worker, a relative caretaker or a foster parent. Rule 7.16.3 Court Response to Complaint (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) (a) Upon a receipt of a written complaint, a copy of the complaint shall be provided to the attorney in question and his or her supervisor, if any, within 10 days of receipt by the court. The Attorney shall have 20 days from the date of the notice to respond to the complaint in writing. The attorney should attempt to obtain an informal resolution of the matter before responding to the complaint. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (b) The court shall review the complaint to determine if the complaint presents reasonable cause to believe that the attorney may have failed to act competently or has violated local rules. The court may ask the complainant or the attorney for additional information before making a determination on the complaint. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (c) If the court finds that the attorney acted contrary to the rules or policies of the court, the court may: reprove the attorney, either privately or publicly, order that the attorney practice under the supervision of a mentor attorney for a period of at least six (6) months, or order that the attorney complete a specified number of hours of training or education in the area in which the attorney was found to have acted incompetently. In egregious cases, the court may refer the matter to the State Bar for further action. (Effective 1/1/20) (d) The court may also schedule a hearing on the complaint, in which case the party and the attorney shall be notified of their right to be present. Any hearing shall occur within 30 days of the date the complaint is received by the court. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (e) The court may rule on the complaint in writing. The court will notify the attorney at the attorney’s address of record and the complaining party in writing of its determination of the complaint. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) Rule 7.16.4 Court Action upon Complaint (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) If, after a hearing on the issue or the court’s review of the written materials provided, the court finds that the attorney acted contrary to the law, the rules of professional responsibility, or the rules of the court, the court may relieve the attorney and appoint other counsel to represent the party. Rule 7.16.5 Notification to Attorney and Complaining Party (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) In the event of a hearing, the court may take the matter under submission, or the court may render an oral ruling at the conclusion of the hearing. Absent such an oral ruling, the court shall send its written ruling on the complaint to the attorney and the complaining party within 24 hours of issuing the written ruling. If no hearing was held, the attorney shall have 10 days after the date of the written ruling to request a hearing before the court concerning the court’s proposed action. If the attorney does not request a hearing within that period of time, the court’s determination shall become final. Rule 7.16.6 Attorney Request for Hearing (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/07; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) If the attorney requests a hearing, the attorney shall serve a copy of the request on the complaining party. The hearing shall be held as soon as practicable after the attorney’s request therefore, but in no case shall it be held more than 30 days after it has been requested, except by stipulation of the parties, or other good cause. The complainant and the attorney shall each be given at least 10 days’ notice of the hearing. The hearing shall not be open to the public. Rule 7.16.7 Conduct of Hearing (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) At the hearing, the complainant and the attorney shall have the right to present arguments with respect to the court’s determination. Such arguments shall be based on the evidence before the court at the time the determination was made. No new evidence may be presented unless the party offering such evidence can show that it was not reasonably available to the party at the time that the court made its initial determination with respect to the complaint. Within ten (10) days after the hearing, the court shall issue a written determination upholding, reversing or amending the court’s original determination. This decision shall be the final determination of the court with respect to the matter. A copy of the hearing decision shall be provided to both the complainant and the attorney, as well as the Indigent Defense Program administrator if the attorney has been appointed to the case as a member of the IDP, the County Counsel if the attorney is a Deputy County Counsel, or to the Public Defender if the attorney is a Deputy Public Defender. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) Rule 7.16.8 Nothing in these rules precludes any person or public agency from pursuing rights afforded them by any other statute or rule of law. (Effective 1/1/20) Rule 7.16.9 Oral Request for a New Attorney (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) During any hearing in a juvenile proceeding, a party may make an oral request for his or her attorney to be relieved and for new counsel to be appointed. When such a request is made, the court shall suspend the proceedings and conduct a closed hearing where only the court, necessary courtroom personnel, the party requesting that his/her attorney be relieved, and that attorney, will be present. After hearing the basis for the request to substitute appointed counsel, and hearing from the defense attorney, if the court determines there is good cause to relieve the attorney, the attorney shall be relieved and a new attorney appointed. The juvenile proceeding shall then be continued to permit the new attorney to become familiar with the case. If the court determines there is not good cause to relieve the attorney, the hearing shall resume with the attorney continuing to represent the party. The transcript of the proceeding will be sealed. Rule 7.17 Procedures for Informing the Court of the Interests of a Dependent Child (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20) (a) At any time during the pendency of a dependency proceeding, any interested person may notify the court that the minor who is the subject of the proceeding may have an interest or right which needs to be protected or pursued in another judicial or administrative forum. If counsel for the minor becomes aware that the minor may have a right or interest which needs to be protected or pursued in another judicial or administrative forum, counsel for the minor shall notify the court of such right or interest as soon as it is reasonably possible for counsel to do so. (b) Notice to the court may be given by the filing of Judicial Council Form JV-180 (Request to Change Court Order) or by the filing of a declaration, or, in the case of an individual who is not a party to the action, by sending a signed letter addressed to the court. In either case, the person giving notice shall set forth the nature of the interest or right which needs to be protected or pursued, the name and address, if known, of the administrative agency or judicial forum in which the right or interest may be affected and the nature of the proceedings being contemplated or conducted there, and any case number or other identifying information regarding the proceeding. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. 1/1/20) (c) A copy of the notice must be served on the child’s social worker and on the child’s attorney and/or CASA before the notice is filed with the court. Such service may be effected by personal service, first-class mail, or the equivalent, and must be indicated on a proof of service filed with the notice. In the case of an individual who is not a party to the action who files a letter with the court, the clerk of the court will serve a copy of the letter on the child’s social worker and on the child’s attorney and/or CASA. (Effective 1/1/20) (d) The court may set a hearing on the notice if the court deems it necessary in order to determine the nature of the child’s right or interest or whether said interest should be protected or pursued. (e) If the court determines that further action is required, the court may do one or more of the following: (Effective 1/1/20) 1. Authorize an attorney to pursue the matter on the child’s behalf in the other forum on a pro bono or contingency basis. 2. Appoint a guardian ad litem for the child to make decisions on the child’s behalf related to the potential civil proceedings. Upon the filing of an action in another forum, the court may reappoint the guardian ad litem appointed by the juvenile court or appoint a different person as guardian ad litem for the child pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 372. 3. Notice a joinder hearing pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 362, subdivision (b), compelling a responsible agency to report to the court as to whether it has fulfilled its legal obligation to provide services to the child. 4. Take such other action the court may deem necessary or appropriate to protect the welfare, interests, and rights of the child. (f) The child’s attorney shall inform the court in writing at least every six (6) months of the status of any non-dependency-related litigation or potential litigation involving a child/nondependent minor. (Effective 7/1/03; rev. and renum. 1/1/20)
Section Six – Attorney Competency Standards Rule 7.12 General Competency Requirements (Effective 7/1/03, rev. 7/1/17; rev. 1/1/20; rev. 1/1/25) (a) All attorneys appearing in juvenile proceedings must meet minimum standards of competence as set forth in these rules. These rules are applicable to attorneys employed by public agencies and attorneys appointed by the court to represent any party, as w
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-14 (California T4 Kern build 2026-10-14) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-kern/docs/general/local-rules-court-effective-7126.pdf (the court's rule book, its cover “LOCAL RULES OF COURT SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN July 1, 2026”, as fetched 2026-10-14; 1712899 bytes, sha256 374bf0cba1a66f90bd6bea59ca9523d5149362ef14f0d1edc454e76ac5738a83; 138 pages; this part PDF pages 102 to 109, printed pages 101 to 108) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow): the rules (PDF pages 14 to 128) composed as one text and cut at the chapter headings (“Chapter I. General Rules” to “Chapter IX. Court Communication Protocol for Domestic Violence and Child Custody Orders”) and, in Chapters I, III, VI, VII and VIII, at rule or section headings (“Rule 1.8”, “Rule 1.12”, “Rule 3.14”, “Rule 6.10”, “Rule 7.4”, “Section Three – Proceedings”, “Section Six – Attorney Competency Standards”, “Rule 8.10”), each matched once as a whole line; every page's running header (“SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF KERN”, named) and printed page number (“13” to “127”) removed as chrome - 230 chrome lines; lines reflowed into the rules' paragraphs, each chapter heading, rule heading, Preamble, section heading and lettered or numbered subdivision starting a line; Rules 1.17 and 1.21's ruled tables (PDF pages 32 and 33, 38 and 39) set a row a line, its cells left to right (the composer's table rows); the strike report (review/strike-report-2026-10-14.txt) finds no struck run; 27 whitespace-only fixes (build/book-fixes.json: 7 line breaks the reflow left before a reference or an inline list item at the paragraph's own margin, rejoined; 19 runs of rows the reflow ran together, split - Rule 1.8.1's two fee tables and the court's mailing address, Rule 3.3.1's regional courts and their telephone numbers, Rule 3.6(a)'s scale of fees, and the side heading “Preamble” of Chapters VI and VII; 1 word the page break split at its hyphen, closed up - “20-calendar-day”); the vertical-gap, short-line, page-break, false-break, structural-break and row-join audits (review/book-gap-audit-2026-10-14.txt, review/book-short-lines-2026-10-14.txt and its run after the fixes, review/book-extra-audits-2026-10-14.txt) list candidates read one by one (build/book_fixes.py) - the rest kept as printed; proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass. The cover (PDF page 1), the table of contents (2 to 13) and the index (129 to 138) belong to no card; Appendix A, a separate document, is decided in the document catalog (held for the table lane, with a review task).
Division XI: information forms for data processing (Rule 11.2); required action - action taken on all calendared cases and a future date always set (Rule 11.19); and pro tem judges - an attorney named as a plaintiff in a civil or small claims case may not sit as a judge pro-tem during the case or within six months following its resolution, nor one named as a defendant in two or more such cases (Rule 11.22). Rules 11.1, 11.3 to 11.5, 11.7 to 11.18, 11.20 and 11.21 are repealed, and Rule 11.6 (voluntary arbitration; see Local Rule 10.2) was repealed and renumbered.
Duval County's indigent-defense and magistration rules under the Texas Fair Defense Act (S.B. 7): who may be booked into the county jail and on what paper; arrest-case numbering; presentment to a magistrate within 48 hours (art. 15.16); the magistrate's warnings, counsel inquiry, interpreter duty, indigence determination and appointment of counsel within 24 hours of a request; the alternative appointment plan under art. 26.04(g)-(h) with annual applications, seven attorney categories (capital, first and second degree, third degree/state jail/misdemeanor, competency, appeals, post-conviction, extradition), CLE and experience standards, random rotation within each category, written acceptance within 48 hours, first contact by the end of the next working day, replacement and suspension of counsel, fee applications within five days of completing services and the compensation attachment ($500 pleas; $175/$150 hourly; $1,400 per jury-trial day; appellate caps); bail schedules by offense class with a personal bond office (fee $20 or 3%), pre-trial supervision and revocation hearings within two working days; arraignment settings and notice; repeal of conflicting rules.