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Rules of Decorum for the Courts of Dallas County (Appendix 2 to the Local Rules, rev. 12/7/05), as registered standalone in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 03/06/2026; also embedded in the registered Local Rules book): scope, formal opening and closing, conduct required of all persons attending court, counsel and court-officer conduct including the attire code, and the bailiff's duties. Compliance is acknowledged by entering an appearance under Local Rule 4.07.
Texas > Dallas County > Civil District Courts and County Courts at Law Nos. 1–5 (the appendix's own Rule 1 scope)
1. COURTS WHERE APPLICABLE: the rules "shall be applicable to and shall govern cases tried in the Civil District Courts and County Courts at Law of Dallas County, Texas." 4. CONDUCT REQUIRED OF ALL PERSONS (unless otherwise permitted by the trial judge): no reading of unrelated newspapers or magazines; "No bottles, paper cups or beverage containers into the courtroom"; no food; no feet on furniture; no sitting on tables or railings; no walking through, sleeping, or loitering during proceedings; no noise or talking outside proper participation; no gum; overcoats and hats removed before entering; "all cell phones, pagers, or other electronic devices … turned off or configured … to prevent any interruption"; and no person shall "by any facial expression, nonverbal gesture, guttural utterances, or any other conduct exhibit approval or disapproval of any testimony." 5. CONDUCT REQUIRED OF COURT OFFICERS: promptness at all sessions; "All male lawyers and court officials shall wear coats and ties in connection with any court appearance"; female lawyers dress "in keeping with proper courtroom decorum"; never appropriate: casual cotton pants, denim, "any tight, short, sleeveless or revealing clothing," shorts, sweat suits, leggings, t-shirts, golf shirts, athletic footwear, flip flops, and casual sandals. "In addressing the Judge, lawyers shall at all times rise and remain standing … from their position at the counsel table," remaining at counsel table while interrogating witnesses except to handle exhibits; the Judge addressed respectfully and impersonally; no leaning on the bench; clients and witnesses kept from the clerk's office and Chambers absent direction. "After jury voir dire no attorney shall address a juror individually or by name without having first obtained leave of Court. During jury argument no attorney shall ever address a juror individually or by name." No arguments on objections in the jury's presence — counsel asks to exclude the jury or approach; no approaching the Bench or a witness without permission; no leaving the courtroom after appearing without permission; only participating counsel and clients sit at counsel table; no requesting court staff to give commencement notice. 6. BAILIFFS: present whenever the Court sits or recesses unless excused; displays and protects the United States and Texas flags; "shall enforce all rules of conduct and decorum."
Reviewer note: Operative provisions quoted verbatim from the registered document (OCR: OTEHRWISE→OTHERWISE normalized); registered standalone and as Appendix 2 of the Local Rules book (doc 2852) — one rule row, cross-referenced; custody sha256 in the registry ledger (doc 2853); the county's district-clerk page hosts the same rules standalone (lrdecorum.pdf) verified text-identical (similarity 1.000 — a re-post; own-site custody sha in the crawl ledger); the 134th also hosts the same rules as Local Rules Appendix 2 (similarity 1.000).
Tenth (10th) Court of Appeals — Standing Order No. 1, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.
Tenth (10th) Court of Appeals — Standing Order No. 2, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.