N.D. Tex. LCrR 55.1 — Case Files: the court's own rule, verbatim from LOCAL CRIMINAL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (Effective September 1, 2026), official PDF, sha-custodied. Court-level requirement: applies in every case before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas alongside the federal rules and any judge-specific procedures.
(a) Official Record. The electronic version of a document maintained on ECF, or the paper version of a document not so maintained, is the official record of the court. (b) Inspection of Files. Except as otherwise limited by rule or by court order, the electronic portion of an original file in a pending or closed case shall be available for public inspection in the clerk’s office. The paper portion of an original file shall be available in the division where the case is filed, unless the file has been removed to a federal records center. The clerk shall not release the paper portion of a file from the clerk’s custody without the permission of the presiding judge, or except as permitted by subsection (d) of this rule. (c) Inspection of Closed Files. [REPEALED] (d) Copies of Files. Upon request, the clerk shall provide copies of the contents of case files, including transcripts of oral depositions and court proceedings. The clerk shall charge the fee established by the court for this service. When large numbers of copies are requested, the clerk is authorized to release the file to a commercial copying service, and to direct that the fee charged be paid directly to the service.
(a) Official Record. The electronic version of a document maintained on ECF, or the paper version of a document not so maintained, is the official record of the court. (b) Inspection of Files. Except as otherwise limited by rule or by court order, the electronic portion of an ori