County Court at Law No. 1 Rules of Conduct of Counsel While in Trial

High confidence· verified August 24, 2026Local RulesGalveston County, County Court at Law No. 1 Rules of Conduct of Counsel While in Trial (galvestoncountytx.gov, posted document)

Summary

County Court at Law No. 1 Rules of Conduct of Counsel While in Trial — Galveston County. The operative requirements are quoted verbatim from the governing document (registered/posted posted); the document in custody is the controlling text.

Applies to

Texas > Galveston County > County Court at Law No. 1

Requirement

COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 1 RULES OF CONDUCT OF COUNSEL WHILE IN TRIAL The following rules are to be adhered to during trial. If there is any that you object to or do not understand, I will gladly discuss them with you in chambers with opposing counsel present. A. GENERAL: 1. Be on time for court! 2. Make your objections briefly and on legal grounds (no speaking objections or jury speeches). 3. Stand to object or to address the bench. 4. Do not make sidebar remarks, either directly or indirectly. 5. Do not respond to opposing counsel's objection unless I ask you to do so. 6. Do not argue with my rulings. 7. Do not talk at the same time that opposing counsel, a witness, or I am talking. 8. Do not use racist, sexist, obscene or profane language in court (unless, of course, you're eliciting quotes or facts in the case). B. VOIR DIRE: 1. Do not attempt to ingratiate yourself with jurors by telling personal anecdotes, etc. 2. Do not argue your case or attempt to pledge the jury on voir dire. C. TESTIMONY: 1. Have all exhibits marked and logged in with the court reporter before trial begins. 2. Have your witnesses present and ready to testify when needed. 3. Address witnesses as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", "Miss", "Dr.", etc. No first names, except for children. This includes the defendant. 4. Do not make editorial comments after a witness's answer. 5. Do not ask repetitive questions. 6. Do not request a bench conference except under extraordinary circumstances. Jurors do not like them. 7. Never point a firearm in the direction of anyone in the courtroom. 8. Ask my permission to approach a witness on the stand. D. ARGUMENT: 1. Stay in the record. 2. Do not try to answer opposing counsel's argument in an objection. Judge Mary Nell Crapitto County Court No. 1

Source of truth

Official source: Galveston County District Courts — galvestoncountytx.gov (county site tree)
Source health: Healthy · checked October 23, 2026
Effective date: —
Last verified: August 24, 2026benchpath-ajr11-p7-2026-08-24

Reviewer note: Complete document text quoted verbatim (whitespace-normalized); the posted document (sha256 79c7c70bc98c…) is the controlling custody copy.

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